How to Avoid Tooth Decay with Proper Flossing Techniques

How I Stopped Getting Cavities by Learning to Floss the Right Way

I used to think brushing my teeth twice a day was enough. I’d zip through a quick brush in the morning and before bed and pat myself on the back for a job well done. But despite my efforts, every time I visited the dentist, there it was—another cavity. It wasn’t until my hygienist gave me a mirror and a piece of floss that I realized how much I was missing. That moment changed everything.

1. The Wake-Up Call: My Cavity-Prone Reality

At 29, I had already had five cavities filled. I wasn’t a soda addict, and I avoided candy for the most part. So why was this happening? My dentist explained something that hit hard: brushing cleans about 60% of your tooth surfaces, but it’s flossing that tackles the other 40%—the spaces between teeth where decay often begins. In other words, brushing without flossing was like washing your hands without scrubbing between your fingers.

2. Flossing Mistakes I Didn’t Know I Was Making

I thought I knew how to floss. Pull out a piece, snap it between a couple teeth, yank it out, and call it a day. Turns out, I was doing more harm than good. Here’s what I was doing wrong:

• Using too short a piece of floss—making it hard to control.
• Snapping it in and out aggressively, which irritated my gums.
• Not curving the floss to follow the tooth’s contour, so I was missing debris.
• Only flossing once in a while, not daily.

Once I started flossing properly, everything changed. My gums stopped bleeding, my breath improved, and at my next cleaning—no cavities. None. That was a first in years.

3. Step-by-Step: How to Floss the Right Way

This is how I floss now—and how my hygienist taught me to do it the right way:

1. Start with 18 inches of floss. Wind most of it around one middle finger, and the rest around the other finger to take up slack as you go.
2. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Use a gentle sawing motion to guide it between your teeth. Don’t snap it in.
3. Curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it up and down, reaching below the gumline.
4. Repeat for the other side of the same gap. Then move on to the next tooth using a clean section of floss.
5. Be consistent. I now floss every night before brushing, so I don’t push plaque back into clean spaces.

It sounds tedious, but once it became a habit, it took less than two minutes. And honestly, the results were worth every second.

4. My Experience with Different Flossing Tools

Traditional string floss works best for me, but I tried other tools too. Everyone’s different, so here’s what I found:

• Floss Picks: Great for travel or beginners, but they don’t allow for the C-shape technique very well.
• Water Flossers: I use one occasionally as a supplement—it feels great on my gums, but I still use string floss for thorough cleaning.
• Interdental Brushes: These are helpful if you have braces or wider gaps between your teeth.

If regular flossing feels awkward, it’s worth experimenting with different options until something feels right. The key is consistency.

5. How Proper Flossing Prevents Tooth Decay

Tooth decay doesn’t start with a bang. It’s sneaky—plaque builds up, bacteria feed on leftover food particles, acid forms, and it slowly wears down enamel. Flossing interrupts this entire process by physically removing what brushing can’t reach.

When I finally committed to flossing daily, my dentist said the change in my mouth was obvious. Less tartar buildup, tighter gums, no bleeding, and best of all—no signs of new cavities. I could feel the difference too—my teeth felt cleaner, and I stopped dreading dental visits.

6. Tips That Made Flossing a Habit

Starting a new habit is always the hardest part, but here’s what helped me turn flossing from a chore into something automatic:

• Keep floss in plain sight, like next to your toothbrush or even on your nightstand.
• Set a phone reminder, especially for the first few weeks.
• Pair it with another habit, like watching your favorite show at night.
• Track your progress, even just with a simple checklist or calendar.

Now, skipping a night of flossing feels as weird as going to bed without washing my face. It’s just part of the routine.

7. What I Tell Friends Who Still Don’t Floss

Whenever someone tells me they don’t floss because it’s boring or they forget, I get it. I used to say the same. But I also used to pay hundreds in dental bills every year. Since I started flossing properly, I’ve saved money, avoided painful procedures, and actually look forward to my cleanings. My advice? Don’t wait until you’re staring down a drill to start taking flossing seriously. Your future self—and your wallet—will thank you.

And if you're looking for a place to get started or want recommendations tailored to your needs, check out Dentistry Toothtruth. They helped me find my current dental office, and it made all the difference.