The honest truth is that it doesn’t really matter which type of dental floss you use. This is because all dental floss tools are designed to remove food and plaque from between the teeth. There are three main types of dental floss tool.
Conventional dental floss – this is the string of floss which you wrap around the fingers and place in between the teeth.
Dental flosser – this is a tiny plastic stick which features a small piece of straight dental floss on its end which can be pushed between the teeth.
Dental floss threader – this is a thin plastic needle type of dental flossing tool which allows you to tie a string of floss on the end to let you thread the floss between your teeth. This is a required dental flossing tool for people with a dental bridge.
Water irrigation device – while these are not as effective as regular dental flossing, this tool aims a pressured stream of water at the teeth to remove anything between or on the teeth.
Types Of Dental Floss
While dental floss is the most common dental flossing tool available, there are many different types of dental floss.
String floss – this is the plain type of dental floss which most people use
Wax floss – this type of floss is used when the plain type gets stuck in teeth
Ribbon floss – this is a very well waxed floss which is a thin wide floss which fits into tight spaces between teeth best.
Expanding floss – this floss expands when saliva hits it. This puffs out the floss to fit within the spaces between teeth. This is the most effective floss for people with gaps, sensitive teeth or gums.
Thin floss – this floss is super thin and is usually a last resort for anyone who can not use floss in any other way.
Proper Flossing
Even with the use of any one of the available dental flossing tools, if the method of flossing is inadequate, the tool will be ineffective. Here are the simple steps to proper flossing.
Use a section of floss between 18 – 24 inches long. Wind most of the floss around one of the middle fingers.
Wrap the remaining floss around the same finger on the opposite hand. This will be the “take up” as the floss is used.
You will need about an inch of floss between the fingers while tightly holding the floss in either hand.
With the floss at the gumline, curve the floss into a “C” around a tooth, then gently slide the floss into the space between the gum and tooth.
Holding the floss tight against the tooth, gently move the floss side to side along the tooth moving the floss away from the gums.
Repeat the process for each tooth.
Proper flossing with a chosen dental flossing tool will help keep healthy strong teeth and protect the enamel of the teeth. This in turn will prevent the need for cosmetic dental care.
