Once a day is good for flossing, I do it just before brushing my teeth at night, so the bristles and toothpaste can get where the floss cleared out the gunk. It should stop hurting soon and just “wake up” your gums instead.

Think of the floss like a blade and scrape, don’t saw! Obviously if your teeth are tight together you might have to wiggle back and forth a little to get between them, but as soon as you get down to your gums, only go up and down, scraping the side of each tooth, not really going after the gum itself.

I like the Oral B GLIDE “gum care” flossers, because you can pinch to pull the floss taut and wiggle it between tight teeth, then relax it to curve around the sides of the tooth, and get the correct angle even way at the back of the mouth. I rinse and reuse them several times for less waste. Otherwise I like Floss Tape, which is wider than regular floss for more cleaning, less cutting. It’ll also braid into a stronger rope for escaping from prison or rescuing princes or whatever.

Try swishing with warm salt water when your gums feel sore, you can do it anytime. And get some extra vitamin C into your system. It’s good for gums, that’s why bad gums are a symptom of scurvy.

Good on you for doing what your grandmother says! At our age, we know how important it is to keep your teeth as healthy as you can, and as long as you can.