Flossing is the single, most important weapon against plaque, perhaps more important than the toothbrush. Many people just don’t spend enough time flossing or brushing and many have never been taught to floss or brush properly.
Plaque is a sticky layer of material containing germs that accumulates on teeth, including places where toothbrushes can’t reach. The best way to get rid of plaque is to floss and brush your teeth systematically every day. The toothbrush cleans the tops, front and back of your teeth. Dental floss cleans in between/the sides of the teeth. Some people use waterpiks, but floss provides friction and is the better choice.
Floss removes plaque and debris that adhere to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Dental floss comes in many forms: waxed and un-waxed, flavored and unflavored, wide and regular. If used properly, all can clean and remove plaque equally well..
Flossing should be done once a day, at night time, before brushing.
You may prefer a pre-threaded flosser or floss holder, which looks like a little hacksaw. Flossers are handy for people with limited dexterity, for those who are just beginning to floss, or for caretakers who are flossing someone else’s teeth.
Don’t use waterpicks as a substitute for tooth brushing and flossing. They ARE, however, effective for those with orthodontic braces that retain food in areas a toothbrush cannot reach and for those with periodontal disease and need added tissue care with antibacterial agents that can be easily dispensed with such a device.