Many people dread the idea of flossing, but fortunately, there’s a bevy of innovations and other flossing alternatives that you can try out.
Flossing your teeth regularly is crucial to oral health, as it helps combat plaque. As a result, you can avoid experiencing cavities, gum disease, and other oral concerns. However, while traditional flossing remains a popular choice, technological advancements have introduced a range of flossing alternatives that offer improved oral care.
In this article, we explore these solutions by highlighting:
- The importance of flossing;
- The top four flossing alternatives to consider.
Why Is It Important to Floss?
Anytime you eat, you leave tiny pieces of food particles lodged everywhere in your mouth. Although brushing your mouth regularly helps, it only takes out a portion of the food particles.
This is because there are places that are hard to reach for your toothbrush, such as the tight spaces between your teeth. This is where flossing comes in.
Flossing is the act of cleaning between the teeth and along the gum line using a thin thread of dental floss. This practice plays a significant role in your oral health by:
Removing plaque and tartar
Dental floss is designed to reach areas your toothbrush may not easily access. This includes the tight spaces between your teeth and also beneath the gum line.
Flossing helps in removing plaque and bacteria from such areas, preventing them from forming tartar, which is a gateway for tooth decay.
Preventing gum disease
Besides getting stuck between your teeth, food particles can get trapped beneath your gums and along the gumline. Plaque and bacteria buildup in these areas is a leading cause of gum disease.
By flossing regularly, you remove these harmful substances, reducing the risk of developing gingivitis and periodontitis.
Protection against cavities
Plaque, a sticky film containing bacteria that attaches to your teeth, produces acids that can attack the tooth enamel. In turn, this leads to tooth cavities. Incorporating flossing into your oral hygiene regimen enhances your cavity prevention and maintains a healthy smile.
Fresh breath
Besides eating up on your teeth and causing issues in your gums, trapped food particles between teeth can contribute to bad breath. The presence of bacteria and decaying food particles produce a foul odor.
However, by flossing regularly and effectively, you dislodge these food particles to maintain a fresher breath and improve your oral hygiene.
4 Best Flossing Alternatives of 2023
Although flossing is crucial for oral health, many people prefer not to. There are many reasons why this is the case, according to a 2017 study done by the American Dental Association and Waterpik.
According to the findings, the biggest reason that people gave for not flossing regularly is because ‘it is too time-consuming.’ Other people claimed that the practice is painful, while a smaller percentage claimed that doing so is expensive. Forgetfulness or laziness also got mentioned as part of the reasons people don’t like flossing.
Nevertheless, it is a no-brainer that failure to floss your teeth regularly can bring forth dental concerns, such as cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
So, to avoid these issues and not using traditional floss, what can you use?
Here are the top four dentist-approved alternatives for traditional dental floss that you can look into:
Water flossers, also known as oral irrigators, use pressurized water to remove plaque, bacteria, and debris lodged between teeth and along the gum line.
These products come with adjustable water pressure settings for users to find their most comfortable setting. Moreover, the top brands also have specialized nozzles for different uses.
Although the best water flossers have been proven to remove plaque between teeth effectively, dentists still recommend using them alongside string floss.
Here’s a comprehensive water flosser vs floss comparison for further insights.
Air flossers work more like water flossers, using bursts of compressed air combined with micro-droplets of water to remove plaque and food particles. Instead of water droplets, you can also use mouthwash, as per your specific needs.
Just like with water flossers, air flossers direct the stream of air and liquid droplets into the spaces between teeth, providing a quick and efficient way of cleaning your mouth. These products are compact and highly portable, making them ideal for people who travel and prefer a less intrusive flossing experience.
Interdental brushes are small, cone-shaped brushes that are made to reach the gaps between teeth. They are also known as proxy brushes or interproximal brushes and have thin bristles that can efficiently clean the tight spaces between teeth to remove plaque and debris.
Just like the water flosser benefits, such products are often ideal for people with larger gaps, dental bridges, or orthodontic appliances like retainers.
Floss picks are small plastic devices with a U-shaped piece of floss on one end of a toothpick. These products offer a more convenient and single-use alternative to traditional string floss, making it easier to maneuver between teeth and remove plaque. Moreover, floss picks offer an added advantage as they can be used anytime and anywhere, even without needing a mirror or a special flossing technique.
Which One Is Right for You?
With a wide array of flossing techniques and products available, finding the best fit for your needs can seem overwhelming.
However, by considering a few key factors, you can determine the most suitable flossing technique. Here are some considerations to guide you toward personalized oral hygiene:
- Assess your dental health: Different flossing techniques cater to specific oral health needs, so understanding your dental situation will help you narrow down the options.
- Consult with your dentist: Your dentist can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific dental condition and help you choose the most suitable flossing technique.
- Consider comfort: Just like when comparing an electric toothbrush vs manual toothbrush, you need to pick an option you are most comfortable with. You shouldn’t feel pain or discomfort when flossing.
- Evaluate convenience: Some techniques, like countertop water flossers, may require access to water or electricity, which may not be ideal for on-the-go use. Go for a method, like using the best travel water flossers that align best with your daily routine.
Nevertheless, there isn’t a single ‘best technique’ that you can use, as it all trickles down to your personal preferences. Consider your needs and experiment with different flossing methods to find the one that works best for you.
FAQ
The effectiveness of flossing alternatives depends on the individual’s needs and oral health. Moreover, to be effective, it is crucial that you learn how to use them effectively.
Flossing is a crucial consideration in making your teeth healthy. In addition to flossing, you can keep them healthy by regular brushing and using flossing alternatives like water flossers.
Flossing alternatives can be suitable for many individuals, but their appropriateness may vary depending on specific oral health needs and personal factors. It is important to consult with your dentist to help you pick the best flossing alternative.
Yes, flossing alternatives can help with specific dental conditions. For instance, water flossers are ideal for people with braces, and interdental brushes are an excellent choice for people with larger gaps.
Sources
- Does flossing improve oral health? (2018). Retrieved 11 July 2023, from https://journals.lww.com/ebp/Citation/2018/09000/Does_flossing_improve_oral_health_.52.aspx
- Performance Evaluation of Dental Flosses Pre- and Post-Utilization. (2022). Retrieved 11 July 2023, from https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/15/4/1522
- An Overview of Different Interdental Cleaning Aids and Their Effectiveness. (2019). Retrieved 11 July 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6630384/
- Evaluation of the plaque removal efficacy of a water flosser compared to string floss in adults after a single use. (2013). Retrieved 11 July 2023, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24282867/
- Association of flossing/inter‐dental cleaning and periodontitis in adults. (2017). Retrieved 11 July 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5601277/
- Efficacy of Flossing and Mouthrinsing Regimens on Plaque and Gingivitis: A randomized clinical trial. (2022). Retrieved 11 July 2023, from https://jdh.adha.org/content/96/3/8
