Cleaning between teeth is a necessary component of daily oral hygiene, reaching surfaces a toothbrush cannot access. This interdental cleaning removes plaque and food debris, preventing gum inflammation and tooth decay. The best dental floss depends on the individual, as the most effective product is the one used correctly and consistently every day.
Understanding Traditional Floss Materials
Traditional string floss is categorized by its material composition and the presence or absence of a wax coating. Waxed floss incorporates a thin layer of wax, allowing the strand to glide more easily between tight contact points and resisting shredding. Unwaxed floss consists of multiple nylon filaments twisted together, making it thinner for very narrow gaps, though it is more prone to tearing or fraying against rough tooth surfaces.
Floss material is typically nylon or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Nylon floss, often called multifilament floss, is the more common and affordable option, but its construction from many fine strands makes it susceptible to shredding. PTFE floss, often marketed as “glide” floss, is a single-strand material, known as monofilament, which is highly smooth and shred-resistant.
Dental tape is another form factor, presenting as a wider and flatter ribbon compared to standard string floss. This broader profile offers a larger surface area for cleaning and is generally stronger and less likely to break. Available in both waxed and unwaxed versions, dental tape is a comfortable option for individuals with wider spaces between their teeth.
Selecting Floss for Specific Dental Situations
The best type of floss is determined by the spacing of the teeth and the presence of any dental work.
For Very Tight Teeth
When teeth are tightly packed together, a floss with low friction and high resistance to tearing is necessary to prevent frustration. Monofilament PTFE floss is highly recommended because its smooth, single-strand composition allows it to slide through narrow gaps easily without shredding. Waxed nylon floss can also be effective, as the coating provides lubrication, helping the floss navigate challenging contact points more smoothly than unwaxed varieties.
For Wide Spaces
Individuals with wider gaps between their teeth, or those who have experienced gum recession, benefit from a product that maximizes contact with the tooth surface. Dental tape is a suitable choice due to its broad, flat design, which covers a greater area than thin string floss. Options like expanding floss are designed to spread out during use, further ensuring comprehensive cleaning across the wider interdental area.
When You Have Extensive Dental Work
Cleaning around fixed dental appliances like braces, bridges, and implants requires specialized tools to navigate complex structures. Superfloss is designed for this purpose, featuring a stiffened end that acts as a threader to get under bridges or orthodontic wires, a spongy section for cleaning, and a regular floss segment. Floss threaders, which are small, flexible loops, can also be used to guide regular string floss under bridges or through the space between teeth connected by a bridge.
Specialized Tools and Non-String Alternatives
Beyond string floss, several specialized devices offer effective interdental cleaning, particularly for those who struggle with the dexterity required for traditional methods. Water flossers, or oral irrigators, use a pressurized, pulsating stream of water to remove food particles and rinse away loose plaque from between teeth and below the gumline. While highly effective at reaching difficult areas around braces and implants, they do not always replicate the mechanical scraping action of string floss necessary to remove sticky, stubborn plaque from the tooth surface.
Interdental brushes are small, reusable brushes that resemble tiny pipe cleaners and are designed to clean the entire interdental space. They come in various sizes and are particularly effective for individuals with noticeable gaps between their teeth, as they can scrub the space more thoroughly than a thin strand of floss. Choosing the correct size is important, as the bristles should fit snugly but comfortably between the teeth.
Floss picks are pre-threaded pieces of floss mounted on a small plastic handle, offering a convenient alternative for flossing on the go or reaching back teeth. While they simplify the process and are helpful for those with limited dexterity, they may not offer the same degree of control as traditional string floss. The American Dental Association (ADA) emphasizes that daily cleaning between teeth, regardless of the tool used, is an important practice for maintaining oral health.