Dental floss tape causing gum bleeding

ripplyuk

I use the expanding type flosses, but on the few occasions they've been out of stock, I've bought the 'tape' type instead. I hate this stuff as it feels like razor wire. I've noticed bleeding after using it on a couple of occasions. Not actual blood, but there was a definite pinkish colour left on a bit of the floss.

The first time was about 5 years ago and I went to see my dentist as I know this is a clear sign of gum disease. He did a lot of poking about but then said there was nothing wrong. I'm with a new private dentist now and this happened again late last year. I made an appointment straight away but he also said there was nothing wrong. He described some sort of 'range' they use of 0-10 for measuring gum disease and said mine are a zero. All he did was keep telling me there's nothing to worry about, and suggested I switch back to the expanding type.

I'm now wondering what's best to do. My dentist is well qualified and he's an oral surgeon so I don't doubt his expertise but it's well known that this is a sign of gum disease. Has anyone else had problems with this type of floss? Should I see a specialist about this?

Toothsmith

Gum bleeding, or gingivitis is the very very first sign of something being wrong.

If plaque builds up in an area for a little while, the gum gets a bit inflamed, and inflamed gum bleeds more easily. But - the act of cleaning away that plaque - which causes the gum to bleed, will mean that the gum will then settle down, and when the dentist looks - all will be healthy. You've cured the (slight) problem yourself.

If every time you brush your teeth, or do something like eat an apple, and you notice your gums are bleeding all over - then that is a far more worrying sign. But a bit of pink on some floss or tape every now and again is perfectly normal, and not to be worried about.

Going to see your dentist about it if your worried is the right thing to do - as advice on an internet forum from goodness knows who cannot be considered 'reliable'. But as you have seen your dentist, and you've been told there's nothing to worry about - I would take comfort from that.