Can flossing cause teeth pain?!
Question: Can flossing cause teeth pain.?
I have 3 little kids. I don't have a lot of time in my life for details (like flossing), so I've let it go. I just had my 6 month dental check up in July with a full set of x-rays. I had 2 cavities which I've had filled. No other problems. So...I decided to get back on the band wagon and start flossing and keeping my teeth in working order. But after the last few days of flossing, my teeth ache. Not my gums, but my teeth. My lower teeth seem fine, but all of my upper teeth really hurt. I don't have an infection--I've had those before and know what to look for. My teeth are not sensitive to hot or cold, or pain when being tapped (I know all the dental tricks for detecting an infection!). Has anyone else ever had this kind of pain.? I need to know if this will go away on it's own or if I should make a dental appointment. Thanks.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
What you are feeling is the periodontal ligament. When you weren't flossing, the biofilm was hanging around the teeth. Now that you are flossing, you are getting into those spaces and touching the tissue that was affected by the biofilm. It sounds counter-intuitive for them to hurt more now that you are flossing than when you didn't, but it is what happens.
Usually it takes about a week for the tissue to get healthy again (no bugs from the biofilm) and for it to feel ok to floss. Just hang in there and keep it up.
Make sure that you wrap the floss around the teeth and are slipping between the tooth and gum. also, try not to snap the gums with the floss when you are getting it thru the tight contacts between teeth.
Try keeping your floss by the tv. When you are watching tv is a great time to floss. Health Question & Answer
Usually it takes about a week for the tissue to get healthy again (no bugs from the biofilm) and for it to feel ok to floss. Just hang in there and keep it up.
Make sure that you wrap the floss around the teeth and are slipping between the tooth and gum. also, try not to snap the gums with the floss when you are getting it thru the tight contacts between teeth.
Try keeping your floss by the tv. When you are watching tv is a great time to floss. Health Question & Answer
Before i call and make another appt with the dentist, i stop flossing for a day or two and see if things improve. Then if they do, i would resume, but doing it every other day. If you still have the pain when you stop, i'd call the dentist !Health Question & Answer