Here’s a fact that might surprise you: brushing your teeth—no matter how well you do it—only cleans about 60% of your tooth surfaces. The tight spaces between your teeth and just below the gumline are virtually impossible to reach with a toothbrush alone. That’s where flossing comes in, and it’s why the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing at least once a day alongside brushing twice daily.
Yet despite its importance, flossing is one of the most commonly skipped steps in daily oral hygiene. At Canyon Dental Associates in Corona, CA, Dr. Shikha Banerjee and our team can almost always tell when a patient isn’t flossing regularly—the signs show up as plaque buildup, inflamed gums, or early-stage gum disease in the spaces between teeth.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about flossing: the proper technique, the best type of floss for your needs, when to floss, and what happens when you don’t. Whether you’re a lifelong flosser looking to improve your technique or someone who’s been skipping this step for years, this guide is for you.
Why Is Flossing So Important?
Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth and below the gumline—two areas where cavities and gum disease most commonly begin. When plaque is left undisturbed in these spaces, it hardens into tartar (calculus) within 24 to 48 hours. Once tartar forms, it can only be removed by a dental professional during a professional cleaning.
The consequences of skipping flossing go beyond cavities. A review of 12 clinical studies found that people who brushed and flossed regularly had less gum bleeding and lower levels of gingivitis (the earliest stage of gum disease) compared to those who only brushed. About half of all American adults have some form of gum disease, and the buildup of interdental plaque—the plaque between your teeth—is one of the primary drivers.
Research has also linked gum disease to broader health conditions including heart disease, diabetes complications, respiratory issues, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. While the exact mechanisms are still being studied, dental professionals agree that reducing the bacterial load in your mouth through thorough daily cleaning—including flossing—supports both your oral health and your overall wellness.
Should You Floss Before or After Brushing?
This is one of the most debated questions in dental hygiene, and the honest answer is: it doesn’t matter as much as simply doing it. The ADA says either order is acceptable as long as you do a thorough job with both.
That said, there are reasonable arguments for each approach:
Floss first, then brush. Many dental professionals prefer this sequence because flossing loosens plaque and food debris from between your teeth, and brushing afterward sweeps it away. This also allows the fluoride in your toothpaste to reach the newly cleaned interproximal surfaces.
Brush first, then floss. Some dentists argue that brushing first removes the bulk of surface plaque, so you’re not pushing additional bacteria into the gum tissue when you floss.
At Canyon Dental Associates, our recommendation is straightforward: floss at whatever point in your routine you’ll actually do it consistently. If you tend to skip flossing because you’re tired at night after brushing, try flossing first. If you prefer to brush and then do a final cleaning pass with floss, that works too. The best routine is the one you stick with.
How to Floss Properly: Step-by-Step
Proper flossing technique makes a significant difference in how effectively you remove plaque. Many patients are surprised to learn they’ve been flossing incorrectly for years. Here’s the method recommended by the ADA and the team at Canyon Dental Associates:
Step 1: Use enough floss. Pull out about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around the middle fingers of each hand, leaving about 1–2 inches of floss to work with between your thumbs and index fingers.
Step 2: Guide gently between teeth. Using a gentle sawing motion, slide the floss between your teeth. Never snap the floss down into your gums—this can bruise or damage the delicate gum tissue.
Step 3: Curve into a C-shape. Once the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
Step 4: Clean with vertical strokes. Move the floss up and down against the side of the tooth, going slightly below the gumline. Use gentle pressure—you should feel the floss hugging the tooth, not cutting into the gum.
Step 5: Repeat on the adjacent tooth. Before moving to the next space, curve the floss against the neighboring tooth and repeat the up-and-down motion.
Step 6: Use a fresh section for each gap. As you move through your mouth, unwind fresh floss from one finger and wind the used portion onto the other. Using the same section of floss between multiple teeth can redeposit bacteria.
Step 7: Follow a consistent pattern. Work through your mouth systematically—for example, upper left to upper right, then lower left to lower right. This helps ensure you don’t miss any teeth.
The entire process should take about two minutes. If flossing feels awkward at first, that’s completely normal—it gets easier with practice, and your dentist or hygienist can demonstrate the technique at your next visit.
Is It Too Late to Start Flossing?
Absolutely not. It’s never too late to start flossing, regardless of your age or how long you’ve gone without it. Your gums and teeth will benefit from better cleaning at any stage.
If you haven’t flossed in a while, expect your gums to bleed during the first week or two. This is a sign of existing gum inflammation (gingivitis), not a sign that you’re doing something wrong. As you continue flossing daily, the bleeding should diminish significantly within one to two weeks as the inflammation subsides.
If bleeding persists beyond two weeks of consistent daily flossing, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Persistent bleeding can indicate more advanced gum disease that may require professional treatment.
The key is to start gently and stay consistent. Even one day of flossing is better than none, and building a daily habit over time will produce noticeable improvements in your gum health.
What Happens If You Never Floss?
Skipping flossing allows plaque to accumulate undisturbed in the spaces between your teeth—the very areas most vulnerable to decay and disease. Here’s what can happen over time:
Within days to weeks: Plaque builds up between teeth and along the gumline. Bacteria multiply, producing acids that attack enamel and toxins that irritate gum tissue. Gingivitis (red, swollen, bleeding gums) can develop in as little as 24 hours of plaque accumulation in susceptible individuals.
Within months: Plaque hardens into tartar, which traps even more bacteria and cannot be removed at home. Cavities begin forming between teeth—areas your dentist calls interproximal cavities—which are often only detectable on X-rays.
Within years: Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a serious form of gum disease where the gums pull away from the teeth, bone is destroyed, and teeth can loosen or fall out. Advanced periodontitis is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
Your dentist can almost always identify patients who don’t floss. The telltale signs—tartar between teeth, inflamed gums, interproximal cavities, and bleeding during cleanings—are unmistakable. Regular flossing prevents all of these issues.
Types of Floss: Which One Is Right for You?
Not all floss is created equal, and the best type for you depends on your teeth, dental work, and personal preference. Here’s a breakdown of your options:
Waxed floss has a thin coating that helps it slide more easily between tight contacts. It’s a great all-purpose choice and the most popular option for patients with closely spaced teeth.
Unwaxed floss is thinner and fits well between very tight teeth. However, it’s more prone to fraying or shredding during use.
Dental tape is wider and flatter than standard floss. It works well for patients with larger gaps between their teeth and can feel more comfortable for beginners.
Floss picks are small, handheld tools with a short piece of floss stretched between two prongs. They’re convenient and travel-friendly, though they don’t allow you to curve the floss into a C-shape as effectively as traditional string floss.
Water flossers (oral irrigators) use a pressurized stream of water to flush debris and bacteria from between teeth and below the gumline. They’re an excellent option for patients with braces, dental implants, bridges, or limited hand dexterity. While water flossers are effective, most dental professionals consider them a complement to traditional flossing rather than a complete replacement.
Interdental brushes are tiny, cone-shaped brushes designed to clean between teeth. They’re particularly useful for patients with wider gaps, gum recession, or orthodontic hardware.
The bottom line: the best floss is the one you’ll actually use. If traditional string floss feels impossible, try a water flosser or floss picks. The important thing is that you’re cleaning between your teeth daily.
Flossing With Braces, Implants, or Dental Work
Patients with braces, bridges, implants, or other dental work often find traditional flossing challenging—but interdental cleaning is even more important when you have hardware in your mouth that creates additional plaque-trapping surfaces.
With braces: Use a floss threader to guide the floss behind the archwire and between each tooth. Orthodontic floss (spongy floss with a stiff end) is designed specifically for this purpose. Alternatively, a water flosser can save considerable time and effort when cleaning around brackets and wires.
With implants and bridges: A floss threader or specialized bridge floss allows you to clean under the pontic (false tooth) and around implant abutments. Water flossers are also highly effective for cleaning around implant-supported restorations.
With wide gaps or gum recession: Interdental brushes may be more effective than floss in these areas, as they can clean a larger surface area between teeth.
At Canyon Dental Associates, we provide personalized flossing instruction based on your specific dental situation. If you’re struggling to clean around dental work, ask us at your next visit—we’ll recommend the right tools and demonstrate how to use them.
Flossing for Kids: When to Start and How to Help
The ADA recommends starting to floss your child’s teeth as soon as two teeth touch each other—which typically happens around age 2 to 3. At this stage, parents should do the flossing for their child.
Most children don’t develop the manual dexterity to floss effectively on their own until around age 10 to 12. Until then, parents should either floss for their child or supervise the process closely. Floss picks can make the process easier and less frustrating for both parents and kids.
Making flossing part of your child’s daily routine from an early age helps establish it as a normal, non-negotiable part of oral hygiene—just like brushing. Children who grow up flossing are far more likely to continue the habit into adulthood.
Common Flossing Mistakes to Avoid
Even dedicated flossers can make mistakes that reduce the effectiveness of their efforts or cause unnecessary discomfort:
Snapping floss into the gums. This is the most common mistake. Forcing floss through a tight contact and letting it snap against the gum tissue causes pain, bruising, and can damage the gum over time. Use a gentle sawing motion to ease the floss through.
Only moving floss back and forth. A horizontal sawing motion between teeth doesn’t clean the sides of each tooth. You need to curve the floss into a C-shape and use vertical strokes along each tooth surface.
Skipping the gumline. Many people stop when they reach the base of the tooth. The floss needs to slide gently just beneath the gumline, where bacteria hide and gum disease begins.
Reusing the same section of floss. As you move from tooth to tooth, advance to a clean section of floss. Reusing dirty floss simply moves bacteria from one space to another.
Flossing too aggressively. If your gums are sore after flossing, you’re likely using too much force. Flossing should feel thorough, not painful.
Giving up because of bleeding. Bleeding gums when you start flossing are a sign of inflammation, not injury. Continue flossing gently and consistently—the bleeding should stop within a week or two.
Schedule Your Next Cleaning at Canyon Dental Associates in Corona, CA
Flossing daily is one of the best things you can do for your oral health between dental visits—but it’s not a substitute for professional care. Regular cleanings remove the tartar buildup that no amount of brushing or flossing can eliminate, and your dentist can catch problems early before they require more invasive treatment.
At Canyon Dental Associates in Corona, CA, led by Dr. Shikha Banerjee with over 23 years of experience, we provide comprehensive preventive care for patients of all ages. Whether you need a routine cleaning, personalized flossing instruction, or treatment for gum disease, our team is here to help patients throughout Corona and surrounding communities including Norco, Riverside, Lake Elsinore, and Temescal Valley.
Call Canyon Dental Associates today at (951) 273-0555 to schedule your appointment, or visit us at 2097 Compton Ave #102, Corona, CA 92881. New patients are always welcome.
FAQ Section (For Schema Markup Implementation)
Q: Is it too late to start flossing? A: No—it’s never too late to start flossing. Your gums will benefit at any age. Expect some bleeding during the first one to two weeks as existing gum inflammation resolves. If bleeding persists beyond two weeks, see your dentist for an evaluation. Starting gently and flossing consistently every day is what matters most.
Q: Should you floss before or after brushing? A: Either order is acceptable according to the ADA. Some dentists recommend flossing first to loosen debris so brushing can sweep it away, while others prefer brushing first. The most important thing is that you floss thoroughly once a day—choose the order that fits your routine and helps you stay consistent.
Q: What happens if you never floss? A: Without flossing, plaque builds up between teeth and hardens into tartar, leading to cavities between teeth, gingivitis, and eventually periodontitis (advanced gum disease that can cause tooth loss). Your toothbrush cannot reach the spaces between teeth where approximately 40% of tooth surfaces are located. Regular flossing prevents these problems.
Q: How often should you floss? A: The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day. The best time to floss is whenever it fits your schedule—morning, midday, or before bed. Consistency matters more than timing. Never reuse a strand of floss, and always use a fresh section between each pair of teeth.
Q: Is a water flosser as good as regular floss? A: Water flossers are effective at removing food debris and reducing gum inflammation, and they’re an excellent option for patients with braces, implants, or limited dexterity. However, most dental professionals recommend using them as a complement to traditional floss rather than a complete replacement, as string floss is still considered the gold standard for disrupting interdental plaque.
