Around three quarters of Australians rarely or never floss, yet cleaning between the teeth is where a toothbrush cannot reach. Brushing alone leaves about a third of each tooth surface untouched, and that is exactly where gum disease and decay tend to start. Learning to floss properly takes a few minutes to master and protects the areas your brush misses.
Key takeaways
- The Australian Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth at least once a day.
- Flossing removes plaque from between the teeth and just under the gumline, where a brush cannot reach.
- The most common mistake is snapping the floss straight down, which can cut the gum.
- Hug the floss into a C shape against each tooth and move it gently up and down.
- Interdental brushes are often easier and more effective for larger gaps.
Why flossing matters
Plaque is a soft film of bacteria that builds up constantly. Left between the teeth it hardens into tartar within a day or two, and that is when bleeding gums and early gum disease begin. Gum disease affects nearly a quarter of Australian adults at a moderate or severe level, and the spaces between teeth are where it usually takes hold. If your gums bleed when you clean them, our guide to bleeding gums when brushing explains what that means.
How to floss step by step
Step 1: Use enough floss
Break off about 45 centimetres, roughly the length from your hand to your elbow. Wind most of it around the middle finger of one hand and a small amount around the other, leaving a few centimetres to work with.
Step 2: Guide it gently between the teeth
Hold the floss tightly between thumbs and forefingers. Slide it between two teeth with a gentle back and forth motion. Do not snap it down, as that can injure the gum.
Step 3: Make a C shape
Curve the floss around one tooth into a C shape so it hugs the surface. Slide it gently below the gumline until you feel light resistance.
Step 4: Move up and down
Move the floss up and down against the side of the tooth several times to lift the plaque away. Then curve it around the neighbouring tooth and repeat.
Step 5: Use a fresh section
Unwind a clean section of floss as you move to the next gap so you are not moving bacteria from one space to the next. Work methodically around the whole mouth, including behind the back teeth.
Floss or interdental brush?
Floss is not the only way to clean between teeth, and for many people it is not the best one. Interdental brushes, which look like tiny bottle brushes, are easier to handle and can clean larger gaps and spaces around bridges or implants more thoroughly. The table below compares the options.
| Tool | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional floss | Tight contacts between healthy teeth | Cheap and widely available, takes practice |
| Floss picks | Convenience and back teeth | Easier to hold, harder to make a C shape |
| Interdental brushes | Larger gaps, braces, bridges, implants | Often more effective when the gap fits the brush |
| Water flosser | Braces and dexterity issues | Useful aid, best alongside brushing |
How often and when
Once a day is the target. Many people prefer to floss at night so the teeth are clean before the long stretch of sleep, when saliva flow drops and bacteria are more active. The order does not matter as much as doing it consistently. If you only manage it some days, doing it more often is still better than stopping.
If you are not sure your technique is working, a professional clean is a good reset. Our guide to the cost of a dental cleaning explains what to expect, and a hygiene visit is a chance to have your method checked in person. Good home care also supports treatment if you already have gum disease.
Frequently asked questions
Should I floss before or after brushing?
Either works. Some evidence suggests flossing first then brushing helps fluoride reach between the teeth, but consistency matters more than order.
My gums bleed when I floss. Should I stop?
No. Bleeding usually means the gums are inflamed from plaque. With gentle daily flossing the bleeding typically settles within a week or two. If it does not, have it checked.
Is a water flosser as good as floss?
A water flosser is a helpful aid, especially with braces, but it does not fully replace the scraping action of floss or an interdental brush against the tooth surface.
Can I floss too hard?
Yes. Sawing aggressively or snapping the floss can damage the gum. Use a gentle up and down motion against each tooth instead.
Do children need to floss?
Once two teeth touch, plaque can build between them, so flossing should begin then with a parent helping until the child has the dexterity to manage alone.
The takeaway
Flossing is the daily habit most Australians skip, and it is the one that protects the spaces decay and gum disease love. Pick the tool that suits your mouth, be gentle, and do it once a day. To have your technique checked or book a hygiene visit, see our current deals page or contact the team at Lumi Dental.
