Brushing cleans the front, back, and tops of your teeth. Flossing cleans between them, where a toothbrush can't reach and where cavities and gum disease often start.
Use about 18 inches of floss, wrapped around your middle fingers. Slide it gently between two teeth, curve it into a C shape against one tooth, and move it up and down below the gumline. Then do the same against the neighboring tooth.
A little bleeding when you start is common and usually improves within a week or two of daily flossing. If it doesn't, mention it at your next visit.
If regular floss is hard to use, floss picks or a water flosser can work too. The best tool is the one you'll use every day.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Call us with questions about your own teeth.