As someone concerned about their physical health and wellness, you do everything you can to be healthy. You try to eat right and exercise regularly, as well as go to your annual doctor’s appointments and checkups.
One important part of your effort to stay healthy is taking care of your dental health. There are many ways to do this, such as brushing your teeth twice a day, going to regular dental checkups, and educating yourself on the best ways to maintain oral health. (You’re reading this article right now, so you’re doing a great job with that last one!)
When flossing is a daily challenge, it’s natural to be concerned, especially when you’re trying to do everything you can to take care of your teeth. For some, flossing may be easy. But, for others, flossing may come with gum bleeding, tenderness, and the anxiety of getting floss stuck between your teeth. It’s discouraging when the very thing that’s supposed to help you remove food from between your teeth gets stuck there too!
That’s why, in this post, we want to help you find out what to do when floss gets stuck in your teeth, and how you can prevent it!
Why Does Floss Get Stuck in My Teeth?
Before we get into our tips on what to do, let’s explore why floss might be getting stuck in your teeth in the first place.
There are many different reasons why floss might get stuck in between your teeth. Although not everyone has this problem, it’s not an uncommon occurrence, especially among those who are just starting to take steps to maintain their dental health.
The most common reason why floss will sometimes get stuck in your teeth is because of buildup. When food and other residue builds up in between your teeth, it is called plaque. Over time, plaque can accumulate and harden into tartar, which can cause your teeth to have uneven or jagged edges that floss thread catches on, something that can usually be taken care of with regular cleanings.
Another reason why your floss thread may be catching or even shredding when you try to floss is that your tooth is chipped or broken, resulting in that jagged edge. Chipped or broken teeth are sometimes caused by tooth decay or another serious underlying issue.
For some people, floss may get caught simply because their teeth are set very close together. If this is the reason why your floss gets stuck, you may have other dental issues, such as be a crossbite or crooked teeth, which may be resolved with braces or alignment retainers.
What to Do When Floss Gets Stuck!
Don’t try to force the floss thread out when stuck, especially if the pressure causes gum tenderness or pain. Instead, let go of one end of the floss and pull the thread through your teeth. If this solution doesn’t work, then try moving the floss thread down and out with a gentle sawing motion against the side of the tooth. If you try to force the floss out, you might damage your gums, causing them to be irritated or bleed.
Because it is such an annoyance to get floss stuck in your teeth, you may be tempted to simply avoid flossing altogether. However, because tartar from residue build-up is most likely the cause of your flossing troubles, it’s essential that you keep flossing regularly. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits is the best way to prevent floss from becoming stuck in your teeth.
When to See the Dentist
If you’re concerned that there may be another cause to your floss issues, such as tooth decay, it may be time to see your dentist, especially if you haven’t had a checkup for over a year.
Most dentists agree that you should have regular teeth cleaning appointments twice a year to remove that hard-to-reach plaque build-up before it causes problems.
Get in Touch
Here at Columbia River Dentistry in Portland, Oregon, we care about our patients. Our friendly dental hygienists and other staff members are happy to help you get the dental care you need. We offer routine checkups, cleanings, cavity fillings, and much more.
Give us a call today to schedule your first visit at (503) 255-5700!