Flossing daily removes plaque and food particles between teeth and below the gumline.

Wrap an 18-inch strand around your middle fingers and hold a one-inch section.

Ease floss between your teeth. Clean up and down several times while curving around teeth at the gumline. Don't scrub.

You may experience sore or bleeding gums for the first several days you floss. If bleeding continues after the first week of flossing, call your dentist. If you are having trouble handling floss, you can ask about the use of a floss holder or other types of interdental cleaning aids.