Just as brushing your teeth twice a day should be a part of your daily dental routine, flossing twice a day is another key step towards optimal dental hygiene. While most people know that they should be flossing, it is common for individuals to be unaware of the different types of floss and how to actually properly floss their teeth for the best results.
The Esteem Dental team is here to provide you with support and guidance when it comes to your dental hygiene and a lifetime of confident smiles. We are dedicated to providing exceptional, compassionate dental and orthodontic services, and we can help our patients understand what floss may be the best fit for them to properly clean between their teeth. Our Lake Nona team, led by Dr. Jordan Jones, is passionate about making your journey towards a healthier smile comfortable and effective.
Are There Different Types of Floss?
Many of our patients may be surprised to learn there are actually various types of dental floss. Each type of dental floss has a different method for how this product will clean between teeth. The different types of floss are as follows:
- Waxed Dental Floss: This is often the most common form of floss that most people think of. This form of floss is made of a thin nylon strand and coated with wax, which helps the strands of the thread stay together without breaking or fraying between your teeth. The wax also helps the floss slide between the teeth more easily.
- Unwaxed Dental Floss: Made up of many fine nylon strands twisted together to make a single strand, unwaxed floss is thinner than waxed, making it easier to clean between tighter spaces in one’s teeth.
- Dental Tape: This flat and wide strand can be either waxed or unwaxed. If you have smaller spaces between your teeth, this thicker floss will be difficult to use.
- Super Floss: While this floss may look similar to regular string floss on both of its ends, it has a thick and fluffy section in the center. The fluffy center consists of nylon or cotton threads with a coat of wax. Super floss makes it easier for patients to floss between bridges, braces, and implants.
- Water Flosser: This is not a traditional string floss and is instead a cleaning device that is used to shoot thin streams of water between the teeth or at the gums. The water streams make it easy to remove plaque and food buildup.
- Polytetrafluorethylene floss (PTFE): This floss does not break easily and can easily clean between small spaces and any areas of the mouth that have had dental work. It should be noted that the material used in making this floss could compromise your immune system and hormone levels.
To ensure you use a floss that will best work for your dental hygiene needs, consult a trusted dentist today.
Get the Clean and Healthy Smile You Deserve With Esteem Dental
Esteem Dental is proud to offer our patients the personalized dental care they need to achieve the bright and healthy smile they want. One important step towards optimal dental hygiene is choosing the right floss for your needs and understanding how to use it. When you meet with our dental team, we can help you decide what floss will work best for your smile.
Our experienced team is dedicated to supporting you through each step of your dental hygiene journey. We provide a personalized care plan that meets your unique dental needs, ensuring a comfortable and practical treatment process. Contact us today at (407) 476-5650 or by completing our contact form.
