The Importance of Flossing: Why It’s Essential for Your Oral Health

Almost 75% of Australians aren’t flossing their teeth.

Yep, you read that right – three quarters of the population. These figures were revealed in a survey conducted by the Australian Dental Association last year, and were received with alarm by the dental community.

But why is flossing so important? And how can we get more Aussies flossing on a regular basis?

In this post, Victorian Dental Group explains why flossing, Pikstering, or any other form of interdental cleaning, is so essential to your oral health:

What is flossing?

Flossing is the act of using dental floss to remove plaque and food debris from in between your teeth. It’s recommended to floss at least once a day to prevent plaque from building up. Plaque is bacteria which can cause tooth decay and gum disease, along with physical symptoms like tooth pain, sensitivity and bad breath.

Why is flossing important?

Here’s why flossing is essential for your oral hygiene, and why you should aim to floss at least once a day:

Brushing isn’t sufficient alone

While brushing is also essential to oral health, it’s not enough on its own to clean your whole mouth. A tooth has 5 sides, and brushing only removes plaque from 3 of those 5 sides, meaning it only cleans 60% of the tooth.

To clean the other 40%, flossing or Pikstering is required to remove plaque from in between the teeth.

Removing plaque and debris

Flossing removes plaque and debris which builds up after a normal day of eating. Plaque, a sticky film, is a bacteria which eats away at your teeth and gums, causing decay and gum disease. Flossing or Pikstering is the only way of removing plaque from between your teeth.

Eliminate bad breath

Bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth – in other words, plaque which hasn’t been removed. If you’re not flossing regularly, you’re at a higher risk of having bad breath. Flossing every day eliminates the risk of having persistent bad breath.

How to floss properly

Take a 30-40cm piece of dental floss, holding it taut between thumb and index finger. Gently glide the floss up and down between your gum and each tooth, making sure not to glide over your gums in the process. Remove debris from between the teeth. Floss once a day, ideally before bed. Floss before brushing your teeth; this is because flossing loosens bacteria particles which are cleaned away from the mouth during brushing.

Let’s get into better flossing routines so that we can enjoy better oral health and less daunting visits to the dentist. If it’s time for a general check-up and clean, or a cosmetic dental appointment, book in with the team at Victorian Dental Group. Placing emphasis on dental education and gentle dental care, Victorian Dental Group is Melbourne’s leading team of dentists and hygienists. Make an appointment at our Malvern dental clinic today and enjoy better quality dental care.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest PrevPreviousTop Signs You May Need to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed NextTop 10 Tips for Maintaining Healthy Teeth Between Dental VisitsNext CALL US: 9088 5808 Back to top Back to top

PREVENT

RESTORE

RECREATE

VICTORIAN DENTAL GROUP
291 WATTLETREE ROAD, MALVERN EAST, VIC, 3145, AUSTRALIA
(03)90885808
INFO@VICTORIANDENTALGROUP.COM.AU

HOURS
MON 8:00AM - 5:00PM
TUE 8:00AM - 5:00PM
WED 8:00AM - 5:00PM
THU 8:00AM - 5:00PM
FRI 8:00AM - 5:00PM
SAT CLOSED
SUN CLOSED

https://www.qip.com.au/ https://www.ada.org.au/

Facebook-f Instagram

We are taking a short break

The clinic will be closed from Thursday 2nd April 2026, and will reopen on Tuesday 7th April 2026. Online booking remains available for scheduling appointments.

Victorian Dental Group will be closed for annual maintenance on 3rd and 4th of October. Online booking remains active and our team will be available from Monday 7th October.

(03) 9088 5808

Book Online

PREVENT

RESTORE

RECREATE

9088 5808

PREVENT

RESTORE

RECREATE

9088 5808

The Importance of Flossing: Why It’s Essential for Your Oral Health

What is flossing?

Why is flossing important?

How to floss properly

PREVENT

RESTORE

RECREATE

We are taking a short break

(03) 9088 5808

Images on This Page