How to Floss Your Teeth: 5 Tips for Better Technique

Dental flossing is something that many people do begrudgingly and 20% of Americans don't do it at all.¹ We know that it's important because the dentist always asks about it, but how did flossing come to be?

The idea can be credited to Mr. Levi Spear Parmly of New Orleans. In 1819, he published a book titled “A Practical Guide to the Management of the Teeth." In it, he described what Parmly deemed to be the best way to clean the teeth. He included a toothbrush, toothpaste and “waxed silken thread" that Parmly called the most simple but the most important component.²

What Is Flossing and Why Is It Important?

In short, flossing cleans and dislodges food from between your teeth that your toothbrush might miss. It helps reduce plaque and bacteria in your mouth, which is important for preventing cavities and gum disease.¹

Plaque is a colorless film that develops on your teeth along the gum line as a result of the bacteria in your mouth trying to break down carbohydrates, like those found in starchy or sugary foods and drinks. The bacteria in plaque can release acids that break down your tooth enamel and, in time, cause cavities if the acid isn't removed with brushing and flossing. Plaque can also harden into tartar, which increases your risk for gum disease.³

Flossing also reduces halitosis, commonly known as bad breath. Halitosis results from food trapped between your teeth that starts to decay. If you don't remove the food particles, the decay causes bad breath.³

Finally, flossing may help improve heart health. Some studies have shown that those with better oral hygiene had a reduced risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure.³

How Often Should You Floss?

The good news is that flossing isn't a major time investment. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day to help reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease. It's suggested to floss before you brush to loosen the food particles.³

If you often feel food stuck in between your teeth after meals, you may want to floss more than once. And don't worry — you can't floss too much unless you're doing it incorrectly. Applying too much pressure or flossing too vigorously can do more harm than good to your teeth and gums.

How to Floss Like a Pro

Follow the steps below with standard dental floss and you'll have cleaner teeth in no time!

1. First, break off 18 to 24 inches of floss. Wind most of the floss around your middle fingers, leaving 1 to 2 inches in between your fingers.
2. Use your thumbs and index fingers to hold the floss tight.
3. Place the floss between your teeth and gently glide it up and down, making sure you get both sides of each tooth. Be careful to not push the floss down into your gums.
4. When you do reach your gums, curve the floss to make a C shape and gently move the floss in the space between your gums and tooth.
5. Repeat the process with a new, clean section of floss each time as you move from tooth to tooth.⁴

Tips for Flossing with Braces

It's essential to be careful when flossing with braces so you don't pop a wire, which is why many people with braces have better luck with a water pick.

If you do decide to floss with string, you'll start with about 18 to 24 inches and then carefully thread the floss between your tooth and the main wire before pressing the floss gently between the two teeth.

Again, carefully unthread the floss from behind the wire and continue around your entire mouth.⁴

What Happens If I Don't Floss?

As previously mentioned, not taking care of your teeth can result in cavities or gum disease (also known as periodontal disease), which are not only bad for your health, but may involve a costly dental procedure.⁵

Periodontal disease is an infection of the structures around the teeth, not the teeth themselves, including the gums, alveolar bone and periodontal ligament. It often starts out as gingivitis in the gums and gets worse over time.⁵

Dentists typically start with nonsurgical treatments, usually a deep cleaning with scaling and root planning, plus antibiotics. The dental deep cleaning cost can range from around $140 to $300 and may or may not be covered by insurance.⁵

Surgical options include pocket reduction, which is cleaning out deep pockets of tartar, or even a bone or tissue graft if there has been a loss of either due to disease. Surgical pocket reduction usually costs between $1,000 and $3,000 without insurance and a bone or tissue graft can cost $600 to $1,200.⁵

Cavity fillings range from $150 to $450 per tooth, depending on the type of filling you get.

What Are the Different Types of Floss?

There are three different types of floss:

1. Standard floss: A thin, nylon strand that fits between your teeth. It typically comes on a roll or in a little case and can be flavored or unflavored and waxed or unwaxed.¹
2. Dental tape: Similar to standard floss but is broader and flat like a ribbon.¹
3. Super floss: A floss threader that is better for braces, bridges and gaps because it has three parts (a stiffer end for going under braces; a spongy section to carefully clean around the braces or bridge; and regular floss for the gum line).¹

Some people find it easier to use a water flosser, which uses water and pressure to clean between the teeth. This is also a helpful option for those with braces to clean between the wires and brackets. Another option is a disposable floss pick, which has the floss already strung on a small plastic handle, making it easier to maneuver.¹

CareCredit Financing for Dental Health

Regular dental checkups are important to help prevent, identify and treat dental problems before they become more advanced. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dental exams, cosmetic dental procedures and other costs that insurance doesn't cover — to help you keep your pearly whites bright and healthy.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist near you that accepts CareCredit. Make the most of your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Abbie Mood is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. She has worked with clients of all sizes to create compelling content and she has written for the American Kennel Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Women's Health Online, Headspace and more.