Brushing teeth properly and consistently helps to remove most
dental plaque, but brushing alone cannot remove plaque that is
located in places that a toothbrush cannot reach -- particularly
in between teeth. In addition to removing plaque, flossing also
helps to: Flossing should be done at least once a day for two to
three minutes each time to be most effective. Regardless of what
type of dental floss you are most comfortable using, the oral
health benefits remain the same> Regular, consistent flossing is
the single most important weapon against plaque -- perhaps more
important than the toothbrush. The different types of dental
floss include: Your dentist or other oral health care provider
can provide a demonstration of any of the following flossing
techniques. They include: Flossing tools, such as a prethreaded
flosser or floss holder, may be helpful for people who are just
learning how to floss, individuals with limited dexterity in
their arms and/or hands, or persons who are flossing the teeth
of someone e