How to Floss Your Teeth

Flossing is an essential part of a complete oral hygiene routine. While brushing removes plaque from the surfaces of your teeth, flossing helps clean the areas your toothbrush can't reach—between your teeth and under the gumline. When done correctly and consistently, flossing reduces the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

How to Floss Your Teeth Properly

1. Cut about 18 inches (45 cm) of dental floss.
   Wrap most of it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) of floss to work with.

2. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers.
   Gently guide it between your teeth using a careful sawing motion. Avoid snapping the floss.

3. Form a “C” shape around the base of each tooth.
   Slide the floss beneath the gumline and gently move it up and down along the side of the tooth.

4. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth.
   As you move from one tooth to the next, unwind fresh floss from one hand and wind the used portion onto the other.

5. Don’t forget the back of your last teeth.
   Even the molars at the back of your mouth need flossing to remove hidden plaque.

With practice, flossing takes only a few minutes a day but plays a huge role in long-term oral health.

How Often Should You Floss?

Yes, you should floss every day. Flossing at least once a day is recommended by dental professionals to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

The most effective time to floss is before brushing your teeth at night. This helps remove food particles and plaque that build up throughout the day, allowing your toothpaste to clean more effectively. Daily flossing helps prevent gum disease, cavities between teeth, and persistent bad breath.

If you have braces, dental implants, or other restorations, your dentist may recommend special flossing tools or a customized routine to ensure thorough cleaning.

Is It Better to Floss Before or After Brushing?

Most dental professionals recommend flossing before brushing. Flossing first removes food debris and plaque from between your teeth, allowing the fluoride in your toothpaste to reach more areas of your mouth. This enhances the effectiveness of brushing and leads to better overall oral hygiene. However, the most important thing is consistency—flossing every day, whether before or after brushing, is far more beneficial than skipping it altogether.

Does Flossing Remove Plaque?

Yes, flossing is one of the most effective ways to remove plaque from between your teeth and under the gumline. While brushing cleans the surfaces of your teeth, flossing targets the tight spaces that a toothbrush can't reach. Removing plaque regularly helps prevent tooth decay, gum inflammation, and the buildup of tartar, which can lead to more serious dental issues. For optimal results, floss gently and thoroughly once a day as part of your oral care routine.

How to Floss Around Dental Implants

Flossing around dental implants is similar to flossing natural teeth but requires a few important adjustments:

• Use implant-friendly floss or super floss. These are softer and designed not to damage implant surfaces.

• Avoid snapping the floss. Since implants don’t have the same ligament support as natural teeth, be extra gentle when guiding floss around the crown.

• Consider tools like floss threaders or interdental brushes for fixed prosthetics (e.g., All-on-4) where regular floss can’t reach underneath.

• Clean daily. Just like natural teeth, implants need consistent care to prevent peri-implant issues.

Learn more about caring for implants: Implant Treatment Guide

How to Floss with Braces or Clear Aligners

Flossing with orthodontic appliances like metal braces or clear aligners (Invisalign) requires some modifications to your usual technique:

With Braces:

➡️ Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to get the floss underneath the archwire.

➡️ Carefully clean between your teeth and around the brackets, moving the floss gently up and down the sides of each tooth.

➡️  Consider using interdental brushes or a water flosser to clean areas that are harder to reach.

With Clear Aligners (e.g., Invisalign):

➡️ Remove your aligners before flossing.

➡️ Floss as you normally would, since there are no obstructions.

➡️ Clean your aligners separately to prevent bacteria transfer.

Daily flossing is especially important during orthodontic treatment to prevent plaque buildup around brackets or beneath aligners, which can lead to staining, cavities, or gum problems. 

Can You Floss Around Zirconia Crowns and Veneers?

Yes, flossing around zirconia crowns and veneers is not only safe but highly recommended to maintain the health of surrounding gums and teeth. However, a few important precautions should be followed:

➡️ Be gentle. Zirconia and porcelain veneers are strong but can be sensitive to excessive force. Use smooth, controlled flossing motions.

➡️ Use non-abrasive floss. Choose a soft, shred-resistant floss to avoid scratching the surfaces or irritating the bonded edges.

➡️ Slide the floss out. Instead of snapping floss up and out, slide it out gently to prevent dislodging the restoration.

➡️ Daily flossing helps prevent gum inflammation around the restoration margins and supports long-term aesthetic results.

Always follow your dentist’s recommendations, especially if you have multiple restorations or recently completed veneer or zirconia crown treatments.

What Is the Best Dental Floss?

The best dental floss is the one that fits your specific oral health needs and that you are comfortable using consistently. There are several types of floss, and each offers unique benefits:

➡️ Waxed Floss: Easier to slide between tight teeth; ideal if your teeth are closely spaced.

➡️ Unwaxed Floss: Thinner and may make more squeaking sounds when removing plaque, giving some users a sense of cleaner results.

➡️ Dental Tape: Flatter and broader than standard floss; great for people with larger gaps between their teeth.

➡️ Super Floss: Designed for people with braces, bridges, or implants; it includes a stiff end, a spongy segment, and regular floss.

➡️ PTFE Floss: Shred-resistant and glides easily; helpful for tight contacts and sensitive gums.

Ultimately, the best floss is the one you’ll use daily. Your dentist or hygienist can help you choose the type that suits your teeth, gums, and any dental restorations you may have.

Why Is Flossing Important?

Flossing is crucial because it targets the areas your toothbrush can't reach—between the teeth and under the gumline. These tight spaces often trap food debris and bacteria, leading to plaque buildup, which is the primary cause of cavities and gum disease. Regular flossing helps:

➡️ Remove hidden plaque and food particles

➡️ Prevent gum inflammation and bleeding

➡️ Lower the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease

➡️ Reduce bad breath by eliminating odor-causing bacteria

Incorporating flossing into your daily routine not only improves oral hygiene but also contributes to better overall health, as gum disease has been linked to heart disease and other systemic conditions.

Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Floss?

Bleeding gums during flossing is a common issue, especially if you’re new to flossing or haven’t done it regularly. It often indicates inflammation caused by plaque buildup along the gumline—a sign of early gum disease (gingivitis).

➡️ If you're just starting to floss, the bleeding should stop within a week as your gums become healthier.

➡️ Avoid aggressive or snapping motions with the floss, as this can damage delicate gum tissue.

➡️ Make sure to floss daily and use proper technique to promote healing.

➡️ If bleeding persists beyond 7–10 days, consult your dentist—it may be a sign of more advanced gum problems.

Gentle and consistent flossing is key to improving gum health and stopping the bleeding over time.

Can Flossing Damage My Teeth?

When done correctly, flossing does not damage your teeth or gums. In fact, it helps protect them. However, improper flossing techniques can cause temporary irritation or injury:

➡️ Snapping the floss down too forcefully can cut or damage your gum tissue.

➡️ Using excessive pressure or sawing motions can lead to gum recession over time.

➡️ Not following the natural curve of the tooth may leave plaque behind or cause trauma to soft tissues.

To floss safely, use gentle motions, follow the tooth’s contour, and avoid forcing the floss between tight contacts. If you’re unsure about your technique, your dentist or hygienist can demonstrate the proper way to floss.

Water Flosser vs String Floss: Which One Is Better?

Both water flossers and traditional string floss are effective tools for cleaning between teeth and along the gumline, but they offer different advantages depending on individual needs:

➡️ String Floss: Provides more tactile control, making it easier to clean each side of the tooth. It is especially effective for removing sticky plaque and debris. For complete oral hygiene routines, see our guide on oral and dental care.

➡️ Water Flosser: Uses a stream of pulsating water to clean between teeth and below the gumline. It’s ideal for people with braces, implants, or sensitive gums, and it's easier to use for those with limited dexterity. To learn how to use one effectively, visit our page on how to use a water flosser.

➡️ Effectiveness: Studies show that both can reduce plaque and improve gum health when used correctly and consistently. Water flossers may be slightly better at reducing bleeding and inflammation in certain cases.

➡️ Convenience: Water flossers are quick and comfortable to use, while string floss requires more manual skill and time.

Conclusion: The best choice depends on your personal preferences, dental restorations, and manual ability. For optimal oral hygiene, some people even use both as part of their daily routine. Persistent plaque and food debris, if not properly cleaned, may also contribute to bad breath, which flossing and rinsing can help prevent.