The importance of flossing: tips for flossing properly

Oral health is critical to overall well-being. While brushing is a crucial part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums, flossing is just as important. However, many people overlook the importance of flossing, leading to serious dental problems down the line.

For many people, flossing is not their favourite part of a daily dental hygiene routine. It can be tricky, sometimes painful, and it takes extra time in the bathroom, however, we’re here to let you know how important flossing is and why you need to stick with it to protect your overall oral health.

In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of flossing, the benefits it provides, and provide tips on how to floss properly.

What is flossing?

Flossing is the process of cleaning between teeth with specialised tools such as dental floss, interdental brushes, or water flossers, targeting food particles and plaque that brushing alone cannot remove. The purpose is to maintain oral health and prevent the progression of diseases that begin in these hard-to-reach areas.

See Dental Floss, Interdental Cleaning, and Oral Cleaning for background.

Any of these methods is an acceptable way to floss your teeth so choose the one that best suits you or speak to your dentist or hygienist who will be more than happy to provide you with further advice as to the best flossing method for you.

Why is flossing important?

Flossing is not just about fresh breath – regular interdental cleaning has demonstrable benefits:

Lowers systemic health risks: Flossing at least once a week is associated with a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke, 44% reduced risk of cardioembolic stroke (blood clots from the heart), and a 12% reduced risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to a major 2025 study with a 25-year follow-up.

Reduces risk of gum disease and tooth loss: Long-term studies show regular interdental cleaning significantly lowers the risk of tooth loss, especially in people with healthy gums or a history of periodontal disease.

What happens if I don’t floss my teeth?

Failing to clean between your teeth every day using a method of flossing can lead to a number of dental problems including:

• Tartar buildup: Plaque hardens to tartar, requiring professional removal and raising risk for gum disease.
• Gum disease progression: Failure to floss leads to inflamed, bleeding gums and eventually periodontitis, an irreversible condition linked to tooth loss.
• Higher risk for systemic problems: Oral inflammation from poor flossing is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke risk.

Whilst brushing can help with the prevention of some of these issues, it doesn’t remove all of the plaque on its own. That’s why flossing is such an important part of your daily oral hygiene routine.

Benefits of flossing

We have already talked about the importance of flossing and the potential risks of not flossing every day and here are some of the key benefits of flossing:

1. Helps to prevent gum disease: Flossing helps to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and along the gumline. This build-up can lead to gum disease, which can cause redness, swelling, and bleeding. If early-stage gum disease is not treated, this can lead to a more serious infection known as periodontitis which can cause your gums to recede or pull away from your teeth. As well as flossing every day, regular professional cleaning can help to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
2. Reduces the risk of cavities: Tooth decay can results in the formation of cavities – tiny holes or openings in the enamel of your teeth. If plaque and other debris are allowed to build up between your teeth, you run a much higher risk of developing cavities. Brushing your teeth twice a day along with regular flossing can prevent cavities and keep your teeth healthy.
3. Reduces bad breath: Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a common problem that can be tackled with regular flossing. One of the main causes of halitosis is the build-up of food debris between your teeth that slowly starts to decay. If this is not removed, it can lead to bad-smelling breath. Cavities and gum disease can also lead to bad breath so flossing is an essential way of keeping your breath smelling fresh.
4. Gets rid of plaque: we have already talked about the benefits of getting rid of plaque, however, it is one of the main benefits of flossing. Plaque is not something that is easy to see which is why it often goes unchecked. It is a colourless, sticky film that forms over and around your teeth and whilst brushing will help to remove the plaque build-up from the tooth surface, it’s important to remove the build-up of plaque from between your teeth. That’s where flossing comes in.
5. Improves overall health: Poor oral health can lead to other health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. According to a large 2019 study, participants who adhered to a high standard of oral hygiene had a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Flossing can improve your oral health and prevent these health problems from occurring.

Reviewing the Latest Evidence

Recent Studies and Contradictions

• 2025 Evidence: The most robust observational research continues to back daily or near-daily flossing for reduced risk of tooth loss and systemic events, particularly in healthy individuals.
• Technique vs. Efficacy: A 2025 clinical study showed that while proper technique improves, it may not always dramatically reduce plaque scores in the short term, which highlights the complexity of plaque biofilm and the importance of consistent, long-term interdental cleaning.
• Interdental Tools Debate: Interdental brushes show even greater benefits in periodontitis patients, while dental floss remains best for those with healthy gums or tight contacts.

Flossing and Broader Health

• Cardiovascular impact: Reductions in oral microbial load through flossing directly correlate with decreased risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Socioeconomic equity: Regular interdental cleaning methods, including floss and interdental brushes, may reduce disparities in oral health outcomes between socioeconomic groups.

Tips for flossing properly

If you are new to flossing or simply want a refresher on the best way to floss your teeth, here are some tips for proper flossing:

1. Use the right floss: There are many types of dental floss on the market, so it’s important to find one that works best for you. Some people prefer waxed floss, while others prefer unwaxed floss. There are also floss picks available, which can be easier to use for some people. If you don’t enjoy the feeling of floss between your teeth, you may want to try an air flosser or water flosser which rely on pressure to clean out the plaque and debris between your teeth.
2. Use enough floss: Use about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger on the other hand. This will give you enough floss to work with.
3. Slide the floss between your teeth: Gently slide the floss between your teeth, using a back-and-forth motion. Be careful not to snap the floss into your gums, as this can be painful.
4. Curve the floss: Curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making a C-shape. Slide the floss up and down along the sides of each tooth.
5. Use a clean section of floss: As you move from tooth to tooth, use a clean section of floss. This will ensure that you are not transferring bacteria from one tooth to another.
6. Be gentle: Flossing should not be painful. If you experience pain or bleeding, it could be a sign of gum disease. Speak to your dentist if you experience these symptoms.
7. Floss daily: Flossing should be done once a day, ideally before bed. This will remove any build-up that has accumulated throughout the day.

What Most Dental Websites Don’t Discuss

• Flossing as a public health tool: New 2025 research hints at the use of floss as a delivery vehicle for needle-free vaccines, opening exciting prospects for dental hygiene as a platform for broader preventive healthcare.
• Biofilm complexity: Tackling structured biofilms demands not only regular flossing but may also benefit from adjuncts like antimicrobial gels, a topic underexplored in standard dental messaging.
• Individualised recommendations: The optimal tool (floss, brush, pick) depends on periodontal status – personalised interdental cleaning improves efficacy.

Flossing FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get at Hamilton Dental Centre when it comes to flossing:

How often should I floss?

Dental associations and recent research agree: once daily (4 to 7 times per week) delivers the best results, though even once or twice weekly is preferable to none.

Does it matter if I floss morning or night?

While personal preference plays a role, flossing before bed may give added protection by removing debris before an overnight interval.

Can flossing reduce risk of serious health problems?

Yes. Latest research (2025) highlights dramatic associations with reduced risk of stroke and cardiovascular events in adults who floss regularly.

Is flossing still necessary if I use an electric toothbrush?

Yes. Toothbrushes, manual or electric, remove plaque from accessible surfaces but leave interdental areas untended.

What about alternative interdental tools?

Interdental brushes are more effective for patients with wider gaps or periodontal issues, while floss suits those with tight spaces or healthy gums.

Can flossing ever be harmful?

Improper flossing (aggressive motion, “snapping” the floss) can damage gum tissue. Technique matters – gentle, thorough cleaning is essential.

Is it too late to start flossing?

It’s never too late to start flossing! Depending on how regularly you visit your dentist, along with your other dental hygiene practices such as brushing, mouth washing, and even chewing sugar-free gum, you will hopefully be in a position where you have not already got a build-up of tartar on your teeth. Adding flossing into your daily oral hygiene routine at any stage of life will help to keep plaque under control and reduce your reliance on your dentist or hygienist to remove plaque and tartar build-up.

How long does it take before flossing makes a difference?

If you have never flossed before, it can be quite daunting (and painful) when you first start. Your teeth and gums will not be used to the cleaning process of getting in between your teeth and below your gum line with a flossing product. This can lead to some irritation in the first 2-3 days of starting flossing, however, after a week to ten days, you should be used to the process and your gum tissue will start to toughen. Even after one day, flossing will start to make a difference as you will instantly start to remove the build-up of plaque between your teeth and gums.

Why does it smell when I floss?

The most common cause of a bad smell when you floss is decaying food debris caught between your teeth. If food is caught between your teeth for more than 24 hours, it starts to rot and this is the smell that can then be transferred to your flossing string as you floss. If you notice a smell every time you floss, this could be a sign of a deeper lying issue and you should look to book an appointment with your dentist if the smell is more persistent when you floss.

Should I floss or brush first?

Most dentists will recommend that you floss before you brush your teeth. This is because flossing can dislodge both food debris and plaque which can be left behind on your teeth if you have already brushed. Flossing before brushing can also help with greater fluoride retention between your teeth. If you like to use mouthwash, it is recommended that you rinse your mouth first to remove any debris, then floss, then brush.

Summary

Flossing is an important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Regular flossing can prevent gum disease, and cavities, and save you money on dental procedures in the long run. By following the tips listed above, you can ensure that you are flossing properly and reaping all the benefits of this important oral hygiene practice.

It’s also important to note that flossing should not replace regular dental visits. Even with proper flossing, it’s still important to see your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups. Your dentist can identify any dental problems early on and provide treatment before they become more serious.

Further Reading

• American Dental Association
• Dental Floss (Wikipedia)
• Oral Health (Wikipedia)
• 2025: Regular flossing and risk reduction for stroke and AFib
• Tooth loss prevention with long-term interdental cleaning

This post was first published on 19 June 2023 and last updated 10 September 2025