Use gentle contact with each tooth
Guide floss through the contact without snapping it into the gum. Curve it around the side of one tooth, then the neighboring tooth, and move gently along the surface. The aim is to clean the tooth, not saw at the tissue. Ask for a demonstration if contacts are tight or you are unsure how far to guide the floss.
Match the tool to your dental work
Braces, bridges, implants, and wider spaces can need a different approach. A threader, correctly sized interdental brush, or water flosser may be helpful depending on the design. Do not force a tool that does not fit. Bring up where floss catches or shreds; it can be a technique issue, but the dentist may also need to check the contact or restoration.
Build the habit and address persistent bleeding
Aim to clean between teeth daily at a time you can maintain. Link it to an existing routine and keep the supplies where you will use them. Bleeding or pain that continues deserves an assessment rather than ever more forceful cleaning. Ask the team which sites need special attention and how to tell whether your technique is improving between visits.
GOOD QUESTIONS
A little more clarity.
Should I floss before or after brushing?
Choose the order you can perform thoroughly and consistently. Daily interdental cleaning matters more than a preferred sequence. If your clinician gives specific instructions for a product or procedure, follow those directions.