WatchProper Flossing Technique

Flossing the way that actually cleans between your teeth

Between your teeth is territory a toothbrush simply can't reach, no matter how thorough the brushing is, and it's exactly where most cavities and the start of gum disease take hold. That's what makes flossing every bit as essential as brushing. The catch is that flossing with poor technique barely outperforms skipping it altogether.

The technique we recommend at Dr. Raffi General & Implant Dentistry is shown here, and it comes down to a "C-shape": rather than snapping the floss up and down, curve it around each tooth so it hugs the surface and eases gently beneath the gumline, then repeat on both sides of every tooth.

Do it daily and correctly, and flossing clears the plaque building up between teeth and along the gumline before it ever hardens into tartar, which is the line between a simple hygiene visit and the start of gum disease.

If traditional floss feels clumsy in your hands, alternatives exist. Floss picks, water flossers, and interdental brushes can all work well when you use them consistently, so ask about them at your next cleaning and we'll help you land on what fits.