How Often Should You Floss?

Whether you’re a diligent daily flosser or someone who goes weeks without picking it up, there’s a lot of confusion about the “right” flossing routine. Once a day? Every other day? With so many opinions floating around, it’s easy to see why people are unsure.

The short answer: flossing should ideally be part of your daily routine, though every other day can be adequate if your technique is thorough and you’re brushing twice daily with an electric toothbrush.

Why Flossing Matters

Brushing cleans the surfaces of your teeth, but it doesn’t reach the gaps between them. As plaque and tartar build up in those spaces, bacteria produce acids that weaken enamel and irritate your gums. Flossing is the only way to clean those tight areas — without it, you can develop cavities between teeth or gum inflammation that progresses toward gum disease.

Do You Really Need to Floss Every Day?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day. That said, flossing every other day can still adequately clear plaque if your brushing is thorough and you’re using an electric toothbrush, which tends to be more effective than manual brushing at disrupting plaque along the gumline.

If you notice bleeding when you floss, that’s usually a sign to floss more consistently, not less — daily flossing helps clear the buildup that’s causing the irritation in the first place. If bleeding persists past a week or two of consistent flossing, it’s worth mentioning to your dentist.

Flossing Options

Traditional string floss isn’t the only option, and for some people it isn’t the easiest one either.

Traditional Floss

Wrapped around your fingers and guided between each tooth. Effective, but some people find the technique awkward at first. Use a generous length (about 18 inches), gentle back-and-forth motions, and avoid snapping it against your gums.

Flossing Picks

Disposable wands with a small section of floss on the end — no finger-wrapping required, which makes them a popular starting point for people who find traditional floss difficult.

Water Flossers

Use a pressure stream of water to clean between teeth and along the gumline. Especially useful for anyone with braces or other orthodontic hardware that makes string floss harder to manoeuvre.

Interdental Brushes

Small brushes sized to fit the gaps between your teeth — often easier to use around braces brackets than string floss.

Air Flossers

Use a burst of air and water to dislodge plaque and food particles, without needing to touch your teeth or gums directly.

Add a real photo here — see IMAGES.md

Schedule Your Next Cleaning

Flossing is one of the simplest habits you can build for long-term oral health — daily is ideal, and every other day is a reasonable fallback if your brushing routine is solid.

Visit our team every six months for a professional cleaning and exam, and we can help pinpoint exactly how often you should be flossing and any spots you might be missing.