We all know it: you’re supposed to floss. But there’s often a gap between knowing that and actually doing it correctly. A poor technique, missed spots, or a routine abandoned after a few days… and the benefits disappear. Here’s how to actually do it right.
Start by holding the floss correctly
Before you even get to your teeth, how you hold the floss makes a difference. Cut a piece about 40 to 45 cm long… That might sound like a lot, but you’ll see why. Wind both ends around your middle fingers, leaving a 3 to 5 cm section of taut floss between your thumbs and index fingers. This is the section you’ll actually use.
The idea behind winding the floss around your fingers instead of just holding it directly is to always have a clean section available. For each space between teeth, you unwind slightly on one side to move on to a fresh section. That way, you’re not spreading bacteria from one space to another.
Step-by-step technique
Once you have a good grip on the floss, here’s how to proceed for each space:
- Gently slide the floss between two teeth: use a light back-and-forth motion. Never force it — snapping the floss down suddenly can hurt your gums.
- Form a “C” shape around the tooth: once at the bottom, curve the floss against the surface of one tooth and move it up and down to scrape away plaque. Repeat on the same side for the neighbouring tooth in that same space.
- Slide slightly below the gumline: this is where plaque builds up the most and where a toothbrush can’t reach well. The goal isn’t to hurt yourself, but to dislodge what’s hiding in that space.
- Move to a clean section of floss: to clean each new space.
Don’t skip any teeth
This is the most common mistake: people start with the front teeth, lose steam halfway through, and the back molars get neglected. Yet that’s often exactly where cavities between teeth and gum problems develop first, precisely because those areas are hard to reach and rarely cleaned well.
The rule is simple: floss everywhere, every time. From the back left to the back right, top and bottom. No exceptions.
Why should you floss every day?
Floss isn’t a “bonus” for good hygiene. It should be a core part of your daily routine, and here’s why:
- Brushing only cleans about 60% of tooth surfaces: the spaces between teeth are simply out of reach for a toothbrush, no matter how good it is.
- Plaque re-forms within 4 to 12 hours, and tartar within 24 to 36 hours: if you wait two or three days between flossing sessions, plaque has already had time to harden into tartar — and at that point, only a professional cleaning can remove it.
- Gum disease starts between the teeth: gingivitis, and later periodontitis, often develop in these neglected spaces. Gums that bleed when you floss aren’t a reason to stop… On the contrary, it’s a sign that you need to keep at it, consistently.
- Cavities between teeth are among the most common: they can only be detected with an X-ray, given their location.
The more you do it, the faster it gets
Here’s the good news: flossing is a skill you can learn. The first few times can feel tedious, especially for the back spaces. But with practice, the motion becomes automatic and the whole routine takes less than two minutes. The hardest part is building the habit. Once it’s in place, it takes almost no effort at all.
Have questions about your oral hygiene or your technique? The team at Dentown Dental Centre is here to guide you at your next appointment.