I floss, but my gums are bleeding. not all, just where the two teeth that have elastics on my braces, they're not rubbing either. what do i do?

Get the gums checked: gums bleed when there is uattended plaque in the periodontal pockets. Have the dentist check the depth of the pockets. If you have deep perio pockets, with even good flossing, you might not be getting the floss to the bottom of the pocket.

Clean and rinse: Use Biotene rinse or 1/2 strength hydrogen peroxide and water rinse or salt water rinse for healing of gums. Use between teeth special inidividual brushes found in the supermarket and clean well between them after each meal.

Non-urgent: check with the dentist. Mine always do this. So does my office manager's. My teeth need more attention and cleaning and the flossing is a sign things are good. My office mananger didn't see a dentist in 20 years and is losing all her teeth due to gum disease. All the teeth being loose was, in retrospect, a clue. gum bleeding slightly with flossing is unliekly to be an emergency.

Be gentle: Just because you have braces the tissue around the teeth can get irritated and become more sensitive and can bleed easier. It is important to keep a very good oral hygiene even though it may bleed, explain this to your hygienist so she may give you some advice to keep you gums from bleeding more often. In general the bleeding will improve after the braces are gone.

Elastics necessary?: Although the elastics may not be rubbing themselves, they may be pulling on the braces such that the gums are injured and begin to bleed. You should discuss this with the orthodontist, and perhaps another way of placing the braces may be possible without the pull of elastics needed.

See Orthodontist: Bleeding gums are never normal. Most common cause is inflammation from compromised oral hygiene. Start w your Orthodontic Specialist. Referral to your General Dentist or to Periodontist may be in order.