How much will I need to floss to get healthy gums?

A week of flossing once or twice a day and you should see no more blood.

Yea. It’s about 4 days to a week. The blood will at first start to not happen between all your teeth and only a few of them. Then by the time you’re in your second week, you should only occasionally see blood.

I only floss once a day myself. I hate to do it.

I can’t floss my teeth, man… I can’t get into the flossing thing. People who smoke cigarettes, they say “man, you don’t know how hard it is to quit smoking.” Yes I do. It’s as hard as it is to start flossing!
Mitch Hedberg

Okay, cool. Thanks :)

My suggestion is to get a flosser with a handle. It helps tremendously, but in flossing action and not causing bleeding gums.

In addition to the night retainer I have now, I also have permanent retainers on top and bottom, so a flosser won’t really work :( It’s super inconvenient.

According to dentist, “Dr. Boyd” from Lancaster, CA, “Your gums may bleed and be sore for the first few days. As the plaque is broken up and the bacteria are removed, your gums will heal and the bleeding will stop.”

http://www.drboyd.com/pasttips.htm#AutoFlosser%20Makes%20Flossing%20Easy%20and%20Fast

Sorry, Fieryspoon, I’ve been there man, you have to use the threaders, right? with the needle-thing in the end? It makes flossing SOO annoying…I only flossed like 4 times the entirety of my 2 year hate-only affair with braces.

I’ve never heard of a permanent retainer. Do you ever get to get rid of it?

Nope, I get to keep it forever. I suppose I’ll just have to learn to love the threaders.

Bummer.

Thanks everyone :)

Mornin/evnin.

My technician says that flossing takes care of 90% of dental issues, if done often. I keep a roll in my purse (for red lights or traffic jams) by computer (for long reads), near TV (or commercials), and next to bed (for the times when Milo is on top.)

Try using the Water-Pik. It replaces flossing and gives your gums a massage at the same time. It solves the problem for people with braces or bridgework. I like it. You can also use a peroxide solution or even mouthwash diluted in the water. Leaves your mouth refreshed.