Floss: it seems pretty straightforward, but it may be more complicated than you think. While flossing can feel inconvenient, it’s one of the best ways to remove plaque between and around the teeth. Unfortunately, something as simple as using the wrong type of floss can reduce the impacts of flossing dramatically.
In this article, we’re going to discuss how to choose the best floss, and what to do with it once you purchase it. Let’s get started.
5 Tips for Choosing the Right Floss for Your Teeth
The best flossing starts with great floss. Here are five tips for finding the right option for you:
1. Mind the Gaps
All of us have gaps in our teeth, but not all those gaps are created equal. For your floss to work as well as possible, it has to fit the gaps in your teeth well. If you have narrow gaps in your teeth, standard floss will work just fine. Larger gaps, though, may require super floss or dental tape.
2. Consider Your Preferences
Some people think flossing is gross, and we don’t blame them. If you want to reduce the mess, look for floss that comes in pre-measured strands, or disposable flosser varieties.
3. Make Changes According to Dental Work
If you have braces, bridges, dental implants, or other extensive dental work, you’ll want to adjust your choice of floss accordingly. A spongy floss is a great option, although you can use any floss variety with the help of a floss threader.
4. Get ADA-approved Floss
If you want to make sure your floss is as effective as possible, look for ADA varieties of floss. ADA-approved floss has gotten the seal of quality from the American Dental Association and has been deemed to protect oral health and ethical practice more effectively than other varieties.
5. Be Mindful of Ingredients
Some dental floss includes harmful or toxic ingredients. To protect your mouth, be mindful of the ingredient label, and avoid varieties with high levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (also known as PFAS).
Improve Your Flossing technique
Now that you’ve chosen the right floss using it correctly is the last step. For best results, start with about 18 inches of floss (or your disposable flosser or pre-measured strip). Hold it tightly in your fingers and slide the length of floss up and down between the teeth. Curve the floss gently around the edge of the teeth and move upward gently. Use clean sections of floss for each tooth.
If you have any questions about how to choose floss or flossing to improve the health of your teeth, visit Orange Beach Family Dentistry today. Your source for dental health for the whole family, we’re always here for you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you improve and protect your dental health.