Categories: Oral Hygiene Basics

Popular Types of Floss and Tips for Flossing

There are varying types of floss and tips for flossing, and there is no standard way that is best for everyone. In fact, there is no rule that states you cannot have more than one type of dental floss product in your home.

Each serves its own purpose. For example, dental tape is a great tool to carry about, as it provides a way to floss whenever the need arises. On the other hand, an electric flosser is something that is best kept in the home.

Finding the right types of floss and tips for flossing

As with many things in life, it sometimes takes a little bit of trial and error for people to figure out what works best for them. With so many different products to choose from, making a choice can be overwhelming.

The reality is, the type of floss a person chooses is not really that important. What matters is actually flossing at least once each day.

Research conducted by the Journal of Clinical Dentistry indicates that an electric flosser is no safer or more effective than standard types of floss and tips for flossing. What differentiates the various devices used to clean the tight crevices around a person's teeth is how comfortable the process is.

Older people are more likely to have problems manipulating their fingers to floss their teeth, so they could benefit from an electric flosser that does all the work for them. Older children and teenagers tend to find electric flossers to be more fun, and that is something parents should consider if they are still trying to instill proper dental hygiene habits in their children.

Dentists recommend starting young kids off with regular flossers, but as they grow older, they should be allowed to transition to an electric flosser if that is their preference.

Dentists are here to help

When looking for the right floss to use, it is often a good idea to talk to a dentist. Dentists have extensive knowledge about the different issues each type of floss is best for, and that can simplify the decision-making process.

Here are a few things dentists are likely to tell their patients:

Dental tape is great for those with large gaps between their teeth
Wax floss slides into tight spaces easily
Spongy floss is great for people with dental prosthetics like braces and bridges
Floss picks are sometimes easier to use than regular floss

When it comes to dental floss, the most important part is getting it done each day. While many assume brushing alone is enough to keep teeth decay free, the truth is that it is not. Leaving plaque on the sides of a tooth and only cleaning the back, front and biting surface still leaves it vulnerable to decay.

Contact one of our dentists to learn more about picking the right dental floss.