How Often Should You Floss?

Flossing is a pillar of any good oral care routine. But while we all know that we should floss, many of us don’t know how often to do it.

From people who only floss a couple times a week to those who are a little overzealous with their interdental cleaning, many of us are getting it wrong. So, how often should you floss and what should your schedule look like? We have the answers right here.

Why Flossing Matters

Many of us have a dirty little secret: we don’t like flossing. Brushing twice a day, two minutes per session? Not a problem. Flossing even once a day? Not a fan.

No judgment here. In fact, there are plenty of reasons to dislike flossing. It takes more time than brushing or rinsing with mouthwash. It requires more dexterity too. It can even be painful or cause bleeding, and no one wants blood in their mouth. All of this is probably why just 31% of Americans floss every day.

But no matter how you feel about flossing, it’s essential to good oral and overall health. Even the fanciest toothbrush has its limits when cleaning between the teeth and under the gums. Floss gets everywhere your toothbrush can’t, eliminating plaque before it calcifies into cavity-causing tartar. And those cavities — plus the possibility of gum disease — are why flossing is so essential.

How Often to Floss

So, you know you need to floss, but how often is often enough? That’s an important question. The primary goal of flossing is to disturb plaque before it can calcify into tartar — a hard substance that causes cavities, and that you cannot remove on your own.

That calcification can happen in as little as 24 hours, which is why the American Dental Association suggests everyone floss once a day. Even so, a one-and-done approach isn’t always right for everyone.

Once a day is the minimum — a healthy frequency for the average person. But depending on your overall and oral health, twice a day could be better. And some people require more than that. If you have food stuck between your teeth and you can either see or feel it, go ahead and floss! And if you have gum disease, ask your dentist about how often you need to floss. It might be after every meal.

Anyone with crowded teeth might need to floss more often, since overlapping or crooked teeth can be harder to clean effectively. Yet orthodontic appliances like braces can also demand more frequent flossing, since they trap food particles. It’s more difficult to floss around brackets and wire, but floss threaders can make it much easier. If you have an oral appliance and you’re unsure how or when to floss, ask your dentist or orthodontist.

Assuming you don’t have misaligned teeth, braces, or any food stuck in your teeth — and your dentist hasn’t told you otherwise — flossing once a day should be fine. But don’t be afraid to ask your dentist at your next check-up if a different frequency might be better for you.

When Is the Best Time to Floss?

The official recommendation from the American Dental Association is to floss whenever it is most convenient for you. This depends on when you have the time, when you’re the most comfortable flossing, and when you’ll actually remember to do it.

For example, some people like to start their day with squeaky clean teeth, and they wake up early enough that they have lots of time before work. For them, morning is the right time. Others prefer to get their teeth as clean as possible before bed, and they have more time to spend on flossing at night. This makes bedtime the right time for them.

But what if you don’t have a preferred time? In that case, before bed is best. It gives your teeth the maximum number of consecutive hours without food particles, helping prevent plaque and tartar — unless you’re a midnight snacker.

Can You Floss Too Much?

Yes, you can. The primary risk of too much flossing is irritating the gum tissue. Part of proper flossing is getting up around and under the gum line, removing plaque that settles into the gingival pockets. Floss too often and that proper technique can cause bleeding, inflammation, and even gum recession — and once the gums recede, they don’t grow back on their own.

A smaller (but still present) risk is wearing down the enamel on the sides of your teeth. Enamel is the strongest substance in the body, but it can erode over time. Like your gums, once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. And since it protects the sensitive inner tissues of the teeth, they’ll be vulnerable to bacteria and cavities.

Types of Floss (and Floss Alternatives)

At this point, you probably have a good idea of your ideal flossing schedule, but what type of floss is best? You have more options than you might realize. Below are a few of the most common ones.

Floss Picks

These are the top choice for most people. Easier to use than string floss and small enough to take on the go, floss picks are far more convenient than most other types of floss. You can also use them with one hand, so they are good for people with arthritis and other disabilities.

Nylon Floss

When you think of string floss, this is likely what you picture. This type of floss can be waxed or unwaxed. Waxed nylon floss is a little more difficult to grip, but it glides better and is gentler on the gums, while unwaxed floss offers more control.

Monofilament Floss

This is pretty similar to nylon floss, but while nylon floss is made from multiple fiber strands — and therefore susceptible to fraying — monofilament floss is just one strand of fiber.

Satin Tape

Thin floss isn’t ideal for people with gapped teeth. Satin tape is wider than most, covering a larger surface idea. Although it’s perfect for dental gaps, it works for averaged-spaced teeth as well. It’s also incredibly smooth and less likely to irritate the gums.

Super Floss

This type of floss aims to meet all flossing needs at once. It‘s pre-cut, so you don’t need to measure, and it comes with three distinct sections: a stiff end that easily threads around braces and bridges, standard floss for around the gums, and a spongy section suited to wide gaps and cleaning under appliances.

Floss Alternatives

Not everyone likes floss or finds it easy to use. Whether you have an appliance, mobility issue, or just don’t like the feeling of string between your teeth, there are a few alternatives to consider.

• Water Flossers: Also called water picks and oral irrigators, they direct pressurized water through a small tip. The force behind the water is strong enough to blast food particles and plaque off the teeth.
• Air Flossers: These are very similar to water flossers, but instead of using a water stream, they combine small droplets with a jet of air. The effect is nearly identical to water flossers, but with less of a mess.
• Interdental Brushes: These are tiny brushes that look similar to those for cleaning reusable straws. They’re small enough to fit between the teeth and use along the gum line.

These options all work well, but they might not be ideal for everyone. Consult your dentist before ditching standard floss options.

How to Floss: Step by Step

There’s more than one correct way to floss. If you use a floss pick, your approach will be different than using string, and if you have braces, you’ll need to use different tactics than you would if you were appliance-free.

Understanding that you might need to customize your approach, below is a step-by-step look at how to floss properly.

1. Determine Your Order: Flossing first, then brushing is the typical order for at-home oral care — it ensures the floss knocks debris loose so it is easy to brush away. But this order isn’t ideal for everyone. You might want to reverse it, or even brush with water first, then floss, and then brush with toothpaste. The most important thing is making sure you do both, whichever order you choose.
2. Prep Your Floss: Begin by taking the right amount of floss. And keep in mind, it’s probably more than you think. Most guides suggest 12–18 inches — more or less the distance between your shoulders if you aren’t good at estimating. This should be long enough to wrap around your fingers while still leaving about 1–2 inches to use.
3. Wind Your Floss: You’ll need the string between your fingers taut to clean effectively, which means wrapping the ends around either your middle or index fingers. It should be tight enough for good control but loose enough it won’t cut off your circulation. Use your thumbs to pinch the floss, allowing you to guide it between your teeth.
4. Use Two Motions: Floss between all your teeth, starting at the bottom and moving up to the triangular spot on the gum line (called the papilla). Gently guide the floss between your teeth, then use a zig-zag motion to move it, 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. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth and always use gentle pressure so you won’t damage your gums.

Final Thoughts

There is no hard and fast rule about how often to floss. Once a day is the minimum, but two, even three times a day might be better for you, depending on your unique circumstances.

Yet just as important as frequency is selecting the right tools and using the correct techniques for the job. While it might feel overwhelming at first, once you get into a rhythm, flossing gets easier.