Daily care
How to floss without dreading it
Floss, tape or interdental brushes? A hygienist's simple routine for cleaning between your teeth in under two minutes.
Written by
Aiko Tanabe
Clarent dental team
Brushing cleans about two thirds of each tooth surface. The rest sits between your teeth, where plaque settles quietly and gums start to bleed. Cleaning those gaps once a day is the single habit that changes most check-ups.
Choose the tool that fits the gap
Tight contacts suit thin floss or tape. Wider gaps, braces and bridges are easier with interdental brushes. Ask your hygienist to size the brushes at your next visit: the right size slides in with light resistance and never needs forcing.
A two-minute routine
- Do it once a day, at the time you are least likely to skip it.
- Curve the floss into a C shape around each tooth and slide it just under the gum line.
- Use a clean section for each gap.
- Expect some bleeding for the first week. If it continues, tell us.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own dentist or hygienist.
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