What Kinds Of Dental Floss Should You Use?

To promote a healthy set of teeth and gums, you will need to floss at least once daily. Flossing will help dislodge food particles between the teeth and along your gum line, where a toothbrush and its bristles cannot reach. Flossing each day will prevent plaque and bacteria from building up, which will lead to tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis, also known as gum disease. Not only does flossing promote a much healthier mouth overall, but it also leaders to fresher and less odorous breath.

However, flossing is one of the most overlooked parts of daily oral health care for many people. Due to this, patients are at risk for infections that lead to gingivitis and other mouth problems. To make the most of your flossing habits, you don’t just need to use the right floss, but also practice the best way to floss.

The first step to practice the best flossing for you is to choose a type of floss that you feel will be most effective or you will be most comfortable with. These types of floss are as follows:

Conventional String Floss

String floss is available in rolls, either in waxed or unwaxed versions. This is the most popular type of floss among consumers. Waxed floss slides in between teeth more easily, but unwaxed floss is easier to grip. Unwaxed floss, however, has a chance of fraying.

Dental Tape

Dental tape comes in rolls, just like string floss, but it can easily remove food particles between small spaces. This is a good option for patients who have plenty of crowded teeth or wear dental appliances such as bridges or braces.

Floss Picks

These devices consist of a small bit of floss attached to a plastic fork. This allows you to floss your teeth without needing to wrap the floss around your fingers. While it is easier and more convenient than traditional floss, they may not be as effective, since they cannot reach the most important angles around your teeth. Floss picks are great, however, for traveling, or if you suffer from dexterity problems.

Floss Threaders

These devices are needle-like tools, similar to floss picks, but allow you to move floss between tight areas between your teeth. This kind of floss is necessary if you wear permanent retainers or braces, so you can work the floss through your teeth more easily.

How To Floss For Healthy Gums

To maintain a healthy mouth and gums when flossing, you will need to make a habit of flossing at least once a day. Here is how to floss with string floss according to your dentist in Kitchener:

First, break off 18 inches of floss. Wrap the floss around both your index or middle fingers. Hold the floss to form the letter C around the tooth. Work the floss between the curves of each of your teeth and against the sides of each tooth so that you can remove bacteria and food particles easily. Move the floss beneath the gum lines up and down in a sawing motion. Repeat the process for each tooth and make sure to use a fresh section of floss for each.

And that is how you floss with conventional string floss. You can also consider other types of floss, so long as you can practice how to floss effectively for once a day.