Do You Need to Floss Every Day?

The dentist asks, “Do you floss?” You say “Yes, mostly.” Both of you know what mostly means. The string has been in your bathroom drawer since the last checkup, next to a travel-size toothpaste and half a bottle of mouthwash.

What it prevents

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)² says gum disease stems from bacterial buildup, and that dental plaque, if not removed every day, can harden and form tartar. Smoking is the most significant risk factor, it says, and diabetes, genetics, stress and certain medicines also contribute.

Early signs, per the NIDCR², are gums that are red, swollen or tender and bleed easily. See bleeding gums. Advanced signs include loose teeth, sensitivity and bad breath, so cleaning between your teeth ties into breath that smells even after brushing and sensitive teeth.

The NIDCR² also says early gum disease, caused by plaque buildup, can often be reversed by daily brushing and flossing. For established disease, dentists perform scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning, and advanced cases may need surgery.

How often, and when

The ADA¹ says it doesn’t matter when you floss, as long as you do it thoroughly. The most important thing is to make it a daily habit. The NHS³ says to brush twice a day for about 2 minutes, with one of those before bed, using a toothpaste with at least 1,350 parts per million of fluoride for adults. It says not to rinse your mouth right after brushing, because that washes away concentrated fluoride, and to use mouthwash at a different time, such as after lunch. See mouthwash.

How to floss

The ADA’s¹ steps:

1. Use about 18 inches of floss, wrapping most of it around one middle finger.
2. Hold it tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
3. Guide it gently between your teeth without snapping it into the gums.
4. Curve it into a C-shape at the gum line.
5. Rub the sides of each tooth with up-and-down motions, including the back teeth.

If string floss isn’t for you

The ADA¹ lists dental picks, tiny brushes and water flossers, and says a water flosser, which uses a gentle stream of water to rinse away food and plaque, can be useful if you find other tools hard to work with. The NHS³ says interdental brushes can be used instead of flossing, especially if there are gaps between your teeth. On toothbrushes, the NHS says an electric or manual brush works equally well.

The ADA¹ says to talk with your dentist about which tool suits you best.

The play

Try this: a two-week habit

Pick a time you already do something every day, like after dinner or before bed, and attach the cleaning between your teeth to it.

Choose the tool you’ll use daily: string floss, a pick, a small interdental brush or a water flosser.

Do the same routine for two weeks. If cleaning between your teeth hurts, tell your dentist.

When to get checked

The ADA¹ says if cleaning between your teeth still hurts, talk with your dentist, who can assess technique or underlying issues. The NIDCR² lists regular dental visits for professional cleanings as part of prevention.

Book an appointment if any of these fit:

• Your gums are red, swollen, tender or bleed easily
• Cleaning between your teeth hurts
• You have bad breath that doesn’t improve
• Teeth feel loose, or are more sensitive
• You smoke, or have diabetes, and haven’t had a gum check
• You haven’t had regular professional cleanings

Floss isn’t a moral test. It’s a tool, and the one you’ll use is the one that works.