“Can flossing cause gums to swell?”
After flossing my gums swell. Is it normal? What should I do?
3 Answers
Not normal. Should probably get it checked out by a dentist.
Regular, properly done flossing should not cause gums to swell. But if you are a very occasional flosser or floss too hard, the gums can be irritated and swell. Many people who only floss occasionally say that they do it so rarely because every time they try it, their gums swell and bleed. Regular, proper flossing over a 2-week period will eliminate that problem.
When was your last professional dental cleaning? Swelling is generally a sign of infection. If there is tartar on the roots, flossing alone cannot fix it. Continue brushing and flossing. You might try warm salt rinses. See your dentist.
