Is cleaning germs from the teeth harmful?

My former dentist only cleaned the gums gently with no blood or bad sense.But recently a new dentist cleaned the spaces between my teeth with different sharp hooks to cause floss move into them easily.My molars were formerly stuck tight together but floss can easily move between them now.and my gums recessed,narrowed and thinned.Is this harmful for roots and teeth in higher ages?(I'm 47). Is this method (called abortion of gums and teeth ) usual in other countries?