Brushing cleans the surfaces you can see. The spaces between teeth, where neighboring teeth touch and food and plaque collect, need a different tool. This guide explains why cleaning between teeth matters, compares the main tools, walks through the American Dental Association’s (ADA) step-by-step flossing method, and answers common questions about timing, discomfort and kids.
Why cleaning between teeth matters
The ADA notes that even the best toothbrush cannot fully clean the spaces between teeth. That is why it recommends flossing once a day to remove food particles and plaque, the sticky film on teeth that can lead to cavities and gum disease.
Plaque contains bacteria that feed on leftover food, especially sugary foods. As they do, they produce acids that can harm tooth enamel and set the stage for decay. Plaque that is not removed can harden into tartar (calculus), which builds up along the gum line and can lead to gum disease. Once tartar forms, the ADA says, only a dental professional can remove it. Daily flossing helps prevent the plaque buildup that turns into tartar.
For more on what gum disease looks like, see our guide to signs of gum disease.
What not to use
The ADA reports that many people use improvised tools to get food out from between teeth, including fingernails, folded paper or cardboard, utensils, safety pins and even strands of hair. These are not good tools for the job and can be harmful. Products made for cleaning between teeth are safer and work better.
Choosing a tool
The ADA describes several options and suggests talking with your dentist and trying a few to see which you like best.
| Tool | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| String floss | A smooth strand of nylon or Teflon made to slide between teeth | Many people; works well for most tight contacts |
| Dental picks | Small picks designed for between teeth | Reaching out-of-the-way spots |
| Tiny (interdental) brushes | Small brushes that fit between teeth | Reaching out-of-the-way spots and wider gaps |
| Pre-threaded flossers | Floss on a handle, sometimes with a pick or brush on the other end | People who find wrapping floss hard |
| Water flosser | Uses a gentle stream of water to rinse away food and plaque | People who find other tools hard to use; braces, bridges and other dental work |
The ADA notes that flossing products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance have been shown to be safe and effective, so look for the Seal when you buy.
If you have braces, bridges or implants
The ADA says people with braces, bridges and other dental work may find that a water flosser helps them reach every nook and cranny. Your dentist or orthodontist can show you how to clean around your specific appliances.
How to floss: the ADA’s five steps
- Measure. Break off about 18 inches of floss. Wind most of it around one middle finger and the rest around the same finger on the other hand. That second finger takes up used floss as you go.
- Grip. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
- Guide. Ease the floss between your teeth with a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap it into the gums.
- Curve. At the gum line, curve the floss into a C shape against one tooth and gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
- Clean. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth, slightly away from the gum, and gently rub the side of the tooth with up-and-down motions that follow its shape. Repeat on every tooth, top and bottom, including the back side of the last teeth.
Common mistakes
- Snapping floss down onto the gums
- Sliding floss in and straight out without hugging each tooth in a C shape
- Skipping the back sides of the last molars
- Reusing the same section of floss for every gap
Pressure and discomfort
The ADA says cleaning between teeth should not cause pain. Flossing too hard can damage the tissue between teeth, while being too gentle may leave food or plaque behind. You may feel some discomfort at first, and with practice you will learn how much pressure is right. If it still hurts, talk with your dentist.
Bleeding or tenderness that does not settle is worth mentioning at your next visit. It can be a sign your gums need attention, and in some cases a dentist may recommend a deep cleaning.
When to floss
According to the ADA, it does not matter whether you floss before or after brushing, as long as you do it thoroughly. The most important thing is to make it a daily habit. If you are too tired at night, try the morning or after lunch.
Building the habit
- Keep floss or picks where you will see them, such as next to your toothbrush.
- Pair flossing with something you already do every day.
- Try a different tool if you keep skipping string floss. The best tool is the one you will use.
If flossing is physically hard
Arthritis, limited hand strength, large hands or a strong gag reflex can make wrapping string floss frustrating. The ADA’s list of tools offers alternatives. Pre-threaded flossers on a handle avoid wrapping floss around your fingers. Small interdental brushes and picks are easier to steer to back teeth. A water flosser can help when other tools are hard to work with. A caregiver can also floss for someone who cannot do it alone, using the same gentle C-shaped motion.
Kids and flossing
The ADA says flossing should become part of a child’s routine as soon as they have two teeth that touch. At first, adults have to do it. Kids usually take over around age 10 or 11, when their hands can manage floss or other tools. Our baby teeth timeline explains when teeth usually come in.
Where flossing fits in your routine
Cleaning between teeth works alongside brushing, not instead of it. The ADA recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing once a day. Some people also add a mouthwash. The ADA says mouthwash is not a replacement for brushing and flossing but may be a helpful addition for some people. For help choosing a toothbrush, see our comparison of electric vs manual toothbrushes.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I floss?
The ADA recommends cleaning between your teeth once a day.
Is a water flosser as good as string floss?
The ADA lists water flossers among safe and effective tools and notes they can be useful if other tools are hard to use, or if you have braces or bridges. Ask your dentist which tool suits your mouth, and look for the ADA Seal.
Should I floss before or after brushing?
The ADA says either is fine as long as you floss thoroughly every day.
My gums bleed when I floss. Should I stop?
Do not give up on cleaning between your teeth. Use gentle pressure and the C-shaped technique, and talk to your dentist if bleeding or pain continues.
When can my child floss on their own?
According to the ADA, kids usually take over around age 10 or 11. Before then, an adult should floss for them once any two teeth touch.
Sources
By the Dentist Review Editorial Team.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed dentist about your own situation. See our disclaimer.
Featured image: “Silk dental floss” by Mx. Granger, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC0. Resized and compressed for the web.
Our guides are written and reviewed by the Dentist Review editorial team. We research each topic using public, authoritative sources such as the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIDCR), the American Dental Association (ADA) and CMS, and we update guides when guidance changes. Guides are for general information only and are not dental or medical advice; please read our disclaimer and learn more about us.