Yes, dental floss can cause a physical injury to the gums, but this is typically a result of improper technique or existing oral health conditions. Floss is a flexible cord, often made of nylon or PTFE, designed to remove plaque and food particles from areas a toothbrush cannot reach, primarily between teeth and below the gum line. When used correctly, the process is safe, but aggressive use can bruise or lacerate the delicate gum tissue. Understanding the difference between a mechanical cut and other causes of bleeding is important for maintaining healthy gums.
Differentiating Bleeding from Mechanical Injury
Bleeding while flossing is common, but the vast majority of cases are not caused by a physical cut from the floss material. The most frequent cause of blood is inflammation of the gum tissue, known as gingivitis. This condition is the body’s natural response to plaque buildup, where bacteria produce toxins that irritate the gingiva.
Inflammation increases blood flow, causing the gums to become swollen, puffy, and dark red. This makes the tissue fragile, and even light contact from a toothbrush or floss can cause easy bleeding. Healthy gums are firm, typically pale pink, and fit snugly around the teeth without bleeding. Bleeding from gingivitis is usually generalized, while a true mechanical cut is a localized injury. Paradoxically, bleeding signals a need for more consistent flossing, which removes irritants and allows the tissue to heal, stopping the bleeding within a week or two.
Common Flossing Errors That Cause Trauma
While inflammation is the most frequent cause of blood, an actual physical tear or abrasion results from specific mechanical errors. One of the most common mistakes is “snapping” the floss forcefully between tight teeth contacts. When the floss suddenly pops through the contact point, it can hit the gum tissue with high speed and force, creating a laceration or bruise.
Another damaging error involves using the floss in a vigorous sawing motion applied horizontally and aggressively against the gum line. The floss is meant to move vertically, rubbing against the tooth surface, not horizontally across the gums. Applying excessive downward or upward pressure when reaching the space just below the gum line can cause trauma and gum recession. Pressing the floss too hard into the soft tissue can cause irritation and damage.
Technique Adjustments for Injury Prevention
Preventing mechanical trauma requires adopting a gentle, controlled technique that prioritizes the tooth surface. Begin by using a length of floss approximately 18 inches long, which allows a clean section for each tooth. Wrap most of the floss around your middle fingers, leaving only a small, one-to-two-inch working section tautly held between your index fingers and thumbs.
To introduce the floss between teeth, use a gentle, short, back-and-forth “sawing” motion to ease it past the contact point, taking care never to snap it. Once past the contact, curve the floss into a “C” shape, wrapping it around one side of the tooth. Slide this C-shape gently into the space between the gum and the tooth, known as the sulcus. The cleaning motion should be vertical, moving the floss up and down against the side of the tooth. This method “hugs” the tooth, maximizing plaque removal while minimizing contact with the sensitive gum tissue.