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Oral health education

Flossing Fundamentals

Flossing cleans the tight spaces your toothbrush cannot reach. Just a minute a day helps prevent cavities and gum inflammation.

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Once a dayAbout 18 inches

The basics

Small string, big difference

  • Use enough floss

    About 18 inches gives you a clean section for each tooth.

  • Gentle C-shape

    Curve the floss around the tooth and slide up and down.

  • Daily habit

    Once per day is enough to remove plaque between teeth.

Technique

Step-by-Step Flossing

Go slowly the first few times. Once the motion feels familiar, the whole mouth takes about a minute.

  1. Step 1: Wrap and hold

    Wrap floss around your middle fingers, leaving 1-2 inches to work with.

  2. Step 2: Glide in gently

    Guide the floss between teeth using a gentle sawing motion.

  3. Step 3: Hug the tooth

    Curve the floss into a C shape against one tooth, then slide up and down to clean below the gumline.

  4. Step 4: Move along

    Repeat for the neighboring tooth, then move to a fresh section. Floss behind the last molars and around any dental work.

Find your tool

Flossing Options

The best floss is the one you’ll use every day.

  • String floss

    Waxed or unwaxed string floss.

  • Floss picks

    Floss picks for on-the-go convenience.

  • Water flossers

    Water flossers for braces or sensitive gums.

Related reading

How to Brush Properly

Master the brushing basics that keep enamel strong.

Nutrition for Healthy Teeth

See which foods help protect your smile.

Why Gums Bleed When You Floss

What is normal, what is not, and when to schedule a visit.

We can help

Need help with technique?

We can demonstrate flossing during your cleaning and recommend the best tools for your needs.
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Mon–Thu, 9 AM–5 PM, Los Gatos time · 15251 National Ave, Suite 102, Los Gatos