To Floss or Not to Floss...

…well if you know me that certainly is not the question, I love it when my patients floss! As a matter of fact I once had a patient ask me what I would choose to have on me if I was stranded on a deserted island, a toothbrush or dental floss. Without hesitation I answered floss because most of the cavities I treat originate in between the teeth. Luckily none of us have to make that kind of choice but we do have several options as far as flossing goes.

One of the questions I often get asked is if the flossers or tooth picks are as good as the traditional string floss. In my opinion the string floss is the gold standard because it offers the greatest versatility. If handled properly it can reach into deep gum pockets, cover and clean a greater surface area and navigate tight contact areas more effectively. It is a little tricky to hold onto but like anything else a little practice will go a long way.

Flossers are a convenient alternative to string floss but they only work for patients with little or no gum recession. They lack the flexibility to wrap around curved areas of the tooth and often “bottom out” before they can reach deeper gum pockets.

Tooth picks really only are good at removing food from between teeth, they don’t get rid of the bacteria and can actually chip away at the tooth, creating areas even more vulnerable to decay. A safer alternative to tooth picks are interdental brushes that work well for patients with braces or large spaces between their teeth.

The bottom line: if used properly all of these devices can help reduce plaque and keep your teeth healthy. The most important thing is to find the one that works for you and to commit to using it every day.