Reviewed by Dr. Alan Baughman, DMD, MBA
Reading time: three minutes
Most people brush their teeth every day, but many still struggle with flossing correctly. If flossing feels awkward, painful, or ineffective, the problem is often the technique rather than the flossing itself.
Table of Contents
- How to Floss Your Teeth With String Floss
- How to Floss With Braces
- Oral Hygiene Guidance at Clearwater Dentistry
- Professional Dental Cleaning in Greeley, CO
- FAQs
How to Floss Your Teeth With String Floss
Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles from areas your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is recommended at least once per day using a consistent technique that cleans both sides of every tooth.
Use this flossing technique:
- Use about 18 inches of floss. Wrap most of the floss around one middle finger and the rest around the other hand. Leave about two inches to work with.
- Guide the floss gently between the teeth. Use a gentle sawing motion. Avoid snapping the floss into the gums.
- Form a C-shape around the tooth. Once the floss reaches the gumline, curve it against the side of the tooth.
- Move the floss up and down. Slide it carefully along the tooth surface, reaching slightly under the gumline.
- Clean both sides of each space. Every gap between teeth has two tooth surfaces. Floss each side before moving to the next space.
- Use a clean section of floss for each tooth. Unwind fresh floss as you move through the mouth.
This technique removes plaque from the narrow areas between teeth where toothbrush bristles cannot reach.
How to Floss With Braces
Flossing with braces requires a slightly different approach because the orthodontic wire blocks direct access between teeth. Special tools make the process easier.
Common options include:
Floss Threaders
A floss threader works like a needle for floss. You insert the floss through the threader and guide it under the orthodontic wire before flossing normally.
Orthodontic Floss
Some floss products are designed specifically for braces. They have a stiff end that slides easily under the wire.
Water Flossers
A water flosser uses a stream of water to flush plaque and food particles around brackets and wires. Many orthodontic patients use water flossers along with traditional floss.
When flossing with braces, focus on cleaning both the area under the wire and the sides of each tooth.
Oral Hygiene Guidance at Clearwater Dentistry
Our hygienists spend time with patients during cleanings reviewing brushing and flossing habits. If flossing is difficult or uncomfortable, they can walk you through the proper technique and show you how to improve your technique.
They also help patients choose tools that fit their needs. Small adjustments to your daily routine can make a big difference in removing plaque and protecting your teeth and gums between visits.
Professional Dental Cleaning in Greeley, CO
We are always accepting new patients at Clearwater Dentistry. To book an appointment at our dental office in Greeley, CO, call (970) 515-3550 or visit us at 3110 67th Ave Pl, Greeley, CO.
FAQs
Either order works as long as you floss once per day. Many dentists recommend flossing before brushing so toothpaste can reach the cleaned spaces between teeth.
Dentists recommend flossing at least once per day to remove plaque and food particles from between teeth.
Waxed floss or dental tape often works better for tight spaces because it slides more easily between teeth.
Water flossers are very effective at removing plaque and bacteria from between teeth and along the gumline. Many dentists recommend them for people with braces, dental work, or difficulty using traditional floss. While string floss physically scrapes plaque from the sides of teeth, water flossers can still provide excellent plaque removal and gum health benefits when used properly.
