Prevention and Hygiene
Flossing
Flossing is cleaning between your teeth with a thin strand of floss to remove plaque and food. The ADA recommends doing it once a day.
Brushing cannot fully clean the spaces between teeth. The ADA recommends you floss once a day to remove food particles and plaque. Plaque that is not cleaned away can harden into tartar, which only a dentist can remove, and it can lead to gum disease.
Any time of day works. The most important thing is to make it a daily habit. Slide the floss gently between teeth and curve it around each tooth. Cleaning between teeth should not cause pain. If it hurts, tell your dentist.
If string floss is hard to use, other tools may help, such as picks, an interdental brush, or a water flosser. ADA data shows that interdental cleaning adds benefits when used with brushing. See brushing technique and plaque.