Abstract: The present invention is an improved tensioning mechanism for use in a dental flossing apparatus. The dental flossing apparatus is used in conjunction with a dental floss container, which has an inner lip and which contains a spool of dental floss. The tensioning mechanism includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each of which has a first end and a second end and each of which has a raised tip-portion at its second end which has a hole disposed perpendicularly thereto and adapted to receive the dental floss therethrough. The second elongated member is formed so that it is pivotally coupled to the first elongated member in a scissor-like manner the raised tip-portions of the first and second elongated members will separate from each other when their first ends are brought together. The tensioning mechanism also includes a dispensing mechanism for controlling the dispensing of dental floss from the dental floss container.