Figuring Out Flossing: 3 Different Flossing Options for People Who Don’t Like String Floss

Flossing is an important part of taking good care of your teeth. Toothbrushes are great, important even, but they aren’t able to get to every surface of your tooth. That’s where flossing comes in. Floss gets to those hard-to-reach spots that toothbrushes miss. That doesn’t mean that it’s easy to do though, especially if you don’t like string floss. Fortunately, there are some alternatives that work pretty well.

String floss can be difficult for some people to use, especially when it comes to getting to those teeth in the back of your mouth. If that sounds familiar, try using a floss pick. A floss pick is a device that has a D-shaped head with a string of floss stretched between the arms. The end is a bit like a toothpick and can be used to get rid of larger particles of food that may have gotten lodged between the teeth. Its design makes it easier to floss between all your teeth without having to worry about getting your fingers back there. You only need one hand to use it too.

For those with braces, flossing can be especially tricky. Water flossing can be a good alternative to regular floss in this case, especially since you have all those extra places for food to get stuck thanks to the braces. Water flossers shoot a steady stream of water that you can aim around your mouth and between your teeth to get rid of plaque. Just make sure you choose one that has the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance.

Sometimes the problem with string floss is how thin it is. In that case, tape floss may be the perfect solution. Tape floss has a wide, thin surface that resembles tape (without the stickiness), which may be easier to handle than the string-like resemblance of more traditional floss. Made of waxed nylon or polythene fiber, it passes easily between the teeth and under the gums without snapping or pinching them. It works and is used the same way that string floss is.

Whether you use string floss, a floss pick, a water flosser, or tape floss doesn’t really matter so much. What does matter is that you take the time to floss a minimum of once a day. That, in conjunction with brushing twice a day, will help you clean every part of your teeth and protect them from plaque-forming bacteria that lead to tooth decay.

Questions or concerns about how to care for your teeth? Contact us today to start getting answers.

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