Let's Talk About Floss

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If you’ve visited the dental care aisle recently, the number of options available can be overwhelming. And because there are so many options available, it's hard to know which option is best.

In essence, all of the options on the market today do the same thing, and at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference. We’ve listed a few of the options below. 

• Flossers: Flossers are small plastic instruments with a single floss strip and a pick on the opposite end. This option can be both effective at cleaning the areas in between your teeth and scraping off plaque. These flossers come in flavored varieties as well. They are a great “on the go” option. 
• Gentle Dental Floss: Some people will find that regular dental floss is too harsh on their gums. For that reason, several options are available that have soft coatings that are less abrasive on the gums. Typically, gentle floss is just as effective as regular floss and an ideal match for anyone looking for a more sensitive approach to flossing. 
• Flavored Dental Floss: Flavored dental floss will freshen your breath while you floss! We suggest flavored dental floss if it prompts you to floss your teeth regularly.  
• Water Flossing: A water flosser, sometimes called a water pick, is a cleaning device that shoots a thin stream of water, and when aimed between your teeth or at the gumline it can remove food particles and plaque on or between your teeth.

Of all of the options, it is difficult to choose the absolute best type of floss. However, Dr. Spannhake and her team feel that the type of floss that gives you the greatest chance of succeeding at regular flossing is the ultimately best choice. 

For more information on floss, or flossing with braces, ask us at your next appointment. There are many ways to make flossing both easy AND effective.