What Dental Floss Option is Best

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is not only an important part in having good dental health, but good overall health too. While brushing your teeth alone is a great way to keep your teeth clean, it’s not enough. You should be flossing, too. In this article, we’ll discuss what you need to know about dental floss. 

Flossing is an important step in maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. These days, there are a number of different types of dental floss and ways to use them. Read on to learn which flossing method is best for you (plus how often you should be doing it!)

The Importance of Flossing

Brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental hygiene routine, however, brushing alone isn’t enough to keep your mouth healthy — daily flossing is just as important. 

Using dental floss regularly helps remove plaque and prevents plaque from building up and turning into tartar. Additionally, flossing your teeth can make them brighter by removing plaque and excess food that brushing alone can’t reach in the tight spaces between the teeth. Oral-B further explains that flossing can also help your gums. While brushing your teeth twice a day is a key part in keeping your teeth and gums healthy, only brushing may not protect you from a serious dental health concern — gum disease. 

Flossing to Prevent Gum Disease 

Many people who notice that their gums are sensitive or bleed often choose to not floss in fear of making their gums worse. However, it’s been proven that flossing can improve the health of your gums over time, which could eventually stop the gums from bleeding altogether. 

Flossing daily, combined with brushing twice a day, can help protect your smile against gingivitis. Children should begin flossing once they have two teeth that touch, and then flossing should continue into adulthood.

Your Options 

Today, there are several different tools on the market to help make the act of flossing your teeth easier and more convenient — but which option is best? Here is a list of the most popular options today and which could be best for you: 

Traditional Floss

This is the option you’re probably most familiar with. Using a string of floss held between both of your hands and moving from tooth to tooth. Some people find this method to be too complicated and often forgo flossing altogether. However, while it can seem to be the most complicated option, it’s still an effective way to keep those spots between your teeth clean. If you don’t think this option is for you, don’t worry — there’s plenty of options on the market today. 

Water Flossers 

These electronic devices shoot a thin stream of water between the teeth to remove plaque. Recent studies have shown that water flossers prove to reduce the risk of bleeding gums due to gingivitis. Water flossers are a great option for patients who find maneuvering string floss to be difficult, especially for patients who are currently in braces. Patients with braces can’t floss easily with traditional string, so the water flosser is a great method for these patients to ensure they’re still getting their teeth clean. 

Floss Picks 

A floss pick is a disposable tool with a toothpick at one end and a small section of floss held taut on the other. A study found that floss picks are just as good as regular dental floss at removing plaque. These tools are convenient because you don’t have to wind the string like you do with the traditional method, and you can also carry these around in your purse or car to easily floss when you’re on the go. 

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter which flossing method you choose. As long as you are taking the time to floss your teeth each day, you will help reduce plaque buildup and your risk of developing gingivitis. If you’re not sure which method is best for you, be sure to ask Dr. Kevin Varley or one of our team members at Stonebrook Family Dental at your next appointment. 

Make an Appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental 

Flossing and brushing your teeth are both important steps in keeping your teeth and gums healthy, but so is visiting the dentist. The best way to prevent problems is by caring for your teeth at home and coming in for your regular checkups twice a year. Stop problems before they start by visiting Stonebrook Family Dental for all of your dental health needs. Make an appointment with us today by calling (303)-872-7907.