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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Swollen Gum Caused Due To Flossing Be Treated?

Respected Doctor,
Hi, I am Rajesh, Age :62 yrs. There is a gap between molar and pre molar. I have shown it to a dentist. He told me that floss it regularly. I am doing regularly after every food intake. Due to flossing my gum swell and due to that it is very difficult to chew any food. Please advise.
Mon, 18 Jul 2016
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi..
Welcome to HCM..

As per your complain it seems that either you are flossing very vigorously or the movement that is needed to floss that is from the gum outwards is not correct and it is leading to either continuous trauma to the gums causing its inflammation of the gums leading to pain..

Other reason can be due to localised infection in the gum in that area as if the movement of the floss is wrong the debris can get impacted into the gums causing bacterial accumulation, infection and swelling..

I would therefore suggest you to consult your dentist and first of all reconfirm the proper way to floss and also get evaluated for the reason for swelling in gums..

In case of infection the dentist will do scaling followed by a short script of antibiotics and anti inflammatory painkillers like Ibuprofen.
Along with it massaging the gums with antiseptic ointment and applying numbing gel like lignocaine to relieve pain will help..
Do warm saline gargles..

Hope this helps..

Regards.
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How Can Swollen Gum Caused Due To Flossing Be Treated?

Hi.. Welcome to HCM.. As per your complain it seems that either you are flossing very vigorously or the movement that is needed to floss that is from the gum outwards is not correct and it is leading to either continuous trauma to the gums causing its inflammation of the gums leading to pain.. Other reason can be due to localised infection in the gum in that area as if the movement of the floss is wrong the debris can get impacted into the gums causing bacterial accumulation, infection and swelling.. I would therefore suggest you to consult your dentist and first of all reconfirm the proper way to floss and also get evaluated for the reason for swelling in gums.. In case of infection the dentist will do scaling followed by a short script of antibiotics and anti inflammatory painkillers like Ibuprofen. Along with it massaging the gums with antiseptic ointment and applying numbing gel like lignocaine to relieve pain will help.. Do warm saline gargles.. Hope this helps.. Regards.