Why Flossing Matters?

Cleaning between your teeth once a day removes plaque your toothbrush cannot reach, making it one of the simplest ways to care for your gums. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends doing this daily for children and adults alike.

Flossing is the most well-known method for interdental cleaning, but it is not the only option. Dentists call this practice interdental cleaning, which you can do with floss, floss picks, interdental brushes, or water flossers.

What happens between your teeth

Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. A toothbrush cleans the front, back and chewing surfaces well, but its bristles struggle to reach where neighbouring teeth touch and the small triangle of gum between them.

When plaque sits in those spaces, three things can follow:

• Gingivitis. The gums react to the bacteria and become red, puffy and prone to bleeding. Gingivitis is common and is usually reversible with better daily cleaning and professional care.
• Periodontitis. If inflammation continues, it can spread to the tissues and bone that hold teeth in place. This damage is generally not reversible and can eventually loosen teeth.
• Decay between teeth. Cavities can start on the surfaces where teeth touch. These are often hard to see in the mirror and are usually found at a check-up, sometimes with an X-ray.

Leaving food and bacteria between teeth can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Cleaning those spaces daily disrupts plaque before it can cause problems.

What the research says

The strongest review to date suggests that cleaning between your teeth, alongside brushing, may reduce gum inflammation more than brushing alone. It also suggests the tool matters less than using it consistently.

A 2019 Cochrane systematic review pooled 35 randomised controlled trials of home interdental cleaning. Its main findings:

• Floss, interdental brushes, wooden cleaning sticks and water flossers, each used with a toothbrush, were all associated with less gingivitis than brushing alone.
• Interdental brushes may reduce gingivitis more than floss, and water flossers showed some advantage over floss.
• The certainty of this evidence was rated low to very low. Most trials were short and involved people with mild gum inflammation.
• There wasn’t enough evidence to say whether these tools prevent tooth decay or periodontitis over the long term.

That last point made headlines when some reports claimed flossing “doesn’t work”. That’s not what the review found. Long-term flossing trials are hard to run, so the lack of strong evidence doesn’t mean it has no benefit. Based on the overall evidence and clinical experience, dental professionals recommend cleaning between your teeth at least once a day.

How to floss properly

Good technique matters more than speed: the aim is to wipe plaque off the side of each tooth, not just push floss through the gap. Basic flossing guide:

1. Break off 30-45 cm of floss. Wind most of it around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the other.
2. Hold it taut. Grip a short section between your thumbs and index fingers to control the pressure.
3. Ease it between two teeth. Use a gentle see-saw motion. Don’t snap it down onto the gum.
4. Curve it around one tooth. Wrap the floss into a C-shape around the side of the tooth, then slide it gently up and down just under the gumline.
5. Repeat on the neighbouring tooth. Each gap has two surfaces to clean.
6. Move to a fresh section of floss for each gap, and don’t forget the back of the last tooth on each side.

If string floss is fiddly, a floss pick (flossette) holds a short length of floss on a handle. It helps children learning to floss, parents flossing their child’s teeth, and adults who find it hard to reach into their mouth.

Common teeth flossing questions

My gums bleed when I floss. Should I stop?

No. Bleeding usually means the gums are inflamed from plaque, which is more likely if you haven’t cleaned between your teeth regularly. Continuing gently, as healthy gums don’t bleed. If bleeding keeps happening after a couple of weeks of daily cleaning, book a check-up so your dentist can look for other causes.

How often should I floss?

At least once a day. If you have gum disease, your dentist may suggest flossing more often.

Should I floss before or after brushing?

Dentists recommend before. Flossing first loosens food and plaque so your brush can sweep it away, and it helps fluoride toothpaste reach between your teeth. That said, doing it daily matters more than the order.

When should children start?

As soon as two teeth touch. Children need an adult’s help until they have the dexterity to do it themselves; floss picks make this easier. It is also important for childrens oral health to visit their local dentist on a regular basis.

I have braces, a bridge or implants. What should I use?

Regular floss is hard to thread around brackets and wires. Interdental brushes, floss threaders or a water flosser are usually easier. Ask your dentist which option suits your situation, as bridges and implants may require specific techniques.

Can a water flosser replace flossing?

For many people, it can be a reasonable alternative. A Cochrane review found that water flossers reduced gingivitis compared with brushing alone. If you’re unsure whether it cleans your particular gaps well, ask at your next check-up.

When to Consult Your Dentist

Daily interdental cleaning is essential and should complement your regular dental check-ups, not replace them. It is important to schedule an appointment if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Gums that continue to bleed after two weeks of gentle daily cleaning
• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Gums that appear to be receding from your teeth
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Frequent food particles getting stuck in the same area
• Teeth that feel loose or have shifted in position
• Pain or sensitivity between your teeth

While these signs do not always indicate a serious issue, they warrant a dental evaluation. During your visit, your dentist can show you proper cleaning techniques and recommend the right tool sizes for your mouth.

If you need help establishing an interdental cleaning routine, the team at Ormeau Dental can guide you through options at your next check-up.

References

1. Australian Dental Association. Cleaning between your teeth (flossing). teeth.org.au. Accessed 28 October 2026.
2. Worthington HV, MacDonald L, Poklepovic Pericic T, et al. Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 4. CD012018.
3. Australian Dental Association. Media release: Latest brushing and flossing trends straight from the nation’s dentists. August 2023.
4. SA Dental. Cleaning between your teeth. Government of South Australia.

Important information

This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for advice from a registered dental practitioner about your individual circumstances. Speak with your dentist before changing your oral care routine if you have braces, implants, gum disease or other dental work.