My dentist showed me how to properly floss so you don't hurt your gums. You have to wrap the floss around the tooth one way, then the other way. If you just pull straight down you will cut your gum. Also, once you develop good habits in flossing, brushing too, by keeping plaque off your teeth your gums will heal and won't bleed when you work on them with floss, picks, etc. The plague harbors bacteria that work on your gums and inflame them. They also attack your teeth, eventually resulting in tooth decay if left there long enough. Of course, some people's teeth are more susceptible to decay than others. That varies widely. My dentist (his mother too) had really good genes... neither of them had ever had a cavity in their lives. He retired end of 2019, just as the pandemic was about to break out. Good timing for him. I made my initial appointment with my new dentist today.