Did you try flossing your teeth recently, and then stop when your gums bled? It is a common problem.

Many of us avoid the whole idea of flossing. We do not even like to talk about it. And when we try it, we discover our gums bleed so we stop, out of fear.

We fear it is serious, like gum disease. And we fear our dentist will judge us or tell us off like a naughty child for not looking after our gums. So we avoid the dentist as well.

But in actual fact, a bit of blood when you floss is normal, particularly if you do not floss often. It does not mean it is healthy – healthy gums do not bleed. But it does not mean you should stop: it means you should floss more often.

The cause of the bleeding is the plaque which has built up between your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the surface of the teeth, between the teeth and above and below the gums. If plaque is not cleared away, it can lead to gum disease, as plaque can irritate and inflame your gums. When you try to remove the plaque buildup by brushing or flossing, your swollen, inflamed gums start to bleed.

Keep flossing twice a day, and if the bleeding does not stop after a few weeks, see your dentist for a proper clean and advice.