What Are the Different Types of Dental Floss

Flossing is essential when it comes to maintaining proper oral hygiene. When you floss your teeth, you'll remove food and plaque between your teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach.

Choosing the right type of dental floss to use can be an overwhelming process due to the plethora of options available. This article highlights five different types of dental floss available in the market today.

1. Unwaxed

Unwaxed dental floss is the most popular dental floss, which comprises several nylon strands twisted together. The main reason people like this dental floss is because it doesn't contain artificial flavors, meaning unwaxed dental floss doesn't contain any chemicals. Moreover, this dental floss absorbs food particles and plaque better.

If you have tiny teeth spaces, you may want to use unwaxed dental floss since it’s thinner compared to other types. However, if the spaces between your teeth are too tiny, the floss may break or shred. People with chipped or decaying teeth also find it difficult to finish flossing their teeth with unwaxed dental floss since it easily breaks in the process. 

2. Waxed

Waxed dental floss is made just like the unwaxed type. The only difference between the two dental flosses is that the waxed type has a thin wax coating. This wax layer makes the dental floss stronger, preventing it from easily breaking or shredding when you floss your teeth. Additionally, the wax makes the dental floss glide easily between your teeth.

Nevertheless, the wax coating can make the dental floss a bit thicker, meaning people with little space between their teeth may have trouble using it. The wax also may make it difficult to get a good grip on the dental floss.

3. Super Floss

Super floss is dental floss made from yarn-like material. Often, the super dental floss comes already cut into sections, eliminating the need to measure and cut before using the floss.

This dental floss type is unique compared to the others because it has three main components, including:

• Spongy floss
• Regular floss
• Stiff-end threader

The stiff end section allows you to “thread” it under dental brace wires, bridges, or other dental prosthetics that do not have spaces between them like natural teeth. The yarn part can be used to clean the underside of bridges that connect 2 or more teeth and the regular floss part can clean the sides of the natural teeth or implants .

4. Dental Tape

Dental tape has a flat surface compared to regular dental floss. This type of dental floss is suitable for people with wide teeth spaces since it allows you to clean both sides of your tooth without too much struggle. Your kids can also use this type of dental floss to clean in between their teeth due to the nature of the strands.

The best thing about dental tape is that it has both waxed and unwaxed versions, allowing you to choose the type that suits your needs. Also, dental tapes don't break easily.

5. PTFE Floss

PTFE (Polytetrafluorethylene) floss, also known as silk floss, is dental floss whose strands are made of material similar to the one used to make high-tech Gore-Tex fabric.

This material is quite strong compared to the other materials used to make various dental flosses. Therefore, when flossing your teeth, shredding or breaking will not be an issue. The material also slides easily between your teeth, making cleaning easy, especially if you have crowded teeth.

Although PTFE Floss offers several advantages, it also has its downsides. One of the main disadvantages is that it contains carcinogen perfluorooctanoic acid. This substance can compromise your immune system if you use it for a long time. Moreover, PTFE Flosses are quite expensive compared to other types of dental floss.

Another option to clean between the teeth is a Water Pick or water flosser. Many people do not floss even though they know they should and this offers an easier, faster and effective alternative.

Your oral hygiene is an important part of your overall well-being. One of the best ways to maintain good oral hygiene is to floss your teeth regularly. However, to floss your teeth properly, you have to choose the right type of dental floss for your needs. To learn what type of dental floss will best suit you, consult your dentist. If you're looking for a reliable dentist, contact Rabel Family Dentistry.