Plaque – the soft, white substance that sticks to teeth, is the leading cause of tooth decay and gingivitis. Without proper brushing and flossing routines, plaque will build up on the surface and in between the teeth, leading to cavities, tooth loss, and painful abscesses. Fortunately, using a dental floss makes it easy to properly clean between teeth and prevent tooth decay and disease.
First invented in the early 1800s, the original dental floss was a waxen silk thread that is used to dislodge food particles between the teeth. Thankfully, the dental floss is much less primitive nowadays, and there are several different types of effective dental floss products on the market to choose from. If you are unsure of what to get, your local Dallas dentist can be of help.
Waxed Floss
Waxed floss is coated in PTFE, a synthetic fluoropolymer, and it doesn’t fray. This traditional string floss comes in a little plastic container and can be cut at various lengths.
Unwaxed Floss
Packaged the same as waxed floss, unwaxed floss will squeak against the teeth, giving an indication that all the plaque has been removed.
Dental Tape
A dental tape is wider and flatter than waxed and unwaxed floss. This type of floss is good for cleaning larger tooth surface areas.
Tufted or Braided Floss
This type of floss looks like yarn and is used to clean partial dentures.
Floss Holder
This is a ‘y’ or ‘f’ shaped device with a string of waxed or unwaxed floss in the middle. This type of dental tool is beneficial for people who lack the dexterity of using traditional, loose-string floss. The holder can be used several times, but the floss must always be changed between uses.
Floss Threader
Floss threaders look like needles with large eyes for threading waxed or unwaxed floss. Floss threaders are beneficial for people with dental implants and fixed bridges. The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once per day.
Skipping on this important dental care routine is one of the worst things you can do for your teeth. Your local Dallas dentist at Dallas Dental Wellness can help you choose the right type of floss and show you how to use it the correct way to prevent tooth decay and disease.
Sources:
https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/floss
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2016/11/dont-toss-floss
