How to Floss Properly: An Orthodontist’s Step-by-Step Guide

When you think, read or hear about how important it is to floss regularly, do you feel a little guilty because you’re pretty sure you’re not doing it right, or often enough? You’re not alone. Despite knowing how important it is, many of us struggle to make flossing a consistent part of our oral hygiene routine.

Here’s the thing: learning how to floss properly is one of the most essential skills for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. While brushing does a brilliant job cleaning the surfaces of your teeth, it simply can’t reach those tricky gaps where plaque loves to hide. That’s where flossing comes in, acting as your secret weapon against tooth decay and gum disease.

This step-by-step guide will help you master the process of flossing, ensuring you get the most out of this crucial dental habit. With the right technique and tools, flossing can become second nature – and your smile will thank you for it.

Why Flossing is a Game-Changer for Your Smile

Think your toothbrush is doing all the heavy lifting? Think again. Even the most thorough brushing with the best toothbrush only cleans about 60% of your tooth surfaces, according to research by the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. This means you need another way to get rid of the remaining 40% of plaque and food particles left between your teeth, like uninvited guests at a party. One way is by flossing. 

When you skip flossing, here’s what happens:

Gingivitis creeps in: Those red, swollen, or bleeding gums aren’t just annoying, they’re your mouth's way of waving a red flag. This is the first stage of gum disease (periodontal disease), yet it’s completely preventable.

Cavities take hold: Bacteria trapped between teeth create acid that leads to tooth decay and gum disease. It’s like giving harmful bacteria their own private workshop to wreak havoc.

Bad breath becomes your unwelcome companion: Those trapped food scraps and bacteria don’t just sit there quietly. They create the kind of bad breath that makes people step back during conversations.

The good news? Regular interdental cleaning (that is, cleaning between the teeth), like flossing, removes up to 40% more plaque than brushing alone. Research consistently shows that people who floss regularly have significantly healthier gums and fewer cavities. It’s one of those simple habits that delivers impressive results.

Step-by-Step Guide: Mastering the Correct Flossing Technique

Ready to become a flossing pro? Here’s the proper technique:

Getting Started: The Right Amount of Floss

First things first: don’t be stingy with your floss. Pull out about 45-50 centimetres (roughly 18-24 inches) of dental floss. That might seem like a lot, but trust us, you’ll need it. Use the length of your forearm as a guide – that’s your sweet spot.

Wind most of the floss around your middle fingers, leaving about 5 centimetres (2 inches) between your thumbs and index fingers to hold the floss tightly. This short length gives you the control needed to gently slide the floss where it needs to go without losing your grip.

The Magic Move: Creating the “C” Shape

Here’s where the real technique comes in. Gently guide the floss between two teeth using a soft sawing motion – no aggressive snapping that’ll make your gums wince. Once you reach the gumline, curve the floss into a “C” shape around the side of one tooth.

Now comes the crucial part: gently slide it just below the gumline until you feel slight resistance. Move the floss up and down along the side of the tooth, almost like you’re giving it a gentle hug. This C-shape movement is what separates amateur flossing from the proper flossing technique that actually works.

Remember to use a fresh section of floss for each tooth. It might feel wasteful, but using used floss is like cleaning your kitchen with a dirty cloth – you’re just moving bacteria around rather than removing it.

Don’t Forget the Back Teeth

Those back teeth are like the forgotten corners of a room – easy to ignore but absolutely essential to clean. Your molars are particularly susceptible to problems because they’re harder to reach and often missed during quick flossing sessions.

Here are some tricks for tackling those tricky back teeth:

• Don't open your mouth too wide, as it actually makes it harder to manoeuvre.
• Relax your jaw to give yourself more room to work.
• Consider trying unwaxed floss if your regular waxed floss feels too thick for tight spaces back there.

If you’re still struggling, alternatives like water flossers or floss picks can make flossing these areas much more manageable.

Finding the Right Flossing Tools for Your Needs

The beauty of modern dental care is choice. Today, there are more types of dental floss and alternatives available than ever before. The best type of floss is simply the one you’ll use consistently and correctly. Let’s consider the options.

Traditional Floss: Waxed vs. Unwaxed

Waxed dental floss comes with a smooth coating that helps it glide between teeth more easily. It’s brilliant for tight spaces and if you have sensitive gums that need a gentler approach.

Unwaxed dental floss is thinner and gives you a better grip on plaque, but it requires a bit more finesse to use effectively. Some people swear by the superior cleaning power, while others find it too tricky to handle.

There’s also dental tape – floss’s broader, flatter cousin. It’s ideal if you have wider gaps between your teeth or particularly sensitive gums that appreciate the gentler pressure.

Floss Picks and Interdental Brushes

Floss picks are the convenience kings of the flossing world. They’re perfect for on-the-go cleaning or if you have dexterity issues that make traditional flossing challenging. The downside? It’s trickier to create that crucial C-shape we talked about earlier.

Interdental brushes look like tiny bottle brushes and are absolute game-changers for larger gaps or areas around dental work. Research by V. Christou and colleagues, published in the Journal of Periodontology, found that interdental brushes removed significantly more plaque than traditional floss in patients with moderate to severe gum problems. Plus, patients actually preferred using them, which is always a bonus when you’re trying to build a habit.

To use interdental brushes effectively, choose the largest size that fits comfortably between your teeth without forcing it. Gently insert and remove several times, and don’t forget to rinse the brush between uses.

Water Flossers

These clever devices deliver a pulsating stream of water to flush out plaque and food debris. They’re particularly brilliant for people with sensitive gums and absolutely essential for anyone navigating cleaning teeth with braces. The gentle water pressure feels like a mini spa treatment for your gums.

Just remember that while water flossers are fantastic, they might not provide the same thorough mechanical cleaning as traditional floss. Think of them as an excellent complement to, rather than a complete replacement for, regular flossing.

Flossing with Braces: Special Considerations

If you’re wearing braces, flossing becomes even more crucial because those brackets and wires create additional nooks and crannies where bacteria love to set up camp.

Here’s how to floss properly with braces:

• Stick with waxed floss – it’s less likely to snag or tear on your brackets and wires.
• Use floss threaders or specially designed orthodontic flossers to guide the floss under your archwires.
• Try super floss – these clever tools have a stiffened end for easy threading, spongy floss for cleaning around appliances and regular floss for getting under the gumline.
• Consider flossettes – these pre-made, single-use tools can be real time-savers.

When you brush your teeth with braces, angle your toothbrush at 45 degrees, cleaning both above and below the brackets with small circular motions. Water flossers are particularly effective for people with braces, as they clean around brackets and wires without the risk of bleeding gums that sometimes comes with traditional floss.

Yes, flossing with braces takes more time and patience, but it’s absolutely vital for keeping your teeth and gums healthy while you straighten your teeth. Think of it as protecting your investment in that future perfect smile.

Common Flossing Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to develop bad flossing habits. Here are the most common mistakes we see:

1. The aggressive snap – Forcing floss down into your gums like you’re trying to cut cheese will only cause pain and damage. Use that gentle sawing motion instead.
2. Surface-level cleaning – If you’re only cleaning where teeth touch and ignoring the area below the gumline, you’re missing the most important part. Remember that C-shape technique.
3. The one-section wonder – Using the same bit of floss for your entire mouth just spreads bacteria around. Always use a fresh section for each tooth.
4. The speed demon – Rushing through flossing defeats the purpose entirely. It should take one or two minutes to do properly.
5. The minimalist approach – Using too little floss makes it nearly impossible to clean effectively and control the floss properly.

If you’re unsure about your technique, don’t hesitate to ask a dental professional for guidance. We’d much rather show you the right way than see you struggle with problems later.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of flossing truly is one of the best investments you can make for healthy teeth and gums. It prevents cavities, fights gum disease and keeps your breath fresh – all for just a couple of minutes each day.

Ready to perfect your technique or need personalised advice about the best flossing approach for your situation? Get in touch with us at Hampstead Orthodontic Practice. Our team of experienced orthodontists and dental professionals would love to help you achieve optimal oral health. After all, your smile deserves nothing less than the best care possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Normal for My Gums to Bleed When I Start?

A little bleeding when you first start a daily flossing routine is completely normal. It’s usually just a sign that your gums are inflamed from plaque buildup. The bleeding should subside within a week or two of consistent, gentle flossing. This is actually the best flossing technique for bleeding gums – gentle persistence. If bleeding persists beyond two weeks, it’s worth having a chat with your dentist or orthodontist to rule out any underlying issues.

When Is the Best Time to Floss?

The most important thing about timing is consistency, so pick a time when you’ll actually floss at least once a day, every day. That said, many dental professionals recommend flossing just before you brush your teeth. This approach clears away food and plaque first, allowing the fluoride in your toothpaste to reach more tooth surfaces.

Many people find that flossing at bedtime works best, as it removes the day’s accumulation of plaque and food particles, helping you wake up with fresher breath and healthier teeth.

What if I Have Sensitive Gums?

If you have sensitive gums, gentleness is your best friend. Avoid any aggressive snapping motions and focus on that C-shape technique to prevent excessive pressure on tender tissue.

Consider switching to waxed floss or smooth dental tape for extra comfort. Regular gentle brushing of your gums can also help reduce sensitivity over time. Remember, make flossing a habit, as that initial discomfort usually disappears as your gums become healthier and stronger.

How long should I spend flossing my teeth each day? 

Proper flossing should take 1-2 minutes to complete effectively. Rushing through the process defeats the purpose entirely, as you need adequate time to use the correct C-shape technique around each tooth and ensure you’re cleaning below the gumline where plaque accumulates.

Can I use the same piece of floss for my entire mouth? 

No, you should use a fresh section of floss for each tooth. Using the same bit of floss throughout your entire mouth just spreads bacteria around rather than removing it. It’s like cleaning your kitchen with a dirty cloth. This is why you need about 45-50 centimetres of floss to start with.