Brushing your teeth twice a day helps maintain a healthy smile, by removing a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. However, bacteria can also be found between teeth, where your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing helps remove plaque from between your teeth and around the gumline.

How to Floss?

Use enough floss so you can hold the ends comfortably in your hands (about 45 cm). Wind the floss around both middle fingers and support it across your thumbs and index fingers. 

Floss at least once a day and remember to insert the floss gently with a side-to-side motion-don't snap it into place. Hold your thumbs and index fingers closely together to guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion.

Curve the floss into a C shape around the tooth at the gumline in order to clean the neck of the tooth.

Scrape the floss up and down moving the floss away from the gumline. Use a clean segment of floss to repeat on the rest of your teeth. And remember to floss the back side of the last tooth.

If you find it difficult handling floss you should get your dentist or hygienist to show you again. Alternatively, you may want to use a commercial floss holder or tie the floss in a loop.