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If assisting with flossing, break off about 18 inches of floss. Wind ends of floss around your pointer or middle finger. Wrap the other end of the floss around the same finger on the opposite hand.
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Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and forefingers. Starting at the top and back of the mouth, guide the floss between two teeth. Use a gentle rubbing motion to guide the floss between the teeth. Do not quickly snap the floss between the teeth or you can cause pain or injury.
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Once you reach the gum line, curve the floss into a C shape against one tooth. For upper teeth, move the floss away from the gum line with a gentle downward motion against the tooth. For lower teeth, use an upward motion against the tooth, away from the gum line.
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Repeat for each tooth, using a clean section of floss for every 1-2 teeth.
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Allow the patient to rinse and dry their mouth. Dispose of floss. Do not reuse floss.