Types of Dental Floss and How to Choose

If you’ve sat through any dental cleaning, then you know flossing is an integral part of the whole process. This process works to remove unwanted debris from tooth surfaces that cannot be reached by traditional brushing. While you know it’s important, walking into the oral health aisle at your local store can reveal a ton of different options.

Should you get the floss that is ‘super strong’? Should you get the thick floss or the thin one? Is it okay to purchase flavored floss? With so many questions, it can have you in a mental debate with yourself about which floss is right for your teeth. We’re going to clear the confusion and explain the various dental floss types and how to choose the one that is right for your oral health care needs.

Unwaxed Floss

Unwaxed floss is one of the most common types of floss that is used. It’s constructed of a nylon material that is crafted by twisting multiple strands together. Unwaxed floss comes with no artificial flavoring, which means that this type of floss is free from chemicals.

This floss is perfect for those who have small gaps in between their teeth as unwaxed floss is much thinner than other types of dental floss. However, due to the nature of its construction, unwaxed floss is more prone to shredding and breaking than other types of floss.

Waxed Floss

Waxed floss is constructed very similarly to unwaxed floss with the addition of a waxed layer applied to the floss. This waxed layer allows the floss to be stronger so that it doesn’t shred or break on the user. In addition, it allows the floss to glide better between teeth than unwaxed floss.

Due to the added layer of wax to this type of dental floss, it’s thicker than unwaxed floss. This makes it more difficult to get into small gaps. The waxy nature of the floss also makes it harder to grip for the average user.

Dental Tape

Dental tape is somewhat similar to most other types of floss, except it’s a lot thicker. It has a flatter construct that reminds one of regular tape. Dental tape is perfect for people who have bigger gaps that require thicker floss. You’ll find dental tape available in both unwaxed and wax versions.

This type of floss is not ideal for the majority of people. Due to its thicker nature, dental tape can be difficult to get in between crowded teeth.

Polytetrafluorethylene Floss (PTFE)

Polytetrafluorethylene is a material that most of us are familiar with in the form of Gore-Tex fabric. This material is very strong, so you won’t have to worry about it shredding while you’re using it. Its smooth construction makes it great for sliding easily into small gaps between crowded teeth.

While PTFE has some great benefits, it does have one major con. This is that its production requires the use of a known carcinogen, perfluorooctanoic acid. Carcinogens are known to comprise the immune system, so many dentists don’t recommend the extended use of this product.

Super Floss

Super floss is a specialty type of floss that is designed for those with bridges, braces, and wide teeth gaps. It has three main components. These are regular floss, spongy floss, and a stiff end threader. With the threader, the user can easily maneuver the floss under bridges and other dental fixtures for a thorough cleaning.

Due to the construction of super floss, it’s not the best option for those with small teeth gaps. The threader is very unlikely to weave through the gap to be any bit effective at removing loose debris from the teeth.

As you can see, there are many different dental flosses on the market that you can choose from. Understanding the pros and cons of each type can allow you to select the right floss to fit your dental needs.