What Type of Floss Should You Use?

Most people seem to know how important brushing is when it comes to your oral health, but there are many who think using floss is not as important. That could not be more wrong. Flossing your teeth at least once a day is just as important as brushing twice a day.

Both tasks perform a similar function of removing food particles and plaque from the surface of teeth. Since a toothbrush cannot reach the tight spaces between the teeth, flossing is essential to keep these areas clean and tooth decay-free.

It takes more than just brushing the teeth

Brushing alone only cleans about 60 percent of teeth surfaces. If the tight spaces between the teeth do not receive regular cleaning, the plaque there will eventually eat away at the teeth. This leads to cavities, infections, and gum disease.

The best way to ensure you are getting the most out of your brushing sessions is by using a quality floss that feels comfortable. It is also important that people learn proper flossing techniques since doing it the wrong way can irritate the gums. Here are a few tips that will help someone pick the right type of dental floss.

Picking the right dental floss

It is easy to feel overwhelmed at the oral health section of a local supermarket and realize just how much variety there is. Anyone who is new to flossing will benefit from experimenting with different types of floss until they figure out which one works best for their needs.

Dentists typically recommend unwaxed floss since it does a better job of cleaning the teeth. The waxed variety generally is not as effective since the filaments of the thread are bound together. It is best to try all the different options until finding an effective and preferable choice. Other things to consider when picking the right dental floss include:

Q. Do you have a hard time reaching the back of your mouth?

If someone has trouble cleaning the back teeth when flossing, a floss pick with a long handle is a great way to go. The handle will give the individual improved control of the floss and make it easier to reach the teeth at the back of the mouth.

Q. Does the floss break often while flossing?

If the dental floss someone uses tends to break easily while flossing, consider getting glide floss. This is great for people with teeth that have little space between them and makes flossing difficult.

Q. Does a dental bridge make it harder for you to floss?

Dental prosthetics, like bridges, can make it harder to floss. The best route to go is to invest in a floss threader. People can also clean these prosthetics with a small floss brush. If neither of these work effectively, consider using a water flosser. While a water flosser is not as effective as traditional flossing, it is better than not flossing at all.

Want to learn more about the things to look for when selecting a dental floss? Contact one of our dentists for a consultation today.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Montpelier Family Dentistry, request an appointment in our Laurel dental office here: https://thelaureldentist.com. Or call us at (301) 605-1132.