How To Floss Teeth

You Will Need

Step 1: When to floss

You should floss your teeth after you've brushed them, but only once a day. Brushing removes the bacteria and food particles from the surfaces of the teeth, but to get between the teeth, you need to floss.

Step 2: Get some floss

Break off about 45cm of floss. Wind the ends around each of your index fingers, leaving about 10 centimetres of slack between them.

Step 3: Now floss

Gently guide the floss between the teeth, using a rubbing motion. Don't snap it in to place.

When the floss reaches the gum line curve the floss against one of the teeth, and slide it between the tooth and the gum.

When you feel resistance gently take the floss away from the tooth

Step 4: Wind on

Each time you've finished a tooth, wind the used floss around one finger and release another 10 centimetres of slack from the other. Now move on and floss the next section of your teeth.

Step 5: Don't forget the back

You should always floss behind the back teeth too.

Step 6: WARNING

If you haven't been flossing, your gums may bleed a little at first. If this doesn't stop, contact your dentist right away.