How To Floss Properly: Step-by-Step Guide To Flossing Teeth

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What’s the Best Way to Floss Your Teeth?

Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Valencia Higuera on January 8, 2020

How to floss
Flossing with braces
When to floss
Types of floss
Flossing tools
Takeaway

A man stands in front of a a bathroom mirror with a piece of dental floss held between his hands.

To floss correctly, gently glide the floss up and down against both sides of each tooth. As the floss reaches your gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C shape.

Flossing is an important oral hygiene habit. It cleans and dislodges food stuck between your teeth, which reduces the amount of bacteria and plaque in your mouth. Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on teeth and contributes to cavities and gum disease.

Although many people brush their teeth daily, not everyone flosses their teeth as regularly as they brush. According to a national poll, about 4 in 10 Americans floss their teeth at least once a day, and 20 percent of Americans never floss at all.

Of course, it isn’t enough to simply floss. It’s important to floss correctly. Improper flossing can potentially damage your teeth and gums. So, if you’re unsure about the right way to clean in between your teeth, here’s a step-by-step guide on the best way to floss.

Flossing: What are the steps to follow?

Follow this step-by-step guide to floss your teeth correctly.

Flossing instructions

Break off about 18 to 24 inches of dental floss. To hold the floss correctly, wind most of the floss around both of your middle fingers. Leave only about 1 to 2 inches of floss for your teeth.
Next, hold the floss taut with your thumbs and index fingers.
Place the dental floss in between two teeth. Gently glide the floss up and down, rubbing it against both sides of each tooth. Don’t glide the floss into your gums. This can scratch or bruise your gums.
As the floss reaches your gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C shape. This allows the floss to enter the space between your gums and your tooth.
Repeat the steps as you move from tooth to tooth. With each tooth, use a new, clean section of floss.

What’s the best way to floss with braces?

Flossing with braces can be tricky, and it takes more time than flossing without braces. If you use regular floss, give yourself 10 to 15 minutes to floss your teeth.

With this method, choose waxed floss, which is less likely to tear and get stuck in your braces.

Flossing instructions for braces

Break off about 18 to 24 inches of waxed dental floss.
Stand in front of a mirror so you can make sure the floss is going where you need it to.
Start by threading the floss between your teeth and the main wire. Twist the loose ends of the floss around your index fingers so you can move the floss around easily.
Press the floss between the two teeth as gently as you can. Then, move the floss up and down along the sides of both teeth.
When working on your top teeth, try to make an upside-down U with the floss. To do this, go up the side of one tooth until you get to the gumline. Then, glide the floss down the side of the other tooth.
Gently remove the floss and carefully unthread it from behind the wire. Avoid popping the floss out of your tooth, as you could dislodge a wire.
Now, move on to the next two teeth, and use the same technique until you’ve flossed between all your teeth.

Instead of using waxed floss, other options that work well for flossing if you have braces include using a Waterpik, a type of water flosser, or a floss threader, a small tool that helps you thread floss under your braces. Both can save you time with flossing.

When should you floss?

Knowing the right time to floss also contributes to good oral health. Some people have a routine of brushing their teeth first and then flossing. However, it’s generally recommended to floss and then brush your teeth.

Flossing helps lift and release food and plaque stuck in between your teeth, while brushing removes these particles from your mouth. If you brush first and floss afterward, food and plaque remains in your mouth until the next time you brush.

The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once per day and brushing twice per day.

Types of dental floss

Dental floss comes in many varieties. Which type of floss is best for you depends on your preferences, the amount of space in between your teeth, and whether you have braces or bridges.

Some dental floss is easier to use in wider spaces, whereas other types of floss are easier to use in tighter spaces.

Different types of dental floss include:

Dental tape. This type of dental floss is broader and flat like a ribbon, making it easier to handle if you have braces, gaps, or large spaces in between your teeth.
Standard floss. This is a thin, nylon strand that can fit in between teeth. It comes flavored or unflavored as well as waxed or unwaxed. If your teeth are crowded or closer together, dental floss with a wax coating can make it easier to get in between them.
Super flosses. This dental floss threader can work with braces, bridges, and gaps. It has three components: a stiffened end for flossing underneath appliances, spongy floss to clean around your appliances, and regular floss to eliminate plaque underneath your gumline.

Other tools to make flossing easier

In addition to dental tape, waxed floss, and floss threaders, other tools can make flossing easier and faster.

One option is to use an electric flosser or a water flosser, which uses water and pressure to remove plaque and food from in between teeth. Both are great options if you have trouble using regular floss. A water flosser is also useful if you have braces. This device can clean in between brackets and wires.
Another option is to use disposable floss picks. They’re easy to maneuver and can help you floss hard-to-reach teeth in the back of your mouth.

Takeaway

Good oral hygiene involves more than just brushing your teeth. It also involves flossing and knowing how to floss correctly.

Flossing helps remove bacteria, plaque, and food from between your teeth, and it reduces the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease. Along with regular brushing and flossing, make sure you also schedule regular dental cleanings at least twice a year.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

5 steps to a flawless floss. (n.d.).https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/flossing-steps
Best Waterpik water flossers for dental braces. (n.d.).https://www.waterpik.com/oral-health/dental-needs/braces-orthodontics/best-waterpik-for-braces/
Dental floss types: The pros and cons. (n.d.).https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/solutions/floss/dental-floss-types-pros-cons
Fleming E, et al. (2019). Prevalence of daily flossing among adults by selected risk factors for periodontal disease — United States, 2009–2014.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6434526/
Floss/interdental cleaners. (2019).https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/floss
Manchir M. (2016). Government, ADA recognize importance of flossing.https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/august/association-responds-to-news-story-challenging-benefits-of-dental-floss-use

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Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Valencia Higuera on January 8, 2020

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