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> As likely a cause as any was interdental manipulation: teeth cleaning, flossing, heavy brushing. Turns out, bleeding gums are a direct conduit for bacteria to
by nyanpasu64 3y ago
> As likely a cause as any was interdental manipulation: teeth cleaning, flossing, heavy brushing. Turns out, bleeding gums are a direct conduit for bacteria to the bloodstream. When I told the family medicine doctor I had gotten “really into flossing during the pandemic,” he said that might have done it. But there was no way to know. Anyway, I wasn’t his problem anymore. That’s the nature of the American medical system: disasters are passed from one MD to another, with little care or concern for how the disaster happened in the first place.
Is it safer to floss or not?
- Filligree 3y ago> Is it safer to floss or not? You shouldn't be making your gums bleed. Flossing doesn't mean sawing at the gums, it means cleaning the enamel.
- righthand 3y agoYes polishing the sides of the teeth to remove hardening plaque, not jamming string to remove chunks of food (that’s just a secondary benefit).
- ReactiveJelly 3y agoReally? The dentist always tells me "get below the gum line, get way deep in there" and even though it disgusts me to imagine peeling back my gums, I do it. And bleed and feel like shit.
- Centigonal 3y agoIf you're under 60, have a healthy heart valve, a healthy immune system, and relatively healthy teeth (no gingivitis or periodontal disease), the risk of endocarditis from flossing is very small.
- phanimahesh 3y agoI have heard many good things about water flossers and use one. Less risk of bleeding gums, practically zero if you floss regularly imo. Not backed by any comparative studies I know of.
- bsder 3y agoIf you are flossing and your gums are bleeding, get to a dentist. Bleeding gums are generally a sign of some level of periodontal disease. There are lots of things that dentists can do that help this (cleaning, root planing, anti-biotic balls (Arestin), laser ablation, etc.)