Earlier, we talked about how to floss your teeth. Now we will get into the nitty-gritty about choosing dental floss types. Not all mouths are the same and what works for some definitely won’t work for everyone.With so many dental floss types to choose from, making an informed decision can seem like a daunting task. We’re here to help. If you’ve ever wondered what dental floss to use, this is for you.
Waxed Dental Floss
Coming out of the gate strong, this floss is the boss with effortless gliding between evenly spaced teeth. The wax also strengthens the floss and prevents it from frayingtoo easily.
Pros: Easy gliding between teeth. Strong and won’t easily break or fray.
Cons: Because of the wax, this dental floss is thicker. If some of your teeth are tight together, you may need to look at an unwaxed floss.
Unwaxed Floss
For mouths with teeth close together, unwaxed floss can be a lifesaver. It’s easier to maneuver in tight spaces, but because it doesn’t have a protective wax coating, this floss can fray and break faster.
Pros: Thinner, which is helpful in mouths with crowded teeth. If there are unwanted chemicals in your waxed floss, you won’t find those here.
Cons: The biggest downside to unwaxed floss is that it frays and breaks without a wax coating.
PTFE Floss is highly effective at sliding between tight teeth
Is this gore-tex? Well, kinda. PTFE Floss is made with polytetrafluorethylene, a material used to make gore-tex fabric. It’s highly effective at sliding between tight teeth.
Pros: Doesn’t shred easily. Perhaps even better at getting between crowded teeth than waxed floss.
Cons: Because of the Teflon-like substance that coats the floss, concern has grown about the harmful health effects of this floss. Consult with our team before using it.
Dental tape is great for people with larger spaces between their teeth
Flatter and broader than what you might expect from adental floss, dental tape is great for people with larger spaces between their teeth.
Pros: Comes in waxed and unwaxed options. Also helpful for people with bridgework.
Cons: Dental tape is not a good choice of floss if your teeth are close together or crowded.
Water Flosser is better than regular floss
This might seem like a more extravagant option, but water flossers are becoming more popular. For good reasons: they are readily affordable,easy to use and effective.
Pros: Proven to be better than regular floss at reducing gingivitis, gingival bleeding, and removing plaque.
Cons: While cost-per-use goes down over time, the initial investment for a water flosser ismore than what you pay for a pack of regular dental floss.
The Floss Pick
Floss picks are great for people on the go. They’re small plastic tools with a short bit of floss attached—perfect to carry with you during busy days. They’re also great for teaching kids how to floss.
There’s more to flossing than just the floss type. Talk to us today to learn more.
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FAQs
Aside from being thinner than waxed tape, some sources say unwaxed tape has fewer chemicals and moves more easily in between teeth, but we believe waxed floss is more effective. However, if you find waxed floss to be too thick, then you may prefer unwaxed.
What type of dental floss is most effective? ›
Aside from being thinner than waxed tape, some sources say unwaxed tape has fewer chemicals and moves more easily in between teeth, but we believe waxed floss is more effective. However, if you find waxed floss to be too thick, then you may prefer unwaxed.
What type of floss will remove most plaque? ›
If possible, textured, thicker floss with a wax coating will be better at removing plaque before it hardens and becomes tartar.
What is the healthiest way to floss your teeth? ›
Keep it simple. “Wrap floss around middle fingers, and use your forefinger and thumb to have more control close to the tooth,” explains Dr. Palmer. “Make a C-shape to hug the side of the tooth, and move floss up and down five times, going slightly below the gums.
Which flossing method is better? ›
Traditional Method Dental Floss
While both options are equally effective in removing tooth debris, waxed floss is less likely to shred and is easier to slide between teeth, plus the texture of the wax makes it easier for food slide out from those tiny cracks.
Which floss not to use? ›
PTFE and PFOA have some incredibly dangerous impacts on human health, so I recommend avoiding Teflon floss altogether. (The most common Teflon floss is Glide Pro-Health floss.) Many types of floss are coated in petroleum.
How do you floss without damaging your teeth? ›
Gently glide the floss up and down, rubbing it against both sides of each tooth. Don't glide the floss into your gums. This can scratch or bruise your gums. As the floss reaches your gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C shape.
Is it better to floss before or after brushing your teeth? ›
While it may be surprising, a study has found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque than brushing first, flossing second. In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth.
Should I floss between gums? ›
Slip the floss or dental tape between the teeth and into the area between your teeth and gums, as far as it'll go. Floss with 8 to 10 strokes, up and down between each tooth, to dislodge food and plaque.
Is anything better than flossing? ›
Interdental brushing is an alternative to flossing that uses a small toothpick-like tool with bristles that can work its way between your teeth. It is designed to help clean the hard-to-reach places in your mouth.
Waterpiks can loosen food particles and other debris that toothbrushes leave behind. While they're not as good as flossing, they're better than nothing.
What are the disadvantages of using a Waterpik? ›
The rinsing action of Waterpiks may not be enough to remove plaque completely from the surface of your teeth. Some people like to use string floss first to scrape off and loosen plaque. A Waterpik can then be used to efficiently rinse out residue and plaque left behind.
Does it matter which floss you use? ›
And while studies have shown it doesn't really matter what kind of floss you use (as long as you do it!), people are more likely to use floss that's easy for them to use. We've broken down the different types of floss, so you can decide which is best for you!
Which is more effective waxed or unwaxed dental floss? ›
In terms of plaque removal and gum disease prevention, studies show that both waxed and unwaxed floss exhibit equal effectiveness. Several studies have been conducted on their effectiveness, with some finding unwaxed floss slightly more effective in terms of plaque removal and gingival health.
Which is better water floss or string floss? ›
In water flossing vs floss, there is no clear winner. Using string dental floss and a water flosser together will provide the most thorough cleaning and dental hygiene. Choosing and using a water flosser is an effective part of oral hygiene.
Do dentists recommend water flosser? ›
Thousands of dental professionals recommend the WATERPIK water flosser to their patients, and they see the difference it makes. The Waterpik water flosser should be the standard of care for in-between clean. The clinical science behind the effectiveness of biofilm removal is unrivaled.
