What is the Best Kind of Floss to Use?

Flossing is important. Not only does it help to keep your teeth clean and cavity free, it can also help to keep your gums healthy and disease free, too. There are a lot of flossing options available, so what is the best kind of floss to use? Let’s talk about the pros and cons of each to provide you with the info you need so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

Waxed or Unwaxed

When choosing between different types of dental floss, one of the first options to decide on is whether to use waxed or unwaxed floss. Some people opt for unwaxed floss because they are wanting something more natural, but waxed floss has some desirable advantages, too. When floss is coated in wax it is less likely to shred during use which can result in pieces of it getting stuck between your teeth or on the edges of braces, bridges or other dental appliances. If you still want something natural, though, look for a floss coated with beeswax as an alternative option.

Gentle or Expanding

If you’re new to flossing or suffer from a health condition, your gums may be prone to bleed or feel tender when you floss. Gentle or expanding floss is the best kind of floss to use in the beginning or with sensitive gums. This kind of floss is made out of a soft spongy material that expands and stretches with use to make it gentler on your gums, as the name suggests. The added thickness can also help in areas with large gaps between your teeth or for cleaning under braces.

Dental Picks

Dental picks and floss picks are often considered floss alternatives. They may have a short strand of floss or rubber pick at one end of a small plastic stick. They are a great option for after lunch or snacking when it may be difficult to pull out a full strand of floss and get to work, but they can’t always reach all the areas that traditional floss can, so proper flossing daily with regular floss is still important.

Waterpik

Waterpik flossers use a pressurized stream of water to clean between your teeth and along your gum line. Your dental hygienist may use a similar tool during a professional dental cleaning. Waterpiks can be an excellent investment when used as recommended because they can reach difficult to floss areas such as behind your back molars or around dental appliances like braces or bridges. If you’re considering trying a waterpik flosser, talk to your dentist for tips on how to use it to get the most out of its capabilities.

Consult with Your Dentist

It’s always a great idea to ask your dentist about the different floss options available because your dentist has better insight than anyone else into the best kind of floss to use for your specific dental care needs as well as the latest tools on the market. Share with your dentist what’s difficult and not so fun about flossing so that they can help guide you to the tools that will make your flossing routine easier, more comfortable and more effective.

Call our Maricopa Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.