Some help with my gums?!

Some help with my gums?

I went to the hygienist on Friday, the first time in more than two years (all the NHS dentists in my area went private, we've only just managed to sort out a dental plan). She told me I had a small case of gingivitis, caused by not brushing into my gums enough, and that I needed to floss everyday. I had always been told up till now that brushing my gums was bad for them. Anyway, I've been brushing and flossing (twice a day still), like she said, since Friday, but the pain is so bad it's making me feel sick. She told me it would get worse before it gets better, and not to shy away from the blood and pain (which I don't), but now I have many small cuts on my gums and I don't know how they're going to heal if I keep scrubbing at them. I haven't eaten anything all day because it hurts too much! Does anyone have any ideas that would help soothe my gums until they toughen up?

Your gums should heal pretty quickly -- but it sounds like you're being too aggressive with your brushing & flossing. You should slide the floss gently between your teeth -- try not to "pop" it in between or you can cause small cuts in your gum tissue. Make sure you brush with a soft toothbrush & hold it at a 45 degree angle to your gumline while you brush. You don't need to brush firmly or directly on the gum tissue. Holding it at that angle is all you need to do to remove the plaque at the gumline. Until your gum tissue heals, you may want to rinse with warm salt water a few times a day. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by bacterial plaque. MOST people have gingivitis because they don't floss regularly, so don't panic! Just brush 2x a day & floss once a day - gently - and your gums will be healthy again.