Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-08-01
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
“Doctor, I brush my teeth diligently every morning and night, so why do I still have bad breath and bleeding gums?” Did you know brushing alone removes only about 65% of plaque? That’s where handy tools like dental floss, interdental brushes, and water flossers come in to tackle the rest. With tons of floss options on the market, not sure which suits you best? Dive into our guide on various interdental cleaners and usage tips to find your perfect match!
Understanding Types of Dental Floss
Nylon Floss
Made up of several thin nylon threads, it comes in waxed and unwaxed versions . Waxed floss glides more smoothly into the gaps between teeth. If your tooth gaps are larger and you want the floss to pass through contact points effortlessly, opt for unwaxed floss.
Additionally, nylon floss can be flavored with special tastes like mint or fruit. While the flavor doesn’t enhance cleaning effectiveness, choosing one you like can reinforce the habit of daily flossing, leaving your mouth feeling fresher afterward.
Wide Flat Floss (Teflon Floss)
This type has a larger contact surface with the teeth, and its flat design makes it easy to insert into tooth gaps, ideal for smaller spaces.
Expandable Floss
Suitable for people with wider gaps between teeth. When expandable floss comes into contact with saliva, it quickly expands into a sponge-like form, effectively cleaning the gaps without harming the gums.
Super Floss
This type is ideal for those with dental bridges and fixed orthodontic appliances . It consists of 3 parts:
- The first part is stiffer, allowing the super floss to easily thread between teeth and fixed braces or under dental bridges.
- The second part is sponge-like, which cleans teeth with braces, wider gaps, or under bridges.
- The third part is regular floss for cleaning between teeth.
As for how to choose the right floss , besides considering the user’s tooth gap size and dental alignment (i.e., tooth development and arrangement), personal habits play a role too. Actually, proper technique and frequency of use are more important than the type you pick.
Indeed, there have been rare cases of allergies to waxed or coated floss in the past. If you’re worried about selecting dental care products, consider big brands or refer to the American Dental Association’s ADA Seal of Acceptance .
Dental Floss vs Floss Picks vs Interdental Brushes: Which is Best?
Dental Floss vs Floss Picks
Compared to dental floss, floss picks are less effective and not favored by dental professionals. That’s because the floss on picks is straight and doesn’t wrap around the entire side of the tooth, covering a smaller cleaning area.
Plus, the floss on picks is short, so you need to switch them multiple times to clean all your teeth, and the pulling can easily hurt your gums. On the flip side, dental floss is soft and can hug the tooth’s side, offering a larger cleaning surface.
Of course, if it’s tricky to use floss with both hands or reach the back teeth, floss picks can be a handy alternative.
We can categorize floss picks into 2 types based on shape:
- F-shaped tip: The floss is on a side opening, parallel to the handle, great for back teeth but requires pulling the cheek aside
- Y-shaped tip: The floss is on a top opening, perpendicular to the handle, making it easier to reach and clean back teeth
Dental Floss vs Interdental Brushes
As for interdental brushes, they can’t replace dental floss , since they target different areas and serve different purposes.
Dental floss clears the surfaces between teeth where they touch, which interdental brushes can’t access. So, for kids, teens, and those without periodontal disease , I’d recommend sticking with floss.
Interdental brushes are mainly for cleaning larger gaps between teeth, like the triangular spaces below the contact points after gum recession—especially for periodontal disease patients. In those cases, I’d suggest using interdental brushes as the main tool, with floss as a backup.
Also, if you have dental implants, go for interdental brushes. Implants usually have a narrower neck than natural teeth. Opt for ones with a coated plastic core wire to avoid scratching the implant and causing plaque buildup.
Dental implants generally have a narrower neck than natural teeth
Coated interdental brushes (those with a plastic coating)
Can toothpicks replace dental floss?
Nope! Many folks have the habit of picking their teeth with toothpicks after meals, but they overlook the risks of misuse. Not only do they fail to fully clear debris from gaps, but sharp bamboo picks can easily damage gum tissue, leading to inflammation.
Gums might even recede, widening the gaps over time, and in severe cases, it could lead to periodontal disease. So, toothpicks are at best an emergency fix—they can’t truly clean your mouth effectively.
How to Choose the Right Dental Floss (or Interdental Brush and Floss Stick)?
If you’re new to flossing, we recommend starting with waxed floss , as its smooth surface makes it easier to slide between teeth. If you have dental bridges or braces, consider using an interdental brush instead.
As for selecting the right size of interdental brush, you should feel some resistance when passing it through the gap. If it feels too loose, it means the bristles aren’t properly rubbing against both sides of the teeth. So, start with the smallest size.
If it feels loose, switch to a larger size. Interdental brushes come in various sizes, brands, designs, and bristle firmness levels – it’s best to discuss with your dentist to find the most suitable one for you before using it.
Frequency and Sequence of Using Dental Floss
When should you use it? Every night or after meals?
The American Dental Association recommends flossing once a day. Actually, as long as you master the correct technique, using floss more than once a day won’t damage your gums.
Is there a specific order for oral cleaning?
There’s no strict sequence. Generally, it’s suggested to brush your teeth first, then floss, because flossing will reveal any plaque that brushing missed.
How to Use Dental Floss
- Take about 18 inches of floss, wrap about 1/3 inch around one index finger, and the same on the other index finger.
- Grip and tighten the floss using your thumbs and index fingers.
- Gently slide the floss between your teeth, starting from the back molars and working forward.
- At the gum line, curve the floss into a “C” shape against one tooth and slide it up and down in a pushing-pulling motion.
- Then, use a fresh section of floss and repeat the steps on the adjacent tooth.
- Proceed to clean between the next two teeth.
- Discard the floss after use. Don’t reuse it, as it won’t be effective the second time and may carry plaque.
Often forget to floss after brushing?
Try a few tricks to remind yourself. For example, keep the floss next to your toothbrush so you’ll remember when brushing. Or carry it with you for convenient use anytime.
Common Flossing Challenges and Dentist Tips!
- Floss is Hard to Control
Start by practicing in front of a mirror on your front teeth. Once you’ve got the hang of it, move to the back teeth. With more practice, it’ll become second nature. - Bleeding After Flossing
When you first start flossing, your gums might bleed a bit. Don’t worry too much—it’s normal for slight bleeding when removing surface plaque, and it should improve in a few days. Of course, if it persists, it could be due to improper use causing gum damage, so consult a dentist for a check-up. - Hard to Slide into Gaps
Try waxed floss. Its smooth surface makes it easier to slip through tight spaces between teeth.
Dentists’ Views on Water Flossers
How Water Flossers Work
Water flossers, also known as oral irrigators, are handy tools for cleaning your mouth and teeth. Just like a high-pressure water gun cleans objects, water flossers use a similar principle: pressurized water flow combined with specific vibration frequencies to clean your teeth.
Differences from Traditional Floss
Water flossers differ from traditional dental floss.
While both clean the mouth, they target different areas. Water flossers are great for flushing out food debris from spots between teeth and gums that toothbrushes can’t reach easily.
Do Water Flossers Prevent Gum Disease?
According to Cochrane’s 2019 Annual Review on home oral cleaning devices, there’s currently limited evidence supporting that water flossers can prevent gum disease or tooth decay.
Can Water Flossers Remove Tartar?
No, they can’t. Only a dentist can remove tartar using ultrasonic tools!
Common Questions About Flossing
1. Will Flossing Make Gaps Between Teeth Bigger?
Many people worry that flossing will widen the gaps between teeth. The answer is no, it won’t!
In fact, healthy teeth naturally shift slightly every day, and floss is super thin. Standard floss is much thinner than the narrowest tooth gaps, so it doesn’t enlarge them. Of course, you might feel a bit of separation at first, which is normal.
2. Why Does Floss Break?
Floss breaking is a warning sign of potential oral issues. For example, cavities , tartar, or poorly done fillings (uneven tooth surfaces) can cause it. You should see a dentist for a check-up.
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