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How to Floss Correctly

Why Cleaning Between Teeth is Important

Brushing cleans the front, back, and chewing surfaces of your teeth — but it cannot clean between teeth. This is where plaque commonly builds up and where gum disease and tooth decay often begin. Cleaning between teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes is essential for maintaining healthy gums.


Research consistently shows that toothbrushes alone remove plaque from only about 60% of tooth surfaces, leaving the areas between teeth uncleaned.


Colgate professional guidance states that interdental cleaning removes plaque from areas a toothbrush cannot reach, helping prevent gum disease and cavities.


Oral-B educational resources also emphasise that plaque accumulation between teeth is a major contributor to gingivitis, periodontitis, and interproximal decay, and daily interdental cleaning significantly improves gum health.

Scientific reviews show that flossing combined with toothbrushing reduces gingivitis more effectively than brushing alone, particularly when performed correctly.

Traditional Floss

  1. Use about 30–40 cm of floss
  2. Wrap most around one middle finger
  3. Wrap the rest around the opposite middle finger
  4. Hold floss tightly between thumbs and index fingers
  5. Gently slide floss between teeth (do not snap)
  6. Curve the floss into a C-shape around one tooth
  7. Slide floss under the gumline
  8. Move up and down several times
  9. Repeat on the neighbouring tooth surface
  10. Move to a clean section of floss for each tooth

The most important step is curving the floss around the tooth, rather than simply snapping it straight up and down.


Colgate and Oral-B both recommend the C-shape technique for effective plaque removal under the gumline.

Floss Picks

  1. Hold the handle firmly
  2. Gently guide floss between teeth
  3. Curve floss against one tooth
  4. Slide under the gumline
  5. Move up and down
  6. Repeat on adjacent tooth
  7. Rinse floss pick as needed

Although floss picks are convenient, it is still important to curve the floss around the tooth, not just pop it in and out.

Oral-B and Colgate both note that floss picks can be effective when used with correct technique, especially for improving patient compliance.

Interdental Brushes

  1. Choose the correct size (should fit snugly but not forcefully)
  2. Insert gently between teeth
  3. Move back and forth 2–3 times
  4. Do not force the brush
  5. Rinse after each use
  6. Replace when bristles wear

Interdental brushes should slide comfortably — forcing them can damage gums.

Colgate and Oral-B both recommend interdental brushes as an effective method for plaque removal between teeth, particularly for periodontal patients.

Water Piks

Start on Low Pressure

  • Begin on low setting
  • Increase gradually as comfortable
  • High pressure is not necessary

This helps prevent gum discomfort when first startin


Aim at the Gum Line

Place the tip:

  • At 90 degrees to the tooth surface
  • Slightly angled toward the gumline
  • Just above where the tooth meets the gum

Manufacturer guidance recommends placing the tip close to teeth and gently gliding along the gumline, pausing briefly between teeth.


Move Slowly from Tooth-to-Tooth

  • Pause between each tooth
  • Allow water to flush between teeth
  • Follow the gumline around the mouth

Do not rush — slow movement improves effectiveness

Floss vs Interdental Brushes

It depends on your teeth.

Use floss or floss picks if:

  • Teeth are tight together
  • Contacts are narrow
  • Young patients
  • No gum recession


Use interdental brushes if:

  • Spaces between teeth
  • Gum recession
  • Gum disease
  • Implants or bridges
  • Orthodontics

Many patients benefit from a combination of both.