Healthy gums don’t bleed, and are not painful to floss at all.
I’m in my 30s and only recently learned flossing technique and got my gums healthy. Flossing used to take so long and always involved a lot of bleeding no matter how delicate I was.
These days I’m absolute savage with floss and interdental brushes and never have any blood or pain.
Once you get your gums healthy you’ll be disgusted at yourself for ever not flossing. The amount of disgusting I can floss out on an almost daily basis is insane.
Plus you’re breath will not smell gross anymore.
It’s worth committing to the habit of flossing. Trust me.
Same - I could never understand interdental brushes. How the hell was I supposed to get that between my teeth when even I waxed floss won’t fit? So I gave up and now use an electric toothbrush +waterpick when I can be arsed. My dentist is more than happy so I guess I’m doing ok.
Agreed on the water pick. It’s really just a high powered stream of water, but not so powerful as to cut you. Although against delicate gums it may still cause bleeding like floss.
The bleeding goes away quicker with a water pick too
I later found out to flush thoroughly. It would have been great to have been advised on that 25 years ago, instead of the constant talk about flossing.
Flushing really is extremely efficient, I never tried a waterpick, but I’m guessing that’s even better.
What is flushing exactly? Is it just violently swishing water through your teeth? I do that and find it works better at getting stuff out than flossing most of the time.
Yes that’s basically it, you can get special mouthwash to use instead of water. that should prevent bacteria for longer. I generally just use water, but I do it each time I’ve brushed my teeth. And it really makes a difference.