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Guide To Flossing: Flossing Materials

Man flossing his teeth

There are tons of options when it comes to toothpaste, mouthwash, teeth whiteners, and more when it comes to dental care. When it comes to flossing options, it is no different.

There are quite a few different varieties of floss, as well as different ways in which you can use these different types of floss and different ways in which they are packaged.

If you are looking for the best type of floss to suit your needs, read below to find out what type of flossing material will work best for you!

Non-String Options

Not everyone can properly floss, because of a wide range of reasons.

For young children, they might lack the finesse to accurately control floss, and because they might not use correct technique, can actually end up not benefiting very much. Small children can hurt their gums, or only focus on several teeth instead of flossing all their teeth correctly.

Older adults on the other hand, might also lack fine motor control, or because of arthritis be unable to properly handle floss.

For either of these cases, it might be worth looking into non-manual flossing options, or non-string floss. The most popular of these options is a water flosser called a “waterpik.” This is also sometimes known as a dental water jet. These use a pressurized water stream to attempt to clear away bacteria and food particles from between the teeth.

String Options

There are several different types of materials used for floss, as well as different ways in which you can use these different materials.

PTFE Floss

PTFE floss is made of a hard, synthetic material. Generally slightly more expensive, it is far more durable and will last longer than other types of floss. PTFE floss is made for sliding between teeth without shredding, and generally comes in string varieties. Bridge and brace floss is mainly made of similar synthetic yarn that is far more durable than traditional floss, but is strong enough to not be shredded by braces or dental bridges.

Unwaxed Floss

Unwaxed floss is the original kind of floss, created by wrapping string together, used mainly in string floss, and is the most prone to breaking, but also tends to be the most affordable. Unwaxed floss is generally not a good idea for anyone with bridges or braces as it can split and get small pieces caught in these dental aids.

Waxed Floss

Waxed floss is made of the same wound material as unwaxed floss, but has a wax coating over the top of it. This wax coating makes it more likely to not break when put under stress, but is also not necessarily going to be strong enough to be used by people who wear braces. The wax also thickens it, making it potentially harder to get to hard to reach areas.

Dental Tape

Another type of floss is dental tape, which is wider than string floss, and is made of different materials. This tape floss is often easier to use however, even if it offers less fine motor control over it, and it is also harder to fit into tight spaces. This is the wide floss that is often found in rolls, and if it works for your teeth, can be a great option.

Still looking for the perfect flossing solution for your dental hygiene? Contact the office of Larry D. Molenda, D.D.S., a local San Marcos dentist, to get dental advice or to schedule an appointment. 

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