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General Dentistry

Dental Floss: Finding What Works for You

September 22, 2022

Oral hygiene has numerous benefits, and it all begins with your daily routine. While we will always recommend brushing your teeth 2-3 times a day, we also recommend flossing at least once a day, too. Your dental care routine is not complete without adding dental floss into the mix. Brushing your teeth removes plaque from the surface of your teeth, but floss can reach the contact points between your teeth where the brush can’t reach. 

With so many products on the market, it can be difficult to determine which dental floss to buy. At the end of the day, the best floss to buy is the one that you will use. We have made a list of a few different types of floss, and we have some tips on how to make flossing work in your busy schedule!

Types of Floss

Wax Floss - Wax floss is very common. Because it has a wax coating, it makes it slippery and easy to get between your teeth. There is non-waxy floss as well, which works just the same. Either way, use about 18”-24” in length so that you are using a clean portion of floss for between each tooth.

Waterpik/Water Flossing - Investing in water flossing is less expensive than you might think. Searching online for a waterpik is simple, and some of them are incredibly affordable. If you have time, try flossing with regular dental floss to loosen buildup, and then finish it off by water flossing to get a deeper clean. Most come with several attachments and multiple settings to help ease you into the pressure. Some come with a tongue scraper attachment, which gets you extra credit points with your dentist!

Floss Picks - Floss picks are potentially the most convenient option. This can be done on the go, and is usually a double-ended tool. On one end, there is typically a toothpick, and the other end has a short piece of floss. While it is preferable to not flossing at all, floss picks are not the most ideal option because you use a dirty piece of floss for most of your mouth. 

Tips to Make Flossing Part of Your Routine

Leave it out - Leaving your dental floss or waterpik where you can see it is a great way to remind yourself to keep up the good habit.

Choose what you like - Choosing a floss that you like can make the process a lot more enjoyable. If you hate your floss, odds are, you won’t use it.

Habit stack - Make flossing part of your routine by adding it onto another habit. When you take your shower in the morning, bring your floss with you! Multi-tasking can help you make a habit of flossing daily.

Set a reminder - Make this an automated part of your day. Set a reminder in your phone once and set it to go off daily. Each day you will wake up to a reminder to prioritize your oral hygiene.

For more advice or tips and tricks, consider talking to your dentist. At Apple Tree Dental, we know how intimidating a visit might seem. At the end of the day, we are here to help you, not scold you. By calling us, you can book an appointment, and we can help you build the ultimate oral hygiene routine for your lifestyle!