Oral Health Damage Caused by Flossing Too Hard

Flossing is an absolutely crucial part of any good oral hygiene routine. It’s the only way for you to remove bacteria, plaque, and food debris from between the teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. Dentists all agree that flossing daily is the best way for us to keep gum tissue healthy and prevent gum disease and gingivitis.

However, as essential as flossing is, there is such a thing as being too vigorous with your flossing habits. Flossing too hard can even cause eventual damage to the gum tissue and teeth.

Flossing Too Aggressively

Below are a few ways in which flossing too aggressively can damage your oral health:

• You floss multiple times a day – Flossing too often throughout the day can increase the odds of damaging the gum tissue. As the gum tissue recedes, the roots of the teeth will become exposed. You really only need to be flossing gently once per day.
• Your flossing begins to cause receding gums – When flossing their teeth, some people pull too hard on the floss as they try to get it through. This will cause the floss to pull down too hard on the gums and slip beneath the gum line. This can lead to gum recession, bleeding gums, and gingivitis or gum disease.
• You’re too rough when you floss – Lastly, some people may be too enthusiastic or rough when flossing, causing potential damage to the teeth and the gum tissue. Flossing too hard can weaken the tooth enamel and cause bleeding or damaged gum tissue.

If you’re confused about how to properly floss, please don’t hesitate to ask for a demonstration at our office. To make an appointment to check the health of your gum tissue, please contact Auburn Family Dental here at our Wichita, KS dental office.