How to floss your teeth: step-by-step technique, bleeding and common mistakes
Floss cleans plaque from between the teeth where a toothbrush can't reach, and daily use is recommended. With the right technique, the floss is eased between the teeth with a gentle sawing motion, wrapped around the tooth in a C shape and wiped upwards from just below the gum line. A little bleeding is common at first and usually eases within a week or two of regular flossing. This article covers the technique step by step, common mistakes and alternatives to floss.
How to floss, step by step
- Cut about 40–45 cm of floss and wind the ends around the middle fingers of both hands.
- Hold the floss between your thumbs and index fingers, leaving 2–3 cm between them.
- Ease the floss between the teeth with small back-and-forth sawing movements; don't snap it onto the gum.
- Wrap the floss around one tooth in a C shape, slide it gently just below the gum line and wipe up the side of the tooth a few times.
- Do the same for the neighbouring tooth in the same gap.
- Use a clean section of floss for each gap, and don't forget the back surfaces of the last teeth.
Should you floss before or after brushing?
What matters most is flossing every day. That said, flossing before brushing clears plaque from the gaps and may help the fluoride from your toothpaste reach between the teeth. The most convenient time is usually your evening clean before bed. For brushing technique, see how to brush your teeth properly.
Is it normal for gums to bleed when flossing?
A little bleeding is common when you start flossing and is usually a sign of existing gum inflammation. If you keep flossing gently rather than stopping, bleeding usually decreases within 1–2 weeks. Bleeding that lasts more than two weeks, is heavy or happens on its own suggests gum disease and needs an examination. See bleeding and receding gums.
Common mistakes
- Snapping the floss down between the teeth; it cuts and bleeds the gum.
- Just passing it through the gap and pulling it out; it needs to be wrapped around and wiped along the tooth.
- Using the same section of floss for every gap.
- Only cleaning the front teeth; decay and gum problems are most common at the back.
- Pulling the floss upwards around a temporary tooth or crown; in that case slide it out sideways.
- Giving up because of some bleeding.
What can you use instead of floss?
| Tool | Who is it for? |
|---|---|
| Waxed floss or tape | People with tight contacts between teeth; it slides more easily |
| Floss picks | People with limited dexterity, children, anyone wanting convenience |
| Interdental brushes | Wider gaps, receding gums, around bridges and implants |
| Floss threaders or super floss | Under bridges and with fixed braces |
| Water flosser | Extra cleaning with braces, bridges and implants; it doesn't fully replace floss |
For choosing an electric toothbrush or water flosser, see electric toothbrushes and water flossers; if food often gets stuck between your teeth, see food stuck between teeth. Tips for people with braces are in living with braces.
When should children start flossing?
You can start cleaning between a child's teeth once two teeth touch each other. For young children, an adult should do it; floss picks are a practical start. Decay starting between the teeth is hard to see, so regular check-ups matter. See decay between teeth.
Gum and mouth care in Beylikdüzü
At Dent32, after a scale and polish, we try out the right floss or interdental brush size for your gaps together in front of a mirror. For more on cleaning, see scale and polish.
Dent32 is at Barış Mah., Ginza Lavinya, E-5 Yanyolu No:30 D:179, 34520 Beylikdüzü, Istanbul and is open seven days a week. To book, call or WhatsApp +90 555 011 33 68, or use our contact page. At the examination we share the findings, the options and the approximate cost in writing; you are under no obligation to start treatment afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I floss?
Once a day, ideally in the evening before bed, is enough. What matters is flossing every day with the right technique.
Should I floss before brushing?
Either order is acceptable, but flossing before brushing may help fluoride reach between the teeth.
Why do my gums bleed when I floss?
Bleeding is usually a sign of existing gum inflammation. With gentle, continued flossing it usually eases within 1–2 weeks; if it lasts more than two weeks, get it checked.
Does flossing create gaps between teeth?
Flossing with the right technique doesn't create gaps. A feeling of more space can come from swelling going down as inflammation settles, or from existing gum recession.
Can a water flosser replace floss?
A water flosser is useful extra cleaning, especially with braces, bridges and implants, but it doesn't fully replace floss for wiping away plaque stuck to the tooth surface.
