To floss your teeth
Floss by guiding the thread gently between teeth, curving it around each tooth, and cleaning below the gum edge.
The short answer
To floss, guide a short length of dental floss between two teeth, curve it into a C shape against each tooth, and move it gently up and down below the gumline. Use a clean section for each contact so plaque and food are not redistributed.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Floss cleans the interproximal surfaces that a toothbrush cannot reach well, including the narrow space between adjacent teeth and the margin where tooth meets gum. It may be waxed, unwaxed, tape-style, or attached to a holder; the best type is the one that fits and can be used correctly.
What can you do next?
Break off enough floss to hold securely, then ease it through the contact without snapping it into the gum. Hug one tooth, clean its side with several gentle strokes, repeat against the neighboring tooth, and use an interdental brush or water flosser when spaces or orthodontic hardware make string floss impractical.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange a dental assessment when bleeding continues despite gentle daily cleaning, or when floss catches, shreds, or cannot pass a contact. Swelling, pus, persistent bad breath, loose teeth, or pain can indicate gum disease, decay, or a filling problem.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask which interdental tool fits each space and whether your technique is traumatizing the gum. Ask the clinician to check contacts, fillings, gum pockets, and areas where plaque collects despite brushing.
Frequently asked questions
Is bleeding normal when I start flossing?
Tender, inflamed gums can bleed when cleaning begins, but continuing gentle technique and arranging an examination if it persists helps identify the cause.
Should I floss before or after brushing?
Either order can work; consistent thorough cleaning matters more than choosing one fixed sequence.