Flossing: How to Floss Your Teeth Properly - Radix Dentistry (2025)

In addition tobrushing your teethevery day, flossing plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimal oral health. While brushing scrubs the surfaces of your teeth, it may not reach the gaps in between them. This leaves these areas susceptible to plaque growth. By flossing, you’re effectively removing bacteria from between these tight spaces in between your teeth, as well as caring for your gumline.

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Thread floss

This is the most common type of dental floss. It’s made of nylon strands twisted together and glides smoothly, making it a great option if you have tight spaces between your teeth.

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Waxed and unwaxed floss

Waxed floss has a smooth coating and glides well, making it easier to get between tight spaces. It's less likely to shred and often comes in flavored options. Some waxed floss also comes in different flavors—so you can enjoy mint, cinnamon or bubblegum to enhance your flossing experience.Unwaxed floss is thinner and lacks wax coating, providing a natural feel. This type of floss works best if you have wider tooth spacing or unique dental work you need to floss around.

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Tape floss

Dental tape is wider and flatter than traditional floss, making it a nice choice if you have wider gaps between your teeth.

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Super floss

This is a multifunctional type of floss that combines different textures and thicknesses. It typically has a stiff end for threading through braces or dental appliances and a spongy middle section for cleaning around dental work.

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Floss picks

Floss picks are disposable plastic tools with a short strand of floss stretched between two prongs. They often have a handle for easy gripping and are convenient for on-the-go flossing.

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Dental brushes (interdental brushes)

These are small brushes designed to clean between teeth. They come in various sizes to accommodate different tooth spaces and can be an alternative option to traditional floss.

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Water flosser

A water flosser, also known as dental water jet, or an oral irrigator, is used for oral hygiene to supplement traditional dental flossing. It uses a pressurized water stream to clean between teeth and along the gumline.

Select a dental floss that you’re comfortable with—whether waxed, unwaxed or floss picks for convenience

Cut an 18 to 24-inch piece of floss, wrapping the ends around your fingers, leaving a few inches for maneuvering

Hold the floss between your thumbs and forefingers, creating a taut section to guide between teeth

Gently slide the floss between teeth, using a back-and-forth motion to ease it through tight spaces

Pay attention to the gumline where plaque accumulates. Brush all the outer and inner tooth surfaces.

Using a back-and-forth motion, brush the chewing surfaces of your molars. Gently brush your tongue for fresh breath, too.

Form a C-shape around each tooth with the floss, ensuring it reaches below the gumline. Glide the floss along the side of each tooth, moving in an up-and-down motion

As you continue to floss, unwind a clean section of floss for each tooth to prevent transferring bacteria between teeth

Pay special attention to the back teeth where plaque can accumulate. Utilize a gentle sawing motion to navigate the floss into these spaces

Be gentle on your teeth and gums, avoiding forceful or aggressive movements

After flossing, rinse your mouth with water to remove dislodged particles. Dispose of the used floss in a trash bin

Floss at least once daily, ideally before brushing your teeth, to maintain your best oral hygiene

Ensure optimaloral hygieneby incorporating daily flossing into your routine. Choose a high-quality dental floss, like waxed or unwaxed, and follow proper techniques to effectively remove plaque.

For optimal oral hygiene, we recommend flossing beforebrushing your teeth. By flossing first, you remove plaque and debris, making your brushing process more effective at cleaning your teeth and gums.

We encourage you to floss once a day, preferably before brushing your teeth. Consistent daily flossing helps remove plaque,prevent gum disease, and maintain your healthy smile.

For effective flossing with braces, use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to navigate between wires and brackets. Gently slide the floss between each tooth and the arch wire, ensuring a thorough clean.

To floss properly, start with an 18-inch strand of dental floss and gently slide it between teeth. Next, form a ‘C’ shape around each tooth and clean both sides. Make flossing a daily habit to remove plaque and debris, promoting optimal oral health and a brighter smile.

Your gums may bleed during flossing due togingivitis, an inflammation caused by plaque buildup. Consistent flossing, along with regulardental check-ups, can help alleviate bleeding gums by promoting gum health and preventing gum disease.