Why does cleaning between teeth matter?
Cleaning between the teeth removes plaque and food from spaces a toothbrush cannot reach, which supports gum health and helps reduce the risk of decay between contacts. Healthdirect explains that a toothbrush will not reach those spaces, and that daily flossing helps remove plaque there and keep gums healthy (healthdirect).
Interdental cleaning is the term for cleaning between teeth. The Australian Dental Association recommends doing it at least once a day and lists string floss, flossettes, interdental brushes and water flossers as options (teeth.org.au). Better Health Channel notes that floss and interdental brushes can remove plaque between teeth, and suggests asking your oral health professional which product suits you (Better Health Channel).
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. Left between contacts and along the gumline, it can irritate the gums. Daily interdental cleaning sits alongside brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and regular check-ups and cleans.
How do you floss with string floss?
String floss works when you curve it into a soft C-shape around each tooth and slide it slightly below the gumline without forcing or snapping it into the gums. Healthdirect advises flossing at least once a day, ideally before brushing (healthdirect).
A practical sequence, based on healthdirect and ADA guidance:
- Break off about 40–50 cm of floss (healthdirect) or about 30–45 cm (ADA). Wind most of it around the middle fingers of each hand, leaving a few centimetres to work with.
- Hold the floss firmly between your thumbs and index fingers so the working section is taut.
- Guide the floss into the contact with a short back-and-forth motion — do not snap it onto the gum.
- Curve the floss into a soft C-shape against one tooth wall, then slide it up and down a few times, including a short distance below the gumline, without forcing.
- Curve the floss the other way against the neighbouring tooth and repeat, using a clean section for each new space.
Healthdirect stresses taking your time and avoiding “snapping” floss against the gums (healthdirect). The ADA describes an up-and-down motion along each tooth so the floss can go slightly under the gums to clear bacteria (teeth.org.au). If a contact is very tight or the floss shreds, ask your dentist or hygienist to demonstrate another approach.
What are common flossing mistakes?
Common mistakes include snapping floss into the gums, skipping the C-shape so the floss only pops through the contact, reusing a dirty section, leaving back teeth untouched, and stopping if the gums bleed. Snapping can injure gum tissue. Skipping the curve against each tooth wall leaves plaque on the sides of the teeth.
The ADA says you should not stop cleaning between your teeth if they bleed; ongoing bleeding is a reason for a check-up (teeth.org.au). If bleeding continues despite regular, careful cleaning, see our guide on bleeding gums: when to see a dentist. Persistent bleeding should be assessed rather than managed by guesswork at home.
When might floss picks, interdental brushes or water flossers help?
Floss picks (flossettes), interdental brushes and water flossers can help some people when string floss is hard to manage or the spaces between teeth need a different tool. The ADA lists these as recognised options alongside string floss (teeth.org.au). Healthdirect also notes these tools, and advises against toothpicks because they are more likely to damage teeth (healthdirect).
Flossettes hold floss on a handle and may help people who find string floss hard to reach with. Interdental brushes are small brushes sized for different gaps; the ADA advises choosing a size that fits without forcing, and asking your dentist if you are unsure. Water flossers use a stream of water to help clear debris; suitability still depends on your mouth (teeth.org.au).
AMK Dental Clinic does not endorse particular brands. Your dentist or hygienist can advise which method fits your contacts, gum condition, restorations or braces after examining your mouth. Better Health Channel likewise recommends talking with your oral health professional about floss or interdental brushes (Better Health Channel).
How do check-ups support home interdental care?
Regular check-ups let your dental team review plaque control between teeth, demonstrate technique, and remove hardened plaque (calculus) that home tools cannot remove. Healthdirect recommends seeing your dental practitioner every six to twelve months, or as often as they recommend (healthdirect).
At a check-up and clean, your dentist can discuss bleeding gums, tight contacts, and whether another interdental aid may suit you. Read more in our post on the benefits of regular dental check-ups. If treatment beyond home care is recommended, you receive an itemised written estimate before anything goes ahead.
This page is general information only. It is not a personal diagnosis or treatment plan. Ask your dentist what is suitable for your teeth and gums.
Booking advice in Mortlake
AMK Dental Clinic is at Shop 3, 46 Tennyson Road, Mortlake NSW 2137. We serve Mortlake and nearby suburbs including Breakfast Point, Cabarita, Concord, Rhodes and North Strathfield.
For a demonstration of flossing or interdental cleaning, or if gums keep bleeding, book online or call (02) 9739 6525. See opening hours on the Contact page.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice about your own situation. Please speak with a dentist about your needs.
Common questions
How often should I floss?
Healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association advise cleaning between your teeth at least once a day, ideally before brushing. Daily interdental cleaning helps remove plaque and food from spaces a toothbrush cannot reach. If your gums keep bleeding despite regular cleaning, book a check-up at AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake so the cause can be examined.
Is it normal for gums to bleed when I start flossing?
Bleeding can happen when gums are inflamed from plaque, especially if you have not been cleaning between the teeth regularly. The ADA says you should not stop cleaning between your teeth if they bleed. Keep using a careful technique and see a dentist if bleeding continues. Our bleeding gums guide explains when to book.
Do I need string floss, or can I use other tools?
String floss is one option. The ADA also lists flossettes (floss picks), interdental brushes and water flossers as ways to clean between teeth. What suits you depends on the spaces between your teeth, braces, dexterity and preference. AMK Dental Clinic does not endorse brands; ask your dentist or hygienist what fits your mouth.