Brushing your teeth is an important part of your daily oral hygiene routine, but a toothbrush cannot effectively clean every surface of your teeth. Flossing or using another interdental cleaning method helps remove plaque and food particles from the spaces between your teeth and along the gum line.

Cleaning between your teeth every day can help support healthy gums, reduce plaque buildup, and lower your risk of cavities and gum disease.

Why Is Flossing Important?

Plaque can build up between teeth where toothbrush bristles cannot easily reach. If this buildup is not removed, bacteria can irritate the gums and contribute to cavities and gum disease.

Flossing removes plaque and debris from these hard-to-reach areas and complements your regular brushing routine.

How Often Should You Floss?

For most people, cleaning between the teeth once a day is recommended.

The specific time of day is less important than making interdental cleaning a consistent part of your daily routine. Choose a time when you are most likely to do it thoroughly and regularly.

How to Floss Properly

Proper technique helps clean between your teeth without damaging your gums.

• Start with approximately 18 inches of dental floss.
• Wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand and the remaining floss around the middle finger of the other hand.
• Hold a small section of floss firmly between your fingers.
• Gently guide the floss between your teeth using a back-and-forth motion.
• Curve the floss around one tooth, forming a C shape against the side of the tooth.
• Move the floss gently up and down along the side of the tooth and slightly below the gum line.
• Repeat the process on the adjacent tooth.
• Use a clean section of floss as you move from one space to another.

Be Gentle With Your Gums

Floss should be guided gently between your teeth. Avoid snapping the floss forcefully into your gums, as this can cause unnecessary irritation or injury.

If your gums bleed when you first begin flossing, this may be a sign that your gums are inflamed. Consistent daily cleaning can help improve gum health, but persistent or significant bleeding should be discussed with your dental professional.

Flossing With Dental Work

People with crowns, bridges, braces, dental implants, or other dental restorations may need a different technique or specialized tools to clean effectively between their teeth.

Your dental team can show you the most appropriate way to clean around your specific dental work.

Alternatives to Traditional Floss

Traditional dental floss is not the only option for cleaning between your teeth. Depending on the size and shape of your spaces and your individual needs, another interdental cleaning method may be easier or more effective.

• Floss picks
• Interdental brushes
• Water flossers
• Specialized floss for dental bridges or orthodontic appliances
• Other interdental cleaning devices recommended by your dental professional

The best method is one that allows you to clean effectively and that you can use consistently.

Flossing With Braces

Braces create additional areas where plaque and food particles can collect. Cleaning between the teeth and around orthodontic appliances is therefore especially important.

Specialized floss, floss threaders, interdental brushes, or water flossers may make it easier to clean around brackets and wires.

Flossing With Dental Bridges

A traditional toothbrush and regular floss may not be enough to clean underneath the replacement tooth of a dental bridge.

Specialized floss or a floss threader can be used to access the area beneath the bridge and around the supporting teeth.

Flossing With Dental Implants

Keeping the tissues surrounding a dental implant clean is important for maintaining the health of the implant and surrounding gums.

Your dentist or hygienist can recommend the most appropriate interdental cleaning method based on the type and position of your implant restoration.

Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Floss?

Bleeding during flossing can occur when plaque has accumulated around the gums and the tissues have become inflamed.

If you have not been flossing regularly, your gums may bleed when you first begin. With consistent and gentle cleaning, healthy gums should generally bleed less.

If bleeding continues despite regular oral hygiene, or if you experience swollen, red, tender, or receding gums, schedule an examination so your gum health can be assessed.

Flossing and Gum Disease

Daily interdental cleaning helps control plaque, which is one of the main contributors to gum inflammation and periodontal disease.

Removing plaque from between the teeth can help maintain healthier gums and reduce the risk of gum problems developing or becoming more advanced.

Flossing and Cavities

Cavities can develop between teeth when plaque and food particles remain in areas that are difficult to clean with a toothbrush.

Daily interdental cleaning helps remove this buildup and provides additional protection against tooth decay.

Common Flossing Mistakes

Even people who floss regularly can sometimes miss important areas or use a technique that is less effective.

• Only flossing when food is stuck between your teeth
• Flossing too quickly
• Skipping the back teeth
• Only cleaning the front teeth
• Snapping the floss into the gums
• Failing to curve the floss around each tooth
• Using the same section of floss throughout the entire mouth

Make Flossing Part of Your Daily Routine

Cleaning between your teeth does not have to take a long time. Making it part of your everyday oral hygiene routine can help keep plaque under control and support healthier teeth and gums.

Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth once a day, and visit your dental team regularly for examinations and professional cleanings.

If you’re unsure which interdental cleaning method is right for you, the team at Scarborough Village Dental Care can demonstrate proper techniques and recommend an approach based on your individual oral health needs.