Best Way To Floss Teeth: UK Dentist-Approved Guide & Tools

You know you should floss. Your dentist reminds you at every check up. But between tangled string, bleeding gums, and awkward angles trying to reach your back teeth, it often feels more hassle than it's worth. Most people either skip it entirely or rush through it without actually cleaning anything.

The truth is that flossing works brilliantly when you do it properly. The problem isn't flossing itself but rather the technique and tools you're using. Once you nail the basics and find what suits your mouth, you can clean between every tooth in under two minutes.

This guide shows you exactly how to floss your teeth the right way. You'll learn which flossing tools work best for different situations, the proper technique that removes plaque without hurting your gums, and how to adapt your approach if you have braces, implants, or other dental work. We'll also share practical tips to make flossing a habit that actually sticks. No confusing jargon or complicated methods. Just straightforward advice that gets results.

Why flossing the right way matters

Your toothbrush can't reach the 40% of tooth surfaces that sit between your teeth. This creates the perfect hiding spot for plaque and food debris, which rapidly turns into tartar if you don't remove it daily. When you floss incorrectly, you miss most of this build-up, leaving bacteria to multiply and attack your gums and tooth enamel. Poor technique can also damage your gum tissue, causing pain and bleeding that makes you want to avoid flossing altogether.

Proper flossing removes up to 80% of plaque between teeth, whilst ineffective technique removes less than 30%.

Learning the best way to floss teeth protects you from gum disease, which affects over half of UK adults according to research. Plaque bacteria release toxins that inflame your gums, leading to gingivitis first, then periodontitis if left untreated. Your gums start to recede, pockets form around your teeth, and you risk losing teeth entirely. Regular, proper flossing stops this progression before it starts by removing the bacteria that cause inflammation.

Beyond your mouth, research links gum disease to heart problems, diabetes complications, and pregnancy issues. The bacteria from infected gums can enter your bloodstream and trigger inflammation throughout your body. Spending two minutes a day flossing properly is one of the simplest ways to protect both your oral health and your overall wellbeing. Get your technique right, and you'll see healthier gums, fresher breath, and fewer problems at your next dental check-up.

Step 1. Pick the best flossing tool for you

The best way to floss teeth starts with choosing the right tool for your mouth. Your teeth spacing, gum health, and any dental work you have all influence which option works best. Traditional string floss remains the gold standard because you can wrap it around each tooth and slide it beneath the gum line, but modern alternatives like water flossers and interdental brushes can be just as effective when you use them correctly.

String floss for tight contacts

Waxed dental floss glides easily between teeth that sit close together, making it your best choice if you have tight contacts or crowding. The wax coating helps the floss slide through narrow gaps without shredding or getting stuck. You can find it in any supermarket or pharmacy for a few pounds.

Unwaxed floss works better for wider gaps because it has more surface area to grip plaque. Some people prefer the slightly grippy texture, whilst others find it catches too easily. Try both types to see which feels more comfortable in your mouth.

Interdental brushes for larger spaces

Interdental brushes look like tiny bottle brushes and excel at cleaning between teeth with wider gaps, around dental bridges, and along the gum line. You need to choose the correct size so the brush fits snugly between your teeth without forcing it. Start with the smallest size and work up until you find one that fills the space comfortably.

These brushes work particularly well if you have gum recession or if you've lost teeth, as the gaps tend to be larger. You can reuse each brush several times before replacing it, making them cost-effective despite the higher initial price compared to string floss.

Water flossers for sensitive gums and dental work

Water flossers shoot a pressurised stream of water between your teeth to dislodge food and bacteria. They're excellent if you have braces, implants, or sensitive gums that bleed with traditional floss. The pulsing water massages your gums whilst cleaning, which many people find more comfortable than threading string between their teeth.

Water flossers remove debris effectively but can't scrape plaque off tooth surfaces like string floss does.

Step 2. Floss with perfect technique

The best way to floss teeth relies on proper technique far more than the tool you choose. You need to slide the floss beneath your gum line and curve it around each tooth in a C-shape to scrape off plaque, not just push it through the gap and pull it back out. Most people rush through flossing without actually cleaning anything, which explains why their gums keep bleeding and their dentist keeps finding cavities between teeth.

How to floss with string

Start with about 45 cm (18 inches) of floss and wind most of it around your middle fingers, leaving a 3-4 cm section taut between your hands. This gives you enough clean floss to use a fresh section for each tooth. Your index fingers and thumbs control the floss whilst your middle fingers act as spools.

Guide the floss between two teeth using a gentle zigzag motion. Never snap or force it through, as this damages your gum tissue. Once the floss reaches your gum line, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth and slide it 2-3 mm beneath the gum. Pull the floss up and down against the tooth surface at least five times to scrape off plaque.

Proper flossing should feel like you're hugging each tooth with the floss, not sawing between your teeth.

Move the floss to the adjacent tooth, form another C-shape, and repeat the sliding motion. You need to clean both sides of every gap, which means you'll make a C-shape twice for each space between teeth. Unwind clean floss from one finger and wind the used section onto the other finger as you work around your mouth.

Reach your back teeth by hooking the floss around them and pulling it forward against the tooth surface. These molars collect the most plaque because they're harder to clean, so spend extra time on them. Don't forget the back side of your last tooth on each side.

How to use a water flosser correctly

Fill the reservoir with lukewarm water and select the lowest pressure setting when you first start. Place the tip in your mouth, lean over the sink, and turn it on before directing the stream between your teeth. Keep your mouth slightly open so water can drain out.

Hold the tip at a 90-degree angle to your gum line and pause briefly between each tooth. The water should flow steadily out of your mouth into the sink. Work systematically around your entire mouth, spending about two seconds on each gap. Gradually increase the pressure over several days as your gums adapt, but never use a setting that causes pain or excessive bleeding.

Step 3. Tailor flossing to your teeth and dental work

Your mouth is unique, and the best way to floss teeth changes based on what's in it. Braces, implants, bridges, and crowns all require specific adjustments to your flossing technique. You can't use the same approach for every situation and expect good results. Adapting your method ensures you clean thoroughly without damaging your dental work or causing unnecessary discomfort.

Flossing with braces

Threading floss under your braces wire takes extra time but removes food that gets trapped around brackets. You need to guide the floss between each tooth and the wire, then clean both sides of the gap as normal. This process becomes faster with practice, though it typically takes three to four minutes to floss your entire mouth.

Floss threaders work like large needles that pull regular floss under wires. You can also use orthodontic floss with a stiff end that pushes through gaps more easily. Water flossers excel at cleaning around brackets and wires, making them the most practical option if you find threading too tedious.

Flossing around implants, crowns, and bridges

Dental implants and crowns need the same careful flossing as natural teeth because plaque buildup can cause infection around the implant or decay beneath the crown. Use gentle pressure and avoid snapping floss against the restoration, which could dislodge temporary work or damage the seal.

Bridges require special attention because you can't floss between the false tooth (pontic) and your gum normally. Thread floss under the pontic using a floss threader or use a proxy brush to clean the space where the false tooth meets your gum tissue. This area collects bacteria quickly, so clean it daily without fail.

Implants can develop peri-implantitis (gum disease around implants) if you don't remove plaque regularly, potentially leading to implant failure.

Gum recession creates larger spaces between teeth and exposes sensitive root surfaces. Interdental brushes often work better than string floss in these gaps, and you should use extra gentle pressure on exposed roots to avoid wearing away the softer tooth structure.

Step 4. Make flossing easy to stick to

Knowing the best way to floss teeth means nothing if you don't actually do it. You need to build flossing into your daily routine until it becomes automatic, and that requires deliberate habit formation. Most people fail because they rely on willpower alone, but successful flossers create systems that make the behaviour inevitable. Place your floss where you'll see it, link it to an existing habit, and track your progress until flossing feels as natural as brushing.

Floss at the same time every day

Floss before you brush at night to remove debris that your toothbrush can then sweep away. Evening works best because you've accumulated food and plaque throughout the day, and you won't eat again before bed. Morning flossing works too if that fits your schedule better, but pick one time and stick to it consistently.

Link flossing to an existing habit by placing your floss next to your toothbrush. You already brush twice daily without thinking about it, so attaching flossing to this established routine removes the decision fatigue. Keep floss in every bathroom you use regularly to eliminate excuses about not having it available.

Habits form fastest when you perform them at the same time and place every day, making the behaviour automatic within 2-3 months.

Mark each successful flossing session on a calendar or habit tracking app to visualise your streak. Seeing 30 consecutive days motivates you to keep going rather than break the chain. Start with a two week commitment rather than aiming for perfection forever, which feels overwhelming and sets you up to quit.

Final thoughts

The best way to floss teeth comes down to three things: choosing the right tool for your mouth, using proper technique that scrapes plaque off each tooth surface, and building a daily habit that sticks. You don't need expensive equipment or complicated methods. String floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser all work brilliantly when you use them correctly and consistently. Start tonight and you'll notice healthier gums and fresher breath within a fortnight.

Your gums might bleed for the first week as they adjust to regular cleaning, but this should stop quickly as inflammation reduces. If bleeding continues beyond two weeks or you experience persistent pain, book a dental check-up to rule out underlying gum disease or other issues that need professional treatment.