The Best Dental Floss Types For You
Earlier, we talked about how to floss your teeth. Now we will get into the nitty-gritty about choosing the best dental floss types. Not all mouths are the same and what works for some people 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 guide is for you.
Waxed Dental Floss
Coming out of the gate strong, waxed floss is the boss with effortless gliding between evenly spaced teeth. Many consider waxed floss the best dental floss for everyday use. The wax also strengthens the floss and prevents the floss from fraying too 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. Unwaxed dental floss is 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 the floss gore-tex? Well, kinda. PTFE Floss is made with polytetrafluorethylene, a material used to make gore-tex fabric. PTFE floss is 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 a dental 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. Some dentists consider water flossers the best dental floss alternative available today.
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 is more 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. Floss picks are 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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