The wait times in our emergency departments are longer than usual due to illnesses like RSV and the flu. View our estimated ED wait times and learn more about where to get care for your sick child.

Patient & Family Education Materials

Start over with a New Search

What Is Dental Floss?

Article Translations: (Spanish)

Dental Floss

Dental floss is string sometimes coated with wax. Using it each day keeps the dentist away. Why? Because flossing is a way of cleaning your teeth and gums. When you pull dental floss between your teeth, it reaches tiny places your toothbrush can't and pulls out bits of food and plaque that got left behind. So get out that floss and get to work!

Back To Top

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

© 1995-2025 KidsHealth ® All rights reserved. Images provided by iStock, Getty Images, Corbis, Veer, Science Photo Library, Science Source Images, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com