Gum hurts after flossing

The papilla is the triangular gum between teeth. If plaque has collected there, the tissue may be tender when cleaning begins. Floss can also cut the gum if it is forced downward, while a rough filling edge, trapped food, calculus, or an infection can localise soreness to one space.

Use clean floss in a C shape against each tooth and slide it below the gum edge without forcing it. If the space is wide, a correctly sized interdental brush may clean it more comfortably; do not stop all cleaning around a sore area unless a clinician tells you to.

Arrange dental care when soreness persists, recurs in one location, or comes with swelling, pus, bad taste, fever, or pain on biting. A clinician can inspect the contact, remove calculus or trapped material, check restorations, and assess the tooth and periodontal pocket.

Ask whether the tissue is inflamed, cut, infected, or being irritated by a filling edge; whether floss or an interdental brush fits better; and how to clean the area while it heals.