I have to finally learn how to floss my teeth!

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My very mild-mannered dentist got as close as she is probably capable of to shouting at me yesterday. Lots of blood when she was getting rid of a bit of tartar. Imminent gum disease. I must floss. She’s been saying this without shouting for years… (the flossing, not the imminent gun disease)

I have never got the hang of flossing. Anyone out there who have figured out how to do it? I also bought some TePe things on the way out.

Top tips please.

O my in recent years but I've no idea how to use the interdental brushes!
I use tape and just try my best

I can't do it, but my dentist said the interdental brushes are just as good. I find them easy, I use tepe ones but I guess just try a few until you find good ones. Or if it has to be floss you use could you try the sticks until you get used to it? They look like wee catapaults.

I use those little flossing thingies daily and the interdental brushes when I feel like it. Plus i see my hygienist twice a year. Easy peasy and works for me.

I genuinely don’t see how you need to “learn”? It’s pretty self explanatory, no?

Silicon interdental brushes from Lidl. Game changer.

Dentist here.
As with anything it’s always tricky to start with, but practice makes perfect. It might be worth booking an appointment with a hygienist if you really can’t manage, they’ll have the time to show you how.
Theres lots online too. It’s a routine that will definitely save your teeth

There are loads of good YouTube tutorials. The key is to move your hands so that the floss makes a c shape before you start moving back and forth. If you watch some videos they will explain this more.

I have also found a water glosser works really well when combined with regular flossing. It's not great on its own but if you use it after regular flossing it will blast out anything you have loosened.

She does a demo here:

Why Is Flossing Important?

I use the little silicon sticks, plus interdental brush where the gap is bigger. It's easier for some people than others, depends how crowded your teeth are.

I’ve found that as you slide the floss in between your teeth you need to push it against the side of one of your teeth to stop it going down too quickly and cutting your gums iyswim

The floss picks work well, like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glide-Pro-Health-Advanced-Floss-Picks/dp/B01MD2FF8O/ref=sr_1_6_pp?crid=S0GU0Y4TFH57&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zgCV0ACS4eMx0lH9UR3e_L18njXaC743D2Wp2e6G-5q86qfTBe66fCmTRYHtWchl3XeBnS646zF0JcOySkr_-on3vm2LWxym1eRjRSF7GP7RJ6y8ruXX6u67Klz19UIPBsRmoasfFfbPExnd3-_19rBfeeSoksmBjnfzXSjWe1oimNCTNcic-7eysQHU4R1dwHTQaQ7jtHRqP8R5U05WxolLQs-K9tXQe2AQQLOt_X-2ImetPmf-zNdlaN3k7KEQCkrJFQDAVpxw3v-OirQ5Ikc84eEr7QV3FdxEyfJ9_oUJKu6IGkBFGQ3tY5CLJG4VEm-l35yY0wtF5o3xikzX-Djl-UwisbaB9H4kCtp4f0Xw6nHsvupvKfGsqAQrG19npbCAx8zy77lkfZOn-uuBcUh7C8QtJJXrOtqfgdmfQoWRD_qLu0chyBtqwo2DyP_a.fPoIzKHRNnl4rYEsDmGxWPZTUqn_Bf_zT9yZIrawXzo&dib_tag=se&keywords=floss+picks&qid=1740776169&sprefix=floss+pi%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-6

Floss picks/Flossettes make it much easier. Don’t bother with tape or normal floss or those awful inter dental brushes. The water picks are a nightmare too.

I'm with the poster. I don't know how to floss either.

I’m in the same boat OP, thanks for this thread.

The tepe silicon brushes are the best. My gums went from bleeding to no bleeding. And I do it every night. Before I didn't floss much. Really life changing. Dentist and hygenist really happy. I didn't get a sticker though 😥

I have gums that are hard as nails. Having been a patient at a private dentist for years, they showed me how to floss and now it's habit. I use the interdental brushes, daily, as well as mouth wash and an electric toothbrush. Super healthy gums and no tartar either. It's worth doing as gum disease is related to heart disease and now they think dementia too.

I struggle with floss and with the tepe brushes. But a waterflosser? Since I’ve been using one I get no issues from my dentist or dental hygienist. I use the water flosser every morning and see the hygienist a couple of days before my dental checkup. All seems fine.

Thanks everyone, really helpful range of responses with lots to try.

I’m going in with the TePe things this evening, but have some floss in the house too, so will try @bluebiro’ s explanation on how to stop the scary gum-ripping with that.

Will work my way through until I find what works for me. Can’t put this off any longer.

Second this. The water flosser has been a game changer for me.

…it’s so good to know there will be something I can get to grips with,@alongtimeagoandfaraway and the other PPs who mentioned waterflossers.

I’ve never been offered a hygienist appointment - I’ve also learned from this thread that it would be well worth me booking one. (And then every six months or so).

Water flosser, dental tape to floss and disclosing tablets so you can check how you are doing.

All good.

Nasty and pointless comment ! Just leave the chat !
I totally agree OP, it's so tricky .
Was at the dentist yesterday and he told me my flossing method is damaging my gums 🙈!
Have been using a flossing device and a water flosser.
But he says use the tape only . And I just can't make it work . Especially in the back teeth .

I got a packet of the tepe angled interdental brushes which had 7 brushes, one brush in each size. Good for working out what sizes work best in which teeth, makes a big difference when the right size is used. I now buy bags of 25 of each of the sizes I use.

The angled tepe are much easier to use imo than the standard ones, especially on back teeth.

The more I used them, the less time it took and mouth feels much cleaner, gums less inflamed and I can use bigger sizes. It only takes 3-4 mins to do now.

Only took me until I was 56 to start! 😳

I've bought a water flosser which has really helped.