Choosing the Best Dental Floss for You

We all aim to practise good dental hygiene in order to maintain the health and appearance of our teeth. Part of the fight against dental decay is a good twice-daily dental routine to keep bacteria at bay. One essential dental routine is dental floss, which can be used to remove even the tiniest bits of bacterial debris.

Don’t Fear the Floss

In the UK, the older you are, the more likely you are to floss. Research by Statista found that just 18% of 18-to-24-year-olds flossed, compared with 37% of people aged 55 and over. It is thought that the number of flossers is low because many consider it uncomfortable, but it needn’t be. There are several different flossing options available, and if you find blood when flossing or experience discomfort, it’s most likely because you haven’t found the right floss yet.

Dental flossing is essential for all, particularly those with crowns and bridges, as its fine filament can easily remove debris that builds up around these teeth restorations.

The Different Types of Flosses

If you’re considering flossing, it’s a good idea to speak to one of our hygienists to explain the options available to you. There are two main floss types that may be suggested by our hygienist team: waxed floss and unwaxed floss. Unwaxed floss is made from a very thin nylon which is twisted together. It is particularly useful for those with teeth that are situated very close together. This type of floss can shed and break during use, so an extra gentle touch is required to use it.

Waxed floss is similar in essence to unwaxed, but has a thin wax coating to protect the thread from breaking. The floss is smoother against the skin, but this, in turn, makes it more difficult to fit into tighter gaps. It is less suitable for dental crowns and bridges.

Other types of flosses exist, but above are the two most common. You may find Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) floss on your supermarket shelves, which slides easily between the teeth. It is unlikely to shed.

You may also opt for dental tape if you have large gaps between the teeth. The benefit of using dental tape over floss is that it is often more comfortable if you have large teeth gaps, as it is flat and larger. Lastly, super flosses exist which have stiffer sections that are particularly useful when cleaning around dental crowns and bridges.

How to Floss Properly

Hold a couple of inches of floss between your thumb and index fingers and gently slide the floss in a back and forth motion between your first tooth, curving the floss around the tooth base.

Once you’ve flossed one tooth, move the floss back and forth and towards yourself until you’ve removed the floss from your mouth. Unwind another inch or so of floss from its dispenser and use this to floss the next tooth. Repeat until all teeth are flossed. Do not use the same piece of floss for more than one tooth.

If you are interested in discussing any aspect of dental hygiene, please contact our friendly team on 01730 266350 today.