Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Floss?

Most people while flossing have seen blood on their gums and the floss. Usually, bleeding gums when you floss just means that your gums are slightly irritated. This can happen when bacteria gathers in and around your gums and isn’t properly removed. 

The good news is that with proper cleaning and good oral hygiene, the irritation will usually go away. Although bacteria buildup is a common culprit, the reason for this bleeding does vary. 

Let’s take a closer look at why gums bleed when you floss and how to treat it, so you can avoid this in the future.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease where your gums tend to bleed when brushed or flossed. The bleeding is usually caused by the buildup of plaque, which is bacteria gathering around the gum line of your teeth. This sticky substance can be hard to remove when the proper cleaning techniques aren’t used. And it can cause your gums to swell and bleed easily.

Periodontal disease

When plaque and bacteria gather below your gums, it tends to harden. This hard buildup is usually referred to as calculus or tartar. This amount of bacteria is usually not reached by tooth brushing alone. If not removed, it can lead to major bleeding of the gums and even bone loss. When the inflammation gets to this point, it’s usually referred to as periodontal disease.

Nutritional deficiencies

Lack of nutrients in your diet — like vitamins C and K — may be another reason why your gums are bleeding when flossing. Having the proper amount of vitamin C in your everyday diet will ensure that your gum tissue stays strong. 

Vitamin K helps your blood clot correctly, which will lead to less bleeding. Increasing the intake of foods like spinach and blueberries could be a quick fix if you’re lacking this nutrient.

Improper flossing technique

Paying closer attention to how you floss could also be a quick fix for bleeding gums. Improper flossing technique can leave harmful bacteria behind and sometimes cause your gum tissue to be harmed. 

In other cases, it may just be the consistency that’s missing. Flossing your teeth properly at least once a day can lead to your gums being less inflamed and less prone to bleeding.

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Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes — like an increase in estrogen and progesterone — can lead to increased blood flow to the gum tissues. The increased blood circulation can cause the gums to swell, become tender, and bleed more easily when irritated by brushing or flossing.

This is more likely to occur during life stages like:

• Puberty

• Pregnancy

• Menstruation

• Menopause

Trauma or dental treatment

Did you recently have dental treatment done? Or maybe you hurt your gums with a sharp tortilla chip? 

Certain events like these can also cause temporary damage to your gum tissue, causing it to bleed. Luckily, your gum tissue heals faster than most skin wounds. So it will be back to normal in no time.

How to stop your gums from bleeding when flossing

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits all approach to stopping your gums from bleeding. But there are several things to keep in mind that could lead to healthier and happier gum tissue. 

Here are a few tips and tricks to help your gums bleed less.

Improve your oral hygiene routine

Take the time to understand your current routine:

• Are you flossing at least once a day? 

• Are you only brushing your teeth once, instead of twice? 

These simple improvements could be the change you need to help your gums stop bleeding.

Eat a balanced diet

A nutritious diet is very important not only for gum health but your overall oral health too. Your gum tissue may continue to bleed when flossing if it doesn’t have the proper nutrients to allow it to heal. Eating foods that are high in vitamin C and vitamin K will ensure that your body is fueled for the fights against gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Foods with these nutrients that are good for gum health include:

• Strawberries

• Broccoli

• Oranges

• Spinach

• Cabbage

• Lettuce

Visit a dentist for a proper cleaning and diagnosis

Although bleeding from your gums is usually due to mild inflammation, there could be some more extreme underlying conditions. Visiting a dentist will allow for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. 

A dentist can also give you a professional cleaning. This will help remove any stubborn plaque, tartar, and calculus from in between your gums and teeth.

How to properly floss your teeth

Flossing properly will help remove bacteria from the pockets that can form in the spaces between your teeth and gums. This will keep your gums healthy and prevent them from bleeding when flossing.

Try keeping these tips in mind each time you’re flossing:

• Use enough floss. You’ll need about 18 inches of dental floss to clean each tooth with unused floss. Use 1 to 2 inches between each tooth. 

• Gently slide the floss between your teeth. Hold the floss between your thumb and index finger and gently slide it between your teeth.

• Curve the floss around each tooth. When the floss reaches the gumline, carefully curve it into a “C” shape against each tooth. Move it up and down (not back and forth) to remove plaque and food debris.

• Use a clean section of floss for each tooth. After cleaning between each pair of teeth, use a fresh section of floss to avoid spreading plaque from one area to another. 

When should you see a dentist?

If you’re consistently flossing your teeth and are still having bleeding gums, schedule an appointment with a dentist. They may perform an X-ray along with a clinical exam to look for any underlying conditions that may be causing your gums to bleed. A dentist can do a full assessment of your dental health and develop a treatment plan for you.

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Written by:

Zack Youngblood, DMD

Zack Youngblood, DMD, is a dentist who strives to change the general look of dentistry. Before stepping foot in the clinical field, he authored multiple works that helped dental students and dentists find their unique path in dentistry.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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