Floss Your Teeth

Dental flossing plays a vital role in your oral hygiene routine because it reaches the one place your toothbrush simply cannot — the gaps between your teeth. Unless you are using a specially designed interdental brush, a standard toothbrush will not clean these tight spaces. And while they may seem insignificant, the surfaces between your teeth account for close to half of the total tooth surface area. That means skipping floss leaves nearly half your teeth uncleaned every single day.

Make flossing a consistent daily habit and you will go a long way towards protecting your gums and keeping disease at bay.

How do you floss correctly?

Unwind approximately 45 centimetres of floss and wrap the ends around your fingers, leaving a short working section in between. Ease the floss gently into the space between two teeth using a smooth back-and-forth sliding motion — avoid snapping it down into the gum tissue. Once in position, curve the floss into a gentle C-shape around each tooth and glide it just beneath the gumline to dislodge plaque where the tooth meets the gum.

Children should begin flossing as soon as neighbouring teeth start touching each other. Younger children will need a parent or caregiver to help them floss until they develop the dexterity to manage it independently.

Flossing the Right Way for Healthier Teeth

Good oral hygiene is a cornerstone of overall health and wellbeing. While most people understand the importance of daily brushing, fewer are confident that they are flossing correctly — or doing it at all. Growing evidence continues to reinforce just how much of a difference proper flossing makes to long-term dental health. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about flossing effectively.

What Is Flossing?

Flossing is the practice of passing a thin strand of thread-like material through the contact points between teeth to remove trapped food debris, bacterial buildup, and plaque. It is a fundamental component of good oral hygiene and plays a meaningful role in preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and persistent bad breath — problems that brushing alone simply cannot fully address.

The Correct Way to Floss

Using the right technique is just as important as flossing at all. Follow these steps to ensure you are getting the most out of your flossing routine:

Select the Right Type of Floss — Floss comes in several varieties, including waxed, unwaxed, flavoured, and tape-style options. Choose whichever type feels most comfortable and slides easily between your teeth.
Use an Adequate Length — Pull off a generous piece — around 45 centimetres — so that you have enough to use a fresh section for each tooth and avoid transferring bacteria from one gap to another.
Hold It Properly — Grip the floss between your thumbs and index fingers, leaving a short section taut between them. Wind the excess around your middle fingers on each hand so you can advance to a clean portion as you work around your mouth.
Guide It Gently — Ease the floss between teeth with a gentle zigzag motion rather than forcing or snapping it. Aggressive downward pressure can cut into and inflame the gum tissue, causing unnecessary bleeding and discomfort.
Clean Each Surface Thoroughly — Once the floss is between two teeth, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth and slide it up and down — including slightly below the gumline — before repeating on the adjacent tooth. Work your way around every tooth in the mouth, including the rear molars that are easy to miss.
Rinse Afterwards — Complete your routine by rinsing with a mouthwash or a swish of warm water to flush away any loosened debris or bacteria still present in the mouth.

Why Is Flossing So Important?

The benefits of regular, correct flossing extend well beyond simply removing the odd piece of food from between your teeth. Here is what consistent flossing does for your oral and overall health:

Helps Prevent Tooth Decay — By clearing away food residue and plaque from the spaces between teeth, flossing removes the conditions that allow cavity-causing bacteria to flourish and erode enamel.
Lowers the Risk of Gum Disease — Plaque that accumulates along and beneath the gumline is a primary driver of gum inflammation. Regular flossing disrupts this buildup before it has the chance to irritate or infect the gum tissue.
Keeps Breath Fresh — Trapped food particles and the bacteria that feed on them are a common source of unpleasant breath. Flossing removes them, leaving the mouth noticeably cleaner and fresher.
Supports Your General Health — Research has established links between poor oral hygiene and a range of systemic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. By keeping your mouth cleaner and reducing bacterial load, flossing contributes to better health outcomes beyond just your teeth and gums.

Summary

Flossing is a non-negotiable part of a complete oral hygiene routine. It addresses the areas that brushing cannot reach, protecting your teeth from decay, your gums from disease, and your breath from the bacteria that cause it. The technique you use matters — gentle, thorough, and consistent is the goal. Aim to floss at least once every day, in combination with brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and attending regular professional check-ups and cleans with your dentist.