{"id":4452,"date":"2017-11-14T02:36:40","date_gmt":"2017-11-14T01:36:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/uk\/?page_id=4452"},"modified":"2025-07-31T19:33:47","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T18:33:47","slug":"how-to-floss","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/us\/how-to-floss\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Floss Your Teeth: A Guide to the Best Products to Use"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wondering how to floss your teeth properly?<\/strong> Good!<\/p>

Flossing is an important part of your daily oral hygiene routine, so it\u2019s great that you\u2019re here to find out more about the right technique.<\/p>

And if you\u2019re not a fan of traditional dental floss, don\u2019t worry. There is a variety of products that use different technologies to make the job much easier.<\/p>

If you\u2019re short on time, have a look at the following table that features some of the best options on the market. Otherwise, read on for an in-depth review.<\/p>

Product<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Image<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Cleaning method<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Features<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Price<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>

TePe Dental Tape<\/strong><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Scrapes plaque from teeth<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Coated with natural beeswax; no shredding, fresh mint flavor<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Check price<\/p>

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>

Oral-B dental picks<\/strong><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

<\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Scrapes plaque from teeth<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Easy to hold<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Check price<\/p>

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>

CariPRO Cordless Water Flosser<\/strong><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Pulsing water jet<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

4 specialty floss tips; soft-touchgrip; 60-day trial<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Check price<\/p>

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>

Waterpik WP560<\/strong><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

<\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Pulsing water jet<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

3 modes; timer; portable<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Check price<\/p>

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>

Philips Sonicare AirFloss<\/strong><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

<\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Microburst technology (pressurized air and water)<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Angled nozzle; cordless; guidance tip for best position<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>

Check price<\/p>

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
<\/div> <\/div>

Why does flossing matter?<\/h2>

Despite how critical flossing is for healthy teeth, only 40% of Americans report flossing their teeth regularly.<\/p>

So why is flossing so important? Well, it all begins with the small food particles can easily get lodged in the gaps between your teeth and below the gum line.<\/p>

When you brush your teeth, you scrub bacteria, plaque and food particles off the chewing surfaces and visible sides of your teeth. But a regular toothbrush can\u2019t reach the tight spaces between your teeth and under your gums<\/strong>. This is why you need to do some kind of interdental (between-teeth) cleaning, too.<\/p>

If you don\u2019t thoroughly clean plaque from your teeth, it hardens over time and forms a substance called tartar. This thick deposit can\u2019t be removed by brushing or flossing teeth; only dentists can dislodge it with specialist tools during a scale and polish<\/a> (and the process isn\u2019t exactly pleasant).<\/p>

\"pick
A pick or stick is another way to do the job<\/figcaption><\/figure> <\/div>

Plaque and tartar build-up<\/a> on your teeth creates a breeding ground for bacteria, which then start attacking your tooth enamel. It also gives you bad breath, or halitosis<\/a>. If plaque develops in pockets between the teeth and gums it usually leads to gum disease (gingivitis<\/a>). This condition eventually causes teeth to become loose and even fall out if it\u2019s not treated.<\/p>

Brushing your teeth properly twice a day is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy, and some of the best electric toothbrushes<\/a> use a pulsing motion to help clean between teeth. But they are still not a complete replacement for flossing.<\/p>

Ask a dentist: How often should you floss?<\/div>