Brushing twice a day is important, but brushing alone can’t reach every part of your mouth. The spaces between your teeth and under the gumline are where plaque loves to hide—and where your toothbrush can’t get to. That’s why flossing isn’t optional; it’s essential. Done correctly, it helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath, all while keeping your smile bright and healthy.
Unfortunately, many people either skip flossing or use the wrong technique, making it far less effective. The good news? Flossing properly doesn’t take long, and once you learn the right motion—gently curving the floss in a C-shape against each tooth and sliding it beneath the gumline—it becomes second nature. By making flossing part of your daily routine, you’re investing in long-term oral health and avoiding bigger dental issues down the road.
Proper Flossing Technique
You’ve heard that flossing is good for your dental hygiene, but might be wondering why — or how to do it correctly. Well, proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush can’t easily reach — under the gumline and between your teeth. Because plaque build-up can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, daily flossing is highly recommended.
To receive maximum benefits from flossing, use the following proper technique:
- Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with.
- Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth.
- Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue.
- Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
- To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.
What type of floss should I use?
There are two types of floss from which to choose:
- Nylon (or multifilament) floss
- PTFE (monofilament) floss
Nylon floss is available waxed and unwaxed, and in a variety of flavors. Because this type of floss is composed of many strands of nylon, it may sometimes tear or shred, especially between teeth with tight contact points. While more expensive, single filament (PTFE) floss slides easily between teeth, even those with tight spaces between teeth, and is virtually shred-resistant. When used properly, both types of floss are excellent at removing plaque and debris.
If it’s hard to use regular floss, you can try floss picks, water flossing or a variety of alternative flossing tools. No matter how you do it, cleaning between your teeth will help keep your smile sparkling.
Come in for a cleaning—and we’ll explain what real flossing is. ChesterSpringsDental.com
Perfect your oral hygiene routine and protect your smile for years to come. At Chester Springs Dental, Dr. Richard Gross and his team are here to help you with personalized guidance, preventive care, and advanced treatments. Schedule your appointment today at 610-524-9530 or join our Instagram community @chesterspringsdental.
Reference: [https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/brushing-and-flossing/flossing-how-to]
