--- title: The Proper Way to Floss description: Did you know that brushing your teeth only removes about 60% of plaque on your teeth? Plaque generates acid which can cause cavities, irritate the gu image: https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/hubfs/GSD_October2018/images/16.jpg --- [![Golden State](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/hubfs/GSD_October2018/images/header.png?t=1541073636630)](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/) - [Home](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com) - [About](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/about) - [Our Team](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/our-team) - [Office Tour](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/office-tour) - [Careers](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/careers) - [Our Services](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/services) - [General Dentistry](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/services-general-dentistry) - [Cosmetic Dentistry](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/services-cosmetic-dentistry) - [Emergency Care](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/services-emergency-care) - [Your Visit](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/your-visit) - [Payment Plans](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/cherry-payment-plans) - [Technology](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/technology) - [Blog](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/contact) # The Proper Way to Floss February 27, 2015 ![The Proper Way to Floss](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/hubfs/GSD_October2018/images/16.jpg) Did you know that brushing your teeth only removes about 60% of plaque on your teeth? Plaque generates acid which can cause cavities, irritate the gums, and lead to gum disease or tooth decay. Thus, daily flossing is highly recommended to remove the plaque and food particles from places where your toothbrush cannot easily reach, such as between teeth and under the gumline. Three important things to remember when flossing: 1. Use about 18 inches of floss.  2. Gently  follow the curve of your tooth, moving the floss in a back and forward motion against the side of the tooth. Make sure to go between the gumline as well. 3. Don't forget to floss the behind the back teeth.  For more information on the proper flossing technique, please see [American Dental Association](https://www.ada.org/en)'s diagram with  [step by step instructions.](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/hubfs/GSD_October2018/Pdfs/ADAHowToFloss_Eng.pdf)   Tags: [brushing](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/brushing) [floss](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/floss) [flossing](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/flossing) [plaque](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/plaque) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fsingle-post%2F2015%2F02%2F27%2Fflossing-tips%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fsingle-post%2F2015%2F02%2F27%2Fflossing-tips%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fsingle-post%2F2015%2F02%2F27%2Fflossing-tips%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fsingle-post%2F2015%2F02%2F27%2Fflossing-tips%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on pinterest](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/pinterest-color.png?width=24&name=pinterest-color.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fsingle-post%2F2015%2F02%2F27%2Fflossing-tips%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fsingle-post%2F2015%2F02%2F27%2Fflossing-tips%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fsingle-post%2F2015%2F02%2F27%2Fflossing-tips%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Featured Posts ## [![Scalloped Tongue: Causes and Treatment](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GSD-Scalloped-Tongue-Causes-and-Treatment-Blog-01.27.2210.21.21%20(1).jpg?width=712&name=GSD-Scalloped-Tongue-Causes-and-Treatment-Blog-01.27.2210.21.21%20(1).jpg) Scalloped Tongue: Causes and Treatment January 27, 2022](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/scalloped-tongue-causes-treatment) ## [![A Bruised Tooth: What is It and What to Do About It?](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GSD-Bruised-Sprained-Tooth-Blog-12.19.23-2.jpeg?width=712&name=GSD-Bruised-Sprained-Tooth-Blog-12.19.23-2.jpeg) A Bruised Tooth: What is It and What to Do About It? 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