5 Great Alternatives to Traditional Floss
Flossing is a crucial part of your overall dental care. It removes bacteria that forms between the teeth, helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. However, despite the clear advantages of daily flossing, many people avoid it. A recent study reports that 32 percent of the population never even flosses at all!
If you are averse to the traditional string floss, there are many options available and some even make the experience fun! Try one (or a few) and see what you think.
Tape Floss
Not all floss is created equal. While string floss is thin, tape floss has a wider surface area. That makes it sturdier, more efficient, and more comfortable to wrap around your fingers.
Floss Picks
If long strands of floss wrapped around your fingers make you shudder, floss picks are a great alternative. These single-use picks slide between teeth to clear away bacteria. Floss picks are perfect to store in the car or in your purse for when you need to floss on-the-go.
Interdental Brushers
For those with sensitive gums, interdental brushes provide a softer way to remove food and other particles from between teeth. Interdental brushers have a flexible bristle tip that massages the gums, making it less painful that traditional floss. They are also a great option for on-the-go flossing.
Water Flossers
Water flossers remove plaque by spraying water in between the teeth. This forces out food and bacteria that may get stuck between teeth, similar to string floss. Water flossers typically clean the entire mouth in just about a minute and allow you to keep your fingers out of your mouth while flossing.
Air Flossers
Similar to water flossers, air flossers shoot a burst of air and water droplets between teeth to remove plaque build-up. Since air flossers only use a small amount of water, you won’t have to replace the water as frequently. They also take up less counter space than water flossers.
Flossing is just one aspect of caring for your teeth! Schedule an appointment today for a complete dental check-up. During the check-up, we are happy to discuss the various flossing options. Call us today at 757-609-3510 or request an appointment online.
