Dental floss

Brushing your teeth twice a day keeps your teeth healthy. In addition to the toothbrush, you should also use dental floss. Because with the brush you can only reach 70% of the tooth surface. But how do you use dental floss correctly? And should you buy the floss waxed or unwaxed? Read everything you need to know about the correct application and the different versions of dental floss here.

How to floss correctly

You should use dental floss before brushing your teeth. Then the fluorides of the toothpaste can penetrate the cleaned spaces and harden the enamel. Use the floss once a day.

dental flosss

Flossing instructions

When using dental floss, follow these steps:

  • Remove a thread about 50 centimetres long from the dental floss dispenser.
  • Hold the floss between your thumb and index finger. The piece in between should be about two centimetres long. This allows you to control the thread well and prevent injuries.
  • If you want, you can also wrap the floss loosely around both middle fingers twice to stabilize it.
  • Start at the incisors.
  • Insert the thread between two teeth with your thumb and index finger.
  • Place the floss around a tooth in a V-shape.
  • Move the thread up and down at least three times to remove the plaque.
  • Carefully go under the gum line and remove plaque there as well.
  • For a new space, use a new section of the dental floss.

Waxed or unwaxed – which dental floss is the right one?

Depending on the nature of the interdental space, different variants are advantageous. If the teeth are tight, waxed dental floss may be able to glide better through the teeth. However, the wax can stick to the tooth and then form new plaque attachment sites. In addition, wax residues from the toothpaste make it difficult to reach the tooth in the interdental space. Therefore, prefer unwaxed dental floss.

There is also dental floss with flavours and medicinal additives such as fluoride. These have no influence on the preventive effect. Their dosage is too low in the dental floss.

Dental floss variants

If you’re having trouble threading the floss, Super floss can be a good option. In addition to the hardened threading piece, this dental floss variant contains a puffed middle section and an unwaxed end piece. Super floss is particularly suitable for wearers of dentures and fixed braces.

If you can’t get the floss stretched over your fingers properly, dental floss sticks make it easier to clean the spaces between them. The stick has a short thread attached to a plastic holder.

Supplementary Resources

For large spaces between teeth, small brushes or triangular timbers are preferable to dental floss:

  • So-called interdental brushes are available in different sizes, pointed or cylindrical. They clean well between the molars, braces, bridges and implants. If the space between the teeth has enlarged due to inflammation, interdental brushes are an essential part of the daily brushing routine.
  • Medical triangular timbers are also suitable for this. They also stimulate the gums and are a good alternative for interdental care outside the home.

If you are still unsure which aid is suitable for you: An individual consultation from your dental team will help you.

Why floss?

The bacteria in our mouths are particularly happy about sugary food. They digest the sugar compounds and produce acids in the process, which then attack the tooth enamel. If the saliva does not have enough time to neutralize the acid before reaching for chocolate and the like again, caries develops.

In addition, the bacteria, together with food residues, form a complex, adhering biofilm, the dental plaque. If you remove the plaque with fluoride toothpaste, you make the greatest contribution to good oral hygiene and prevent diseases.

The spaces between the teeth, which are difficult for the toothbrush to reach, make up about 30 to 40 percent of the total tooth surface. They are particularly susceptible to caries, gingivitis and inflammation of the periodontium (periodontitis). Plaque and food residues must be specially removed from the spaces between them, and you should use dental floss for this. Especially for patients with braces, bridges or crowns, dental floss makes it easier to clean their teeth.

In the UAE

Oral health has taken centre stage with the new DHA dental insurance mandate introduced in January 2025, ensuring more residents have access to essential dental care. With a growing emphasis on preventive care, regular flossing is more important than ever.

Dubai’s healthcare sector continues to evolve, prioritizing well-being through enhanced insurance coverage and oral hygiene awareness. With the rise of premium dental clinics and advanced treatment options, maintaining a healthy smile has never been easier. Whether through flossing, interdental brushes, or regular dental checkups, taking care of your teeth today ensures a brighter, healthier future.