Flossing - Cleaning inbetween your teeth
It is quite important to clean inbetween your teeth (interdental cleaning), although many people do not. If you do not clean inbetween your teeth you could be leaving 40% of your teeths surfaces uncleaned. Flossing enables you to reach areas of your teeth a toothbrush can't. Flossing should improve the general condition of your teeth and lower the risk of gum disease.
How to floss properly
Take about 50cm of dental floss and wrap it around both your middle fingers loosly, leaving about 5cm inbetween, and hold the bit inbetween with your thumbs and index fingers taught. Wrap most of the floss around one finger and only a little around the other. Gently slide the bit of floss your holding between two teeth making sure not to hit your gums too hard. Roll the foss around the curve of your teeth, including under the gumline. Unroll more floss from the finger with the most on and use the new clean bit to do the next tooth.
Bleeding Gums
It is fairly common for your gums to bleed when you first start flossing, however this should stop after a few days; when your gums become cleaner and healthier. If the bleeding percists consult your dentist as this could be a sign of gum disease.