How can I floss my teeth without hurting my gums?

Flossing tips Use a gentle “rocking” motion to guide the floss between your teeth. Do not snap the floss into the gums. When the floss reaches your gumline, curve it into a C-shape against a tooth until you feel resistance. Hold the floss against the tooth.

Can I damage my gums by flossing?

Flossing too much damages your gums. They can get irritated and swollen, and even bleed. You might think this is a sign you aren’t flossing enough, and go at it even more aggressively. If you’re this type of flosser, you’re probably sawing away at your gums and teeth.

Should you floss with inflamed gums?

Flossing removes food particles that remain in between your teeth and can cause plaque and tartar build-up, both of which can lead to gum disease and inflamed gums. Also, be gentle when flossing to avoid inflamed gums.

Should your gums move when flossing?

While flossing, you will want to gently move the floss around each tooth and should not touch the gums. Moving the floss in the opposite direction of the gum line can help decrease the risk hitting the gums while you floss.

How can I make flossing easier?

Twist the loose ends of the floss around your index fingers so you can move the floss around easily. Press the floss between the two teeth as gently as you can. Then, move the floss up and down along the sides of both teeth. When working on your top teeth, try to make an upside-down U with the floss.

Can flossing damage your gums?

To get the floss to go between a tight contact between two adjacent teeth, try working the floss back and forth applying a firm but controlled downward pressure. Snapping the floss down between the teeth can not only injure your gums in the short-term, but the trauma can cause your gums to recede.

Is it enough to just Floss your teeth?

Of course, it isn’t enough to simply floss. It’s important to floss correctly. Improper flossing can potentially damage your teeth and gums. So, if you’re unsure about the right way to clean in between your teeth, here’s a step-by-step guide on the best way to floss.

How to floss with braces?

Flossing instructions for braces 1 Break off about 18 to 24 inches of waxed dental floss. 2 Stand in front of a mirror so you can make sure the floss is going where you need it to. 3 Start by threading the floss between your teeth and the main wire. 4 Press the floss between the two teeth as gently as you can.

How does flossing affect your oral hygiene?

When you floss you are removing bacteria from between your teeth and below the gum-line. If you use the same section of floss for all of the teeth in your mouth, you are spreading around a lot of bacteria.