Let’s be honest. Flossing is one of those good dental habits that’s too easy to skip. We all know that our toothbrush does a great job of cleaning the front, back, and chewing surfaces of our teeth, but the tight spaces between teeth — that’s where floss becomes essential!
When we don’t floss regularly, plaque builds up between teeth, especially behind the back molars. Over time, that buildup hardens into tartar, leading to irritated gums, cavities, decay, possibly missing teeth, and lingering bad breath. Who wants to deal with all that?
The good news is if flossing feels uncomfortable or frustrating to you, the issue may not be the habit, but the type of floss you’re using. There is a floss and flossing technique for everyone! So, let’s talk about the different types of floss!
Different Types of Floss
There are so many different types of floss on the market because we have unique mouths, with different tooth spacing, gum sensitivity, and dental work. Personal preference also plays a part. To help you find the floss that works best for you, here is a brief explanation of the most common floss options and who tends to choose each.
Waxed Floss
Waxed floss is coated to glide smoothly between teeth, making it easier to use in tight or crowded areas without fraying. This is the floss for people with little gap between the teeth.
Unwaxed Floss
If you have particularly tight spaces where your crowns meet, but more space between the teeth, unwaxed floss might work well for you. It’s thinner than waxed floss, so it may more easily make it past the crowns. It has a slightly firmer texture, but it wears down faster than waxed options.
Dental Tape
Dental tape is wider and flatter than traditional floss. It covers more surface area and often feels gentler on the gums, making it a good choice for people with wider spaces between teeth or those with more sensitive gums.
Woven Floss
Woven floss has a soft, textured feel — almost like yarn. It expands slightly as you use it, allowing it to clean larger spaces very effectively. While it may not work well in extremely tight areas, many patients find it provides excellent plaque removal. It is the floss of choice for people with large gaps between their teeth.
Super Floss
Super floss is designed for people with braces, bridges, or other dental appliances. It includes a stiff end for threading, a spongy section for cleaning around hardware, and traditional floss for finishing.
Floss Picks
Floss picks combine floss with a small handle, making them quick and easy to use. They are great for children, those who travel a lot, and anyone who struggles with using traditional floss. Just don’t throw them on the ground after you use them! It gives people who use floss picks a bad reputation.
Interdental Brushes
These small brushes or rubber-tipped picks work well for cleaning larger spaces between teeth and around braces. They are not meant to replace floss, because they cannot clean between the crowns unless the teeth have a lot of space between them, nor can they clean behind the last molars. Nevertheless, interdental brushes are great to use after meals before rinsing your mouth. Some people even use them along with flossing to get the “best of both worlds.”
Water Flossers
Water flossers use a steady stream of water to clean along the gumline and between teeth. They’re excellent for people with braces, implants, or sensitive gums. They are a helpful addition to a good oral hygiene routine but using a traditional string floss is still recommended.
Make Flossing a Daily Habit
Flossing only takes a few minutes, but it plays a huge part in keeping your teeth and gums healthy and your smile strong. Be sure to make flossing a daily habit! If you don’t know what type of floss is best for your teeth, or if you’d like help improving your flossing technique, the professional team at Paramount Dental in Roseville is happy to help. Contact our office today to schedule your next visit, and if you are experiencing a dental emergency, we can help with that, too. We are available 24/7 to support your long-term dental health!
