How to Use Dental Floss Correctly
Patient-friendly guidance on when dental floss is useful, how to use it gently and effectively, and when an interdental brush may be the better option.
In brief
- Toothbrushing alone does not fully clean tight spaces between teeth.
- Dental floss is not only for removing food debris; its main role is mechanical plaque removal.
- The key points are a C-shape, gentle insertion and cleaning both tooth surfaces separately.
Who may benefit
- Tight interdental spaces where an interdental brush cannot be inserted safely.
- Healthy periodontal tissues where floss can adapt to the side surface of the tooth.
- If spaces are larger, or there is gum recession or periodontal disease, an interdental brush is often more suitable.
Overview
Toothbrushing alone does not fully clean the areas between the teeth. The bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach deeply enough into tight interdental spaces, so bacterial plaque may remain there even if someone brushes regularly and thoroughly.
Cleaning between the teeth is therefore an important part of home oral hygiene.
In tightly positioned teeth, where an interdental brush cannot be inserted safely, dental floss can be a very useful tool. For the right result, however, technique matters: it is not enough to simply pass the floss between two teeth.
Why clean between the teeth?
Below the contact points of the teeth there are areas that a regular toothbrush cannot reach properly.
If plaque regularly remains there, it can contribute to:
- decay between the teeth,
- gum inflammation,
- bleeding gums,
- bad breath,
- and, in susceptible patients, the development or progression of periodontal disease.
The purpose of dental floss is therefore not primarily to “pick out” food from between the teeth. Its most important task is to mechanically remove bacterial plaque from the tooth surface.
Who is dental floss recommended for?
Dental floss is most effective in spaces where the teeth touch each other tightly and an interdental brush cannot fit between them safely.
For larger spaces, gum recession or periodontal disease, floss is usually not the first choice. In these areas, a correctly sized interdental brush can clean a larger surface.
This means the same patient may need dental floss in some spaces and different sizes of interdental brushes in others.
The goal is not to use one tool at all costs, but to clean each interdental space with the tool that fits its anatomy.
How to use dental floss correctly
- 1
Take about 30-45 cm of floss
Wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand, and the other end around the middle finger of the other hand.
Hold the floss with your thumbs and index fingers so that only a few centimetres remain tight between your hands.
This helps you control the floss precisely.
- 2
Guide it gently through the contact point
Move the floss carefully and with control between the teeth.
Do not snap or force it down into the gum.
If floss suddenly hits the gum, it can injure the gum papilla and cause pain or bleeding.
If the teeth are very tight, use a gentle back-and-forth movement to help the floss pass through the contact point.
- 3
Form a C-shape around one tooth
This is the most important part of flossing.
Once the floss has passed between the teeth, do not simply pull it out immediately.
Adapt the floss to the side of one tooth so it wraps around it in a C-shape.
Then move it gently up and down along the tooth surface, carefully entering just under the gumline.
The aim is not to cut deeply into the gum. Guide the floss only as far as it moves easily, without resistance or pain.
- 4
Clean the surface of the other tooth as well
There are two tooth surfaces in one interdental space.
After cleaning one side, turn the C-shape toward the other tooth and clean that side in the same way.
This is very important.
If you only pass the floss through once and pull it out, much of the plaque may remain on the side surfaces of the teeth.
- 5
Move through every interdental space
Use a clean section of floss for each new space.
Wind the used part onto one finger and release a fresh section from the other side.
Do not forget the back surface of the last teeth. Even though there is no neighbouring tooth behind them, this surface can also be cleaned with floss.
How often should you floss?
Interdental cleaning is generally recommended at least once a day.
It is not necessary to floss every time you brush. For many patients, the simplest option is to make it part of the evening oral hygiene routine.
It can be useful to clean between the teeth first, then brush with fluoride toothpaste.
The most important points are regularity and the right technique.
Is bleeding normal when flossing?
If someone has not cleaned between the teeth regularly before, the gums may bleed at first. This is often caused by inflammation due to plaque that has built up in those areas.
In this situation, flossing does not necessarily need to be stopped. On the contrary, with gentle and correct interdental cleaning, gum inflammation and bleeding often decrease over time.
However, it is important to distinguish bleeding caused by inflammation from injury caused by poor technique.
If the floss is snapped into the gum forcefully, even healthy gum tissue can be injured.
If bleeding is regular, marked, affects several areas, or does not improve despite good oral hygiene, a dental or dental hygiene examination is recommended. Persistent bleeding may also be a sign of gingivitis or periodontal disease.
Dental floss or interdental brush?
They are not competitors; they are tools for different anatomical situations.
- tight interdental spaces,
- healthy periodontal tissues,
- areas where an interdental brush cannot pass through safely.
- larger spaces between teeth,
- gum recession,
- periodontal disease,
- certain bridges and implant-supported restorations.
The right tool should always be selected based on the size and shape of the interdental space.
Which dental floss should you choose?
Both waxed and unwaxed traditional floss can be used.
In very tight spaces, many people find thinner, smoother or waxed floss easier to use.
Wider dental tape can also be comfortable for some patients.
The most important factor is not the brand or form, but whether the patient can use the tool regularly and with the right technique.
Can floss picks be used?
Yes. A floss pick or pre-threaded floss holder can be practical for patients who find traditional floss difficult to handle.
The same principle still applies:
- the floss should not only pass through the contact point; it should be adapted to the side surfaces of both teeth whenever possible.
If traditional floss is too difficult technically, using an easier tool regularly is much better than skipping interdental cleaning altogether.
What about bridges, implants or braces?
In these situations, traditional floss alone is often not enough or cannot be used properly.
Under bridges, for example, floss cannot simply be passed from above, so special threadable floss, Superfloss or a floss threader may be needed.
For implants, larger spaces and periodontal problems, interdental brushes or other special tools are often chosen. See also our guide to dental implant care.
With braces, special technique and additional tools may also be necessary.
This is why personalised oral hygiene instruction is especially important.
Common flossing mistakes
- Passing the floss between the teeth only once. This does not clean the side surfaces properly.
- Snapping the floss into the gum. This can cause injury.
- Using floss only to remove food debris. The real goal is bacterial plaque removal.
- Using the same short section in every space. It is better to move to a clean section regularly.
- Skipping the back teeth, where plaque often remains.
- Stopping interdental cleaning completely because of bleeding. If bleeding is caused by inflammation, proper cleaning is part of solving the problem.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I clean between my teeth?
The areas under the contact points cannot be reached properly by a regular toothbrush. Plaque left there may contribute to interdental decay, gum inflammation, bleeding and bad breath.
Who is dental floss recommended for?
Dental floss is most useful in tight spaces where the teeth touch closely and an interdental brush cannot fit safely. Larger spaces often need an interdental brush instead.
How often should I floss?
Interdental cleaning is generally recommended at least once a day. Many patients find it easiest to include it in their evening routine.
Is it normal if my gums bleed?
Bleeding may occur at first if plaque has caused inflammation. With gentle and correct cleaning, it often improves. Persistent or heavy bleeding should be checked by a dentist or dental hygienist.
Is floss or an interdental brush better?
Neither is universally better. Floss is useful for tight contacts, while interdental brushes are often better for larger spaces, gum recession and periodontal problems.
Summary
Correct flossing is not simply about passing a string between two teeth.
The right technique includes:
- interdental cleaning once a day,
- gentle passage through the contact point,
- forming a C-shape around one tooth,
- gentle up-and-down movement to the gumline,
- then repeating the same on the other tooth surface,
- cleaning every interdental space thoroughly,
- avoiding injury to the gum.
It is also important that floss is not ideal for every space. In larger spaces, periodontal disease or gum recession, an interdental brush is often the better choice.
During ultrasonic tartar removal, we do not only remove deposits. We can also show you personally where floss is useful, where an interdental brush is better, and what technique is right for your own teeth.
Related reading
These related resources can help you understand oral hygiene in a wider context.
Professional cleaning is the foundation of healthy oral hygiene
Ultrasonic tartar removal helps remove deposits that cannot be cleaned safely with home care alone. During the appointment, we also show you the right technique for your own teeth, so brushing, interdental cleaning and gumline care can work together in everyday life.
