What Type of Dental Floss Should I Use?

When it comes to choosing dental floss, there are a lot of options out there. Picking the right type of floss will make your flossing experience easy, smooth, fast and effective. We here at Water Tower Dental Care are here to help break down all of the different choices so that you can choose the best floss for your teeth.

How Does Dental Floss Help You?

Floss takes care of the food, bacteria and plaque your toothbrush can’t reach. Unlike brushes, floss dislodges the plaque under your gum line and between your teeth. Without floss, this plaque builds up and can cause bad breath, cavities and gingivitis. Taking the time to floss once a day can save you a lot problems and money in the future.

Different Types of Floss

While some toothbrushes have proven to be more effective than others, all floss is generally equal. Choosing the right type of floss typically comes down to what works best for your teeth and what you like most. Check out the following different types of floss and their individual benefits to help you decide which one is best for you.

• Unwaxed Floss: Basic floss that can fit in between very small spaces between your teeth. Though it can fit in tighter spaces, it is more likely to break or fray than waxed floss. Unwaxed floss may be best for people with teeth that are tightly spaced together.
• Waxed Floss: Floss coated with wax to make it stronger and allow it to slide more easily between teeth. The wax coating can make it more difficult to use in between teeth that are very close to each other. Waxed floss may be best for people who have teeth that are normally or widely spaced apart.
• Fluoride-Coated/Teflon Floss: Though not found to be any more effective than other types of floss, many people prefer fluoride-coated floss to wax floss because it slides quickly and easily between teeth. This type of floss may be best for people with closely spaced teeth.
• Flavored Floss: All types of floss can come in a variety of different flavors, from mint to cupcake! Flavored floss not only makes flossing more enjoyable, but can also freshen up your breath.
• Thickness: People with tightly spaced teeth will want to avoid thick floss, which may get stuck in between their teeth. Those with widely spaced teeth, on the other hand, will probably prefer thicker floss that covers more space.
• Dental Tape (Tape Floss): Dental tape is broader and flatter than other types of floss. It slides smoothly between teeth, covers a large area and is difficult to break or fray. Dental tape may be best for those with widely spaced teeth and people who are new to flossing.
• Super Floss: For those with braces, dental implants, or other types of dental work, super floss is a great option. Super floss is made up of three types of floss: stiffened-end threader, soft spongey floss and regular floss. The stiffened-end threader makes it easy to floss between teeth and dental appliances, such as braces. The larger spongey floss cleans around the appliances and is effective at flossing wide spaces. Finally, regular floss can be used to remove plaque normally between teeth.

Tools That Make Flossing Easier

Once you start flossing, you’ll get into a routine and realize how easy it is to keep at it. To make it even easier, you can use dental floss holders, floss wands, or power dental flossers (otherwise known as vibrating dental flossers). If you have problems gripping normal floss, these tools can help to make flossing more effective.

Flossing Alternatives

Some people use toothpicks, oral irrigators, mouthwash and other tools to replace flossing. Yet, using floss is still considered the most effective way to clean the spaces in between your teeth. You can always use other oral care products with floss, but make sure you continue flossing once a day to keep your mouth as healthy and clean as possible.
To make sure you’re using the best type of dental floss for your teeth, come on in to Water Tower Dental Care. Our dentists will help you choose floss that will most effectively and comfortably clean your mouth. Click here to request an appointment!