How to Floss Your Teeth Properly

Flossing is an essential part of any at-home dental hygiene routine. Only one problem: for it to work, you have to do it right. How often should you floss? Which type of floss is best? What’s the right technique?

Lucky for you, we’ve compiled the answers to all of these questions in this comprehensive guide to proper flossing.

Why Is Flossing Necessary?

It often goes unsaid, but a lot of us don’t like flossing. Brushing twice a day for two minutes each time? Not a problem. Flossing once a day? Eh.

There are plenty of reasons to dislike it. It can feel time-consuming, and depending on the type of floss, it can require some dexterity. Some people find it painful, or their gums bleed and they don’t like the taste. This is probably why just 31% of Americans floss every day.

But no matter how annoying you find it, flossing — also known as interdental cleaning — is essential to your oral health. Even the best toothbrushes can’t reach the spaces between the teeth and under the gum line. But floss goes everywhere toothbrushes cannot, removing plaque before it can turn into tartar.

And that’s important, because tartar is a problem. Hard, firmly fixed to the teeth, and full of bacteria and acids, it eats away at the teeth and gums, causing decay and disease. That’s bad enough, but oral health is connected to general health. Studies have linked tartar buildup and the oral health problems it causes to heart disease, stroke, and even diabetes.

How Often Do I Need to Floss?

The American Dental Association officially recommends you floss once a day. However, that’s the minimum — what is healthy for the average person. Depending on your overall and oral health, you might need to floss twice a day.

Sometimes, you may even need to floss more than that. For example, if you need to floss once daily and also have a meal that gets stuck between your teeth, you shouldn’t hesitate to remove those spinach leaves or shredded beef. And if you have gum disease, your dentist might ask that you very gently floss after every meal.

If your dentist hasn’t indicated otherwise, once a day is fine. But don’t be afraid to ask them if more might be better for you.

Types of Floss

A big part of flossing correctly is selecting the correct type for your needs. Didn’t realize there were options? You aren’t alone! Most people only know about string floss and floss picks, but you actually have quite a few more options.

Floss Picks

Most people love floss picks. Easy to use and ready to take on the go, they’re far more convenient than most other types of floss. And since you can use them with just one hand, they are also disability friendly.

Nylon Floss

This is what most people think of when they hear the term “string floss.” It comes in waxed and unwaxed versions. Waxed floss is harder to grip but typically more comfortable on the gums. Unwaxed floss is better for fine-tuned control.

Monofilament Floss

This is similar to nylon floss, except it’s one continuous strand of fiber, while nylon floss has multiple strands. This means that it won’t fray or break that nylon floss can.

Satin Tape

This floss is wider than most, allowing it to cover a larger surface area. It’s best for cleaning between teeth with large gaps, though it can work between others. It’s also ultra smooth, making it gentle on the gums.

Super Floss

This product aims to meet all your flossing needs in one package. It is pre-cut floss that features three distinct portions: a stiff end for threading around bridges and braces, standard floss to use around the gums, and a spongy section to clean wide gaps and under appliances.

How to Floss Properly: Step-by-Step

The proper approach for flossing depends on the tools you choose and your unique needs. For example, if you have braces, you’ll need to floss differently than someone without them, and prep is easier if you go with flossers over string floss. Understanding that you might need to customize your approach, below is a step-by-step look at how to floss your teeth properly.

1. Figure Out Your Order: Most dentists recommend flossing first, then brushing — that way, the floss can knock debris loose, making it easier to brush it away. However, you might want to reverse the order, or just lightly brush with water first, then floss, and brush again with toothpaste. Ultimately, what matters most is making sure you do both; the order isn’t all that important.
2. Prep Your Floss: Start by dispensing the right amount of floss, and it’s probably more than you’d expect. A good length for most people is the distance between your shoulders, or about 12–18 inches. This usually gives you a string of floss that’s long enough to wrap around your fingers, while still leaving 1–2 inches to work with.
3. Wind Your Floss: You should wrap your floss around your index fingers or middle fingers. Be sure to wind it tightly enough for good control, but not so tight that you cut off circulation — getting the right level of firmness can take some practice. Then, use your thumbs to pinch the floss, making it easier to guide it.
4. Use Two Motions: You will need to floss between all your teeth, from the bottom to the triangular area of the gum line (the papilla). Start by gently guiding the floss between the teeth. Then use a zig-zag motion, being careful not to snap the floss between the teeth. Next, make a C shape with the floss around the tooth and move it up and down, making sure the C shape reaches the edges on the backs of the tooth. Repeat on the other side before moving to the next gap. Be sure to use a clean section of floss for each tooth and always use gentle pressure so you won’t damage your gums.
5. Ask for Guidance if Needed: If you don’t feel like you’re doing it right, ask your dentist or dental hygienist for help. They will be more than happy to show you the proper technique and talk to you about floss alternatives if string floss isn’t right for you.

What if I Have Braces, Bridges, or a Permanent Retainer?

Orthodontic appliances and restorative dentistry are both important forms of treatment for those who need them. But for all the benefits they offer, they can also complicate things — especially flossing.

If you have braces, bridges, or a permanent retainer, you will need to take a special approach. Ask your dentist or orthodontist to teach you the proper techniques so you can get an in-person demonstration, but most will offer the following tips:

Use Waxed Floss

Since braces and bridges have metal pieces and corners that can catch floss, it’s better to go with waxed options. They are smoother and less likely to run into problems.

Use a Floss Threader

Getting floss around the archwire of your braces or the pontic of a dental bridge can be difficult. A floss threader makes it easier to navigate these obstacles.

Be Gentle

You should never floss aggressively, but when you have braces, gentleness is especially important, since rough flossing can damage them. This is less likely with bridges, but taking it slow and gentle is always a good choice.

Remove the Floss Slowly

When removing the floss from between your teeth, gently pull it out and pay close attention to any catching or pulling. If you feel it getting caught, stop and try to maneuver the floss out of it.

Floss More Often

Since there are more spots for food to get caught, you will want to floss more than once a day. Some people find that flossing after every meal is best, since they often spot pieces of food caught around their teeth.

What if Flossing Hurts?

Sometimes, taking care of your teeth is a literal pain. Instinctually, this makes many people give up as soon as they start. After all, pain is usually a signal to stop what you’re doing.

But with flossing, that’s not always the case. There are a lot of reasons flossing might hurt, and you can remedy most of them by continuing to floss once a day. Here are some common causes of flossing-related pain.

• Being New to the Game: If you went a long time without flossing regularly, your gums will probably find the sensation irritating. This can lead to soreness as they acclimate.
• Taking the Wrong Approach: When you don’t floss correctly, pain is more likely, so read up on the proper technique. You can ask your dentist for guidance or even watch YouTube tutorials to help you get the hang of it.
• Having Sensitive Teeth: If you have tooth sensitivity, many things can trigger it, including flossing. It’s not ideal, but you’ll need to keep flossing while simultaneously treating the sensitivity.
• Cavities, Cracks, and Other Decay: Anything that compromises the structure of the teeth leaves them vulnerable to pain, and the pressure of flossing can trigger it.
• Loose Fillings and Crowns: When the cement holding restorations in place becomes weak, it can irritate the teeth. This can cause pain when you floss near them, since it moves the restoration, which can trigger the nerve.
• Gum Diseases: Gum disease can develop whether or not you floss, but it is more common among people who don’t floss regularly. You might attribute your pain to being a newbie flosser, but don’t rule out periodontal disease either.

What Happens if You Don’t Floss?

You can brush your teeth three times a day, use mouthwash after every meal, and it still won’t be enough to keep your teeth clean unless you floss. Only floss and its alternatives offer effective interdental cleaning, and without them, plaque and tartar will build up between the teeth and along the gum line. And that build-up comes with some unwanted side effects.

Bad Breath

If you don’t promptly remove food particles, they’ll start to smell. The plaque that forms from these food particles is pretty stinky too, and the bacteria in your mouth only amplifies it.

Bleeding Gums

When plaque and tartar get below the gum line, it causes irritation and swelling that eventually lead to bleeding. This is bad on its own, but it also signals that you might be developing gingivitis.

Gum Disease

One of the biggest reasons people develop gum disease is inconsistent flossing. From minor gingivitis to full-blown periodontitis, poor interdental cleaning has major consequences for your gum health.

Shifting Teeth

When gum disease sets in, it can compromise your ligaments and jawbone. This allows the teeth to migrate, altering the alignment of your smile, which has both aesthetic and functional repercussions.

Smile Distortion

As your teeth move and you lose bone density in your jaw, your smile changes — sometimes significantly. And if your gum disease results in lost teeth, it can change the appearance of your cheeks, too.

Loose Teeth

This often occurs alongside shifting teeth. When the supporting structures are compromised, the teeth can become loose or even fall out.

Cavities

If you don’t remove plaque from between the teeth and below the gum line, it becomes tartar, which eventually causes cavities. These are especially likely to develop under the gum line where there’s no enamel.

General Health Issues

Gum inflammation and infection are part of periodontal disease. And these side effects have overall health consequences — certain studies have linked them to the development of heart disease and diabetes.

Infection

When issues with the teeth and gums progress, infections can form. This can cause a wide range of issues, from abscesses in the mouth to the infection reaching your bloodstream or brain.

Floss Alternatives

If you choose one of the floss types above, you’ll enjoy a clean and healthy smile. However, not everyone likes dental floss. If this describes you, consider some floss alternatives.

• Water Flossers: Also called oral irrigators, these use a stream of pressurized water that passes through a tiny tip, giving you fine-tuned control over its direction. The water blasts the debris and plaque off the teeth.
• Air Flossers: These are similar to water flossers. In fact, they use water and a small tip, too. But they disperse the water in small droplets while the real power comes from a jet of air.
• Interdental Brushes: These are tiny brushes that look similar to the ones used to clean reusable straws. They’re tiny, so they can go between the teeth and under the gum line.

Keep in mind that while these alternatives work, they might not be for everyone. Consult your dentist before switching to one of them permanently.

Final Thoughts

Flossing is an essential part of your daily oral hygiene routine. However, to get the full benefits, you need to do it right. From the correct floss to the right motions, there are multiple considerations.

With a little practice, research, and guidance from your dentist, you should be able to get your daily oral care routine on point.