Why Do My Teeth Hurt After Flossing? Causes and Solutions

If you have been experiencing pain after flossing your teeth you have likely wondered what has caused it. 

It is important to know what the likely culprit is if you find yourself in this position. Some causes of dental pain after flossing can be easily resolved, whilst others may be signs of more serious problems. In this article, we will discuss these causes, and what you can do to minimize the pain. 

Read on to learn about: 

• Common causes of tooth pain after flossing 
• Solutions to minimize pain and discomfort 
• When to see your dentist 
• How to properly care for your teeth and gums 

Let's get into it!

Common causes of tooth pain after flossing 

Experiencing pain when flossing your teeth can be frustrating, especially when you’ve been trying to prioritize your dental health. There are many different causes of pain after flossing your teeth, ranging from trivial to serious. 

In order to identify what the potential cause of this is, it is important to know what the common causes are, and what to look out for. 

Improper flossing technique

Improper flossing technique is a common cause of dental pain when flossing. Forcing the floss between your teeth can cause cuts in the gum between your teeth, resulting in bleeding and pain. 

Similar to brushing, flossing requires an appropriate technique. It takes a lot of practice to become proficient in that technique. If this is something you've never done before, you could floss too firmly and injure or bleed your gums.

It is important to floss gently, using back and forth motions to clean your teeth properly, without pain. 

Gum disease (gingivitis)

Gingivitis, also known as gum disease, can make even the most gentle flossing painful. 

Gum disease causes the gums around your teeth to become inflamed and sensitive. They become sensitive to touch, which makes both flossing and brushing painful. 

It is important to note that painful, bleeding gums are a common sign of gum disease which requires medical attention. 

Whilst flossing with gum disease is painful, flossing is generally important to avoid the development of gum disease. 

Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is a sign that the enamel which covers our teeth has been eroded. This erosion leaves the underlying dentin exposed. When exposed, the dentin, which contains nerves responsible for producing pain, becomes much more sensitive. 

Exposed dentin is extremely sensitive to both temperature changes and touch. This can result in pain after flossing. 

If your teeth are sensitive to temperature, and touch, and hurt whilst flossing, enamel erosion may be the cause. 

Tooth decay (cavities) 

Cavities are areas of teeth which become damaged due to plaque, which results in enamel erosion. Plaque causes some areas to become eroded due to the build up of acid-producing bacteria that have built up on the teeth, exposing the underlying, sensitive areas. 

If cavities occur between the teeth, flossing can become painful, as the floss irritates the exposed dentin.

If flossing is painful in some teeth, but not others, it may be a sign that you have cavities between your teeth that are causing you pain when you touch them. Keep an eye out for discoloration, small pits and toothaches that may also indicate the presence of cavities. 

Oral infections 

Infections can occur anywhere in your mouth, including in your teeth and gums. If you have an infection in your teeth, they can become extremely sensitive to any touch, including flossing. 

Any infections, including abscesses in the gums can cause pain after flossing. 

If you experience pain in response to flossing, swelling around a tooth, pus coming from your gums, or bad breath, you may be suffering from an infection. 

Using the wrong type of floss

There are many different types of floss. Some are thicker than others and some are not waxed, for example. 

Some people require thinner floss, compared to thicker floss which can be too big for the space between their gaps. Using thick floss may cause your teeth to be forced apart, causing pain. 

Some floss is also unwaxed, which means it is more likely to ‘catch’ on the teeth, and cause irritation and pain to the gums. 

Solutions to minimize pain or discomfort

If you are experiencing tooth pain after flossing, there are a few simple things you can try to reduce this pain. Flossing is important to support your dental health, finding ways to reduce the pain whilst flossing is a great way to ensure you keep up with regular flossing. 

Gentle technique 

One of the easiest things you can do to avoid pain when you floss is to use a gentle motion when flossing. 

Instead of ‘snapping’, or forcing the floss between your teeth, try to curve it around the tooth in a C-shape, before gently sliding it up and down along the sides of the tooth to clean between the teeth. 

Waxed floss 

In general, waxed floss is better to use if you experience pain after flossing your teeth. Waxed floss can slide more easily between tight teeth and is less likely to fray or break. You are also naturally more likely to need to use force to push the floss between your teeth, relieving any pain that comes from your gums when flossing. 

Boka’s Ela Mint floss is coated with a vegetable wax, which lets the floss glide between your teeth, to achieve a gentle clean, for example. 

Water flosser 

If regular floss just isn’t cutting it, or you have sensitive gums, then a water flosser may be a good option. 

A water flosser uses a high-powered stream of water to clean in between your teeth. It is a great alternative for people with sensitive gums, or those who wear braces and struggle to get dental floss between their teeth. 

Our Power Flosser has 3 pressure settings which can be adjusted in order to clean your teeth, even if you are experiencing sensitivity in response to regular flossing. 

Sensitive toothpaste 

Tooth sensitivity is a leading cause of dental pain triggered by flossing. Luckily, it is often relieved by using the right dental care products, such as toothpaste specifically designed to minimize tooth sensitivity. 

Toothpaste such as Boka’s n-Ha toothpaste helps close holes on enamel that can cause tooth sensitivity. This helps to reduce pain caused by flossing between enamel eroded teeth over time. 

When to see your dentist 

Experiencing pain when flossing your teeth can be alarming, especially if it is something that has not happened in the past. Whilst some causes of dental pain after flossing are quite harmless, some are more serious. It is important to know what to look out for, and when to seek help. 

Persistent pain

If you use gentle flossing technique, and are still experiencing pain after flossing, then it is time to seek help from a dentist. Persistent dental pain may be a symptom of an issue that should be resolved before it becomes worse. 

Bleeding gums

If your gums are bleeding, whether that be after flossing, or brushing, then it is important to see a dentist. One of the most common symptoms of gum disease is bleeding, painful gums. 

Gum disease can be caused by plaque that builds up around, and between teeth. 

In order to avoid gum disease, it is important to keep flossing. Getting your gums checked by a dentist allows you to keep flossing and avoid worsening of gum disease. 

Sudden, severe pain

Sudden, severe pain is a serious symptom that something is not right. If you experience pain that is bad enough to prevent you from eating, and living life as normal, then it is important to seek immediate medical attention. 

Sudden, severe pain may indicate the presence of abscesses, exposed nerves, or dental fractures which all require prompt medical attention. 

Signs of infection 

Dental infections, whether that be in the teeth or in the gums, require medical attention. 

If you experience pain after flossing, along with any of these symptoms, it may indicate you are suffering from an infection that warrants a prompt visit to the dentist’s chair: 

• Severe toothache 
• Persistent bad breath, or a bad taste in the mouth 
• Pus anywhere in the mouth 
• Fevers and chills
• Low energy
• Swelling and redness in the gums and around teeth 
• Swelling in the face around the jaw area 
• Loose teeth 
• Swelling in the lymph nodes 

After trauma to the mouth 

If you have had an accident which has involved trauma to your face, or mouth, and are experiencing pain after flossing afterward, it may be because of damage to the teeth and surrounding structures. 

If the pain you feel in response to flossing has coincided with an accident involving your head area, it is important to visit a dentist. A dentist can check for any cracks in the teeth, or fractures which cause pain in response to flossing. 

Dental Hygiene: Need To Knows 

Many causes of dental pain after flossing can be avoided by properly caring for your teeth. In order to properly care for your teeth and gums, make sure to: 

• Brush twice a day: The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day, both morning and night, for 2 minutes each time with a soft to medium bristled toothbrush. This supports your gum health, and prevents cavity formation, which all cause pain after flossing. 
• Invest in good quality toothpaste: Toothpaste like Boka’s n-Ha toothpaste is important to support good dental health and avoid tooth sensitivity. Good quality toothpaste helps to remineralize teeth and supports enamel health and strength.
• Regularly floss: Flossing regularly supports the health of your teeth and gums. Harmful bacteria and plaque can often build up between our teeth, and is rarely removed by tooth brushing alone. 
• Limit sugary, and acidic foods: Watching your diet is important to protect your teeth’s enamel. These foods can feed the harmful bacteria in your mouth that are responsible for enamel erosion and dental sensitivity in response to flossing. 
• Drink plenty of water: Drinking water helps to neutralize acids found in the mouth that can cause damage to our enamel. It also helps to support saliva flow, which is responsible for lubrication and protection of our teeth. 

Conclusion 

Experiencing pain after flossing can be distressing, especially if there is no obvious cause. 

If you're experiencing pain after brushing your teeth, there are a few things you can do to try to solve the problem. Some of the easiest things to do include using waxed dental floss, flossing gently, and using sensitive toothpaste. 

If you are suffering from severe pain, or have other symptoms, it may be a sign of a more sinister issue that requires a dentist's attention. If you are concerned about this pain, or are experiencing severe pain, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.