Floss daily to remove trapped food and plaque between teeth

Floss between every tooth once a day to remove food particles and plaque that your toothbrush cannot reach. Decomposing food trapped between teeth is one of the most common causes of persistent bad breath, and the bacteria in interdental plaque produce volatile sulfur compounds that brushing alone will not eliminate.

Why It Works

The ADA recommends cleaning between teeth once daily as an essential part of oral hygiene. Interdental spaces make up roughly 40% of total tooth surface area. Without flossing, food debris and bacterial plaque accumulate in these gaps, fermenting and releasing odor. Regular flossing also reduces the risk of gum disease, another major contributor to halitosis.

Tips

• If traditional string floss is difficult, use floss picks, interdental brushes, or a water flosser
• Water flossers are especially helpful for people with braces, bridges, or wide gaps
• Smell the floss after use -- a foul odor confirms bacterial buildup in that area
• Bleeding gums when you start flossing usually resolve within 1-2 weeks of consistent use
• Floss before brushing so fluoride from toothpaste can reach freshly cleaned interdental surfaces