Brushing covers about 60% of your tooth surfaces. The other 40% sits between teeth, where toothbrush bristles cannot reach. That is where flossing, or interproximal cleaning more broadly, does its work.
Most people know they should floss. Fewer do it regularly, and among those who do, technique is often approximate. This guide covers how to do it properly, which tool suits your situation, and what to do if it hurts.
Why cleaning between teeth matters
Plaque builds up between teeth just as it does on exposed surfaces. Left undisturbed, it hardens into calculus (tartar) within 24 to 72 hours. Once calcified, it cannot be removed with floss or a toothbrush. It requires professional removal during a check-up and clean.
Plaque and calculus between teeth cause:
- Interproximal decay. Cavities that form on the side surfaces of teeth, between the contact points. These are the most common type of decay in adults and are often only visible on X-rays.
- Gum disease. Bacteria in plaque irritate the gum tissue, which can lead to gingivitis (reversible) and potentially periodontitis (involving bone loss, not fully reversible).
- Bad breath. Bacterial activity between teeth is a common contributor to persistent halitosis.
Daily interdental cleaning disrupts plaque before it calcifies. That is the goal.
String floss technique
If you are using traditional string floss, here is the correct method:
1. Use enough floss. Cut approximately 45 cm (about 18 inches). Wind most of it around the middle finger of one hand, and a small amount around the middle finger of the other hand. This leaves your index fingers and thumbs free to guide the floss.
2. Hold it taut. Grip a section of about 3 to 5 cm between your fingers. Slack floss is harder to control and more likely to snap into the gum.
3. Slide, do not snap. Guide the floss gently between the teeth using a back-and-forth sawing motion to pass through the contact point. Snapping it down forcefully can injure the gum.
4. Hug the tooth. Once the floss is between the teeth, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it gently up and down along the side of that tooth, going slightly under the gum line. Then curve it against the adjacent tooth and repeat.
5. Use a clean section for each gap. Unwind a fresh segment of floss as you move from tooth to tooth. Reusing the same section transfers bacteria between sites.
6. Do not forget the back of the last teeth. The distal (back) surfaces of your rearmost molars still accumulate plaque.
The whole process takes two to three minutes once you have the technique down.
Interdental brushes
Interdental brushes (also called interproximal brushes or "piksters") are small bristled brushes designed to fit between teeth. Research suggests they may be as effective as or more effective than string floss for removing interproximal plaque, particularly in people with gaps between teeth or gum recession.
How to use them:
- Choose the right size. Interdental brushes come in multiple sizes, from very fine (for tight contacts) to larger (for wider gaps). Your dentist or hygienist can recommend the correct sizes for different areas of your mouth.
- Insert the brush gently between the teeth at gum level.
- Move it back and forth two or three times.
- Do not force it. If it does not fit, use a smaller size or revert to floss for that gap.
Interdental brushes are particularly useful for:
- Patients with gum recession where gaps have opened between teeth
- Patients with braces or orthodontic wires
- Patients who find string floss difficult to manage
- Cleaning around dental bridges and implants
Your dentist at Ivy Dental can demonstrate the correct sizes and technique during your next check-up.
Water flossers
Water flossers (such as Waterpik) use a pressurised stream of water to flush debris and bacteria from between teeth and along the gum line. They are not a direct replacement for string floss in all situations, but they are effective and may be a better option for certain patients.
Strengths:
- Easier for people with limited hand dexterity (arthritis, injuries)
- Effective around braces, bridges, and implant-supported restorations
- Gentler on inflamed or sensitive gums
- Some patients prefer them and are therefore more consistent
Limitations:
- May not disrupt tightly adherent plaque as effectively as the physical contact of floss or a brush in very tight contact points
- Requires access to power and water (less portable, though cordless models exist)
- Higher upfront cost than floss or interdental brushes
The right interdental cleaning tool is the one you will use every day. If a water flosser gets you cleaning between your teeth consistently, it is a good choice.
Common mistakes
Flossing too aggressively. Forcing floss down hard into the gum causes trauma and does not improve cleaning. Gentle, controlled movements are more effective.
Only flossing when food is stuck. Interproximal cleaning is about plaque removal, not just food removal. Plaque is a biofilm that builds up regardless of whether you ate steak or soup.
Skipping the back teeth. The molars are the hardest to reach and the most prone to interproximal decay. They need the most attention, not the least.
Using the same section of floss for every gap. This moves bacteria around your mouth rather than removing it.
Giving up because of bleeding. Bleeding gums when you start flossing are common if you have not been cleaning between your teeth regularly. The bleeding is caused by gum inflammation in response to plaque. With consistent daily flossing, bleeding typically resolves within one to two weeks. If it does not, see your dentist.
When flossing hurts
Mild discomfort when you first start flossing is normal, particularly if your gums are inflamed. This should settle within a week or two of daily cleaning.
See your dentist if:
- Bleeding persists beyond two weeks of consistent flossing
- You have pain in a specific area that does not resolve
- Floss catches or shreds on a particular tooth (this may indicate a rough filling edge, decay, or a broken restoration)
- You notice a persistent bad taste or odour from a specific area
These symptoms may indicate a problem that needs professional assessment. At Ivy Dental, our team can check the area and recommend treatment if needed. We also spend time during hygiene appointments demonstrating technique and helping you find the right tools for your teeth.
Building the habit
Flossing once a day is enough. The most practical approach:
- Pair it with an existing habit. Floss immediately before brushing at night. Linking it to something you already do makes it easier to remember.
- Keep floss visible. A spool on the bathroom counter, next to your toothbrush, is more effective than one buried in a drawer.
- Start with the tool that suits you. If string floss feels awkward, try interdental brushes or a water flosser. Technique and consistency matter more than which tool you choose. Your dentist can advise during your next dental check-up.
- Accept imperfect days. Missing a day occasionally is not a failure. Missing a month is when problems develop.
The short version
Clean between your teeth once a day. Use string floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser. Gentle technique, fresh sections, and consistency matter more than which brand or tool you pick. If your gums bleed, keep going gently for two weeks. If they still bleed, book an appointment.
Ivy Dental is open seven days in Everton Park and Nundah, north Brisbane. Our hygienists can demonstrate a suitable technique for your teeth at your next visit. Book online or call (07) 3266 7120.
