Metal Mouth Message Board

I'll admit, pre-braces... I wasn't a flosser. But I've turned over a new leaf and I'm trying my hardest to be a good girl. I gave my teeth a week to recover from being braced, and I flossed last night.

OUCH! I totally shredded my gums to bits! Blood, sore spots, the works.

So I'm wondering. Is it my technique that's bad? Is it just that my teeth and gums are still sensitive from the braces? Will it get better with time and practice?

I go in for banding today and I'm pretty embarrassed about the state of my mouth. I might just ask for a flossing demonstration in hopes that this won't happen again.

If you don't normally floss, then for a while there will be some bleeding and soreness. However, after you floss on a regular basis, it will be fine- and I'm sure the braces being put on wouldn't have helped with the soreness! I never used to floss when I was younger and my gums were the same when I actually started to do so, but in time it got better

If you think it'd be good to see the 'correct', or best, way to floss then by all means ask for a demonstration.

Keep going with it though because it will get better after your gums are over the 'shock' of being flossed

Keep at it! And in the meantime rinse your mouth with salt water or hydrogen peroxide to help heal any soreness. Your gums should soon toughen up.
Congratulations on joining the flossing brigade. It's definitely worth the effort. My hubby had never flossed in his life but a few months ago he agreed to give it a try and he says his teeth feel much cleaner as a result.

Thanks for all the great advice and encouragement!

Off to do a salt water rinse, and I'll definitely swallow my pride and ask for a demo at my visit today.