Questions about flossing

The Dublin Whale

I've started flossing in the last few days but have noticed I now have a bad smell in my mouth, is this normal for people who start flossing and should I just continue flossing until the smell goes away? Or does it mean my flossing technique is not good? After I floss I brush for at least 3 minutes, brush my tongue well and brush the roof of my mouth and the gums, and then I rinse with mouthwash.

Also since I started flossing food has started getting trapped in places where it never used to. So is flossing something everyone should do or should people who have very tight together teeth not floss as its not needed since food can't get in there in the first place?

The Dublin Whale

I looked at a video on youtube and apparently you are supposed to make a c shape around the tooth with the floss and then push it up and down. I tried this but theres not enough space between my teeth to do this so instead I do a see saw action while bringing the floss upwards, I presume I won't be damaging enamel or anything by doing this?

Also, my gums still bleed a bit in 2 areas when flossing and the floss smells really bad once the blood is on the floss. Does this mean I have gum disease, because the blood smells so bad? I have read comflicting info online about this.

And finally, I read there is a test you can do at dentists to see if you have bad breath, is this test widely available in most dentists in Ireland?

Dianthus

Flossing is not required if there are spaces between the teeth; ie: the toothbrush can access all 5 sides of each tooth.The majority of people have no spaces between their teeth, therefore they need to floss, daily.
If there's bleeding& the floss smells bad, then gum disease is present, and this is the most likely cause of the bad breath.
Food is now only catching between the teeth where it never used to before, because before, old food was stagnating there.
There's no major need for fancy tests, start with the basics. See a dentist for a checkup, & have a professional cleaning with the dentist/hygienist (more than likely there is tartar/calculus buildup, that no amount of flossing will shift).
Best of luck OP,& keep up the good work!;)

The Dublin Whale

I had a scale and polish about a month ago, could gum disease occur in such a short time? Or if I had it at the time of my last professional clean would this not of been something the dentist would have picked up on?

Dianthus

If you haven't been flossing at all for the last month(only the last few days), then yes.
It's a common misconception amongst patients that it's sufficient to attend for a cleaning once or twice yearly& that's that, job done.
However, if you were to have your car cleaned waxed& polished ect, then drive it through dirt-tracks for a month, it'd need another cleaning in no time again! The day to day maintenance is key.
Ask your dentist, you're under their care, you pay for their advice as well as treatment. If there's any confusion on your part, you need to open the lines of communication. A diagnosis/treatment plan can't be found here, or on YouTube;)

The Dublin Whale

ok thanks for your help, I'll make an appointment after christmas

res ipsa

Bad breath often comes from the tongue. Lick your hand with your tongue, let it dry and smell it. If its rank you may need to clean your tongue. You can do this with a tablespoon. I would also recommend Listerine although a lot of dentist on this forum are not keen on mouthwashes.

not yet

More time then not when you start flossing you disturb the gum which can lead to a little bleeding, which in turn can lead to the smell you get.

Continue flossing and using a medicated mouthwash and this bleeding will get less and less over time.