What Are the Benefits of Using Dental Floss Picks?
Dental flossing is a vital part of a professional oral care routine at Tailor-Made Smiles(Sonia Tailor DDS)because it helps get rid of plaque film at the gum line and between teeth, where decay and gum disease often starts. Dental plaque harbors harmful bacteria that break down sugars and food particles left over between the crevices. This causes a release of acids that erode the outer layer of teeth called the enamel, predisposing teeth to dental cavities.
There are various types of floss available at our dental clinic in Rutherford. They include:
- Electric or water floss–This floss uses small jets of water to remove food leftovers and plaque between teeth. Electric floss is very efficient in removing stuck particles and is also gentle on the gum tissue.
- Standard floss–Consists of a thin nylon strand that fits in between the spaces of your teeth. It is gentle and slides inside and out of small spaces with ease.
- Dental tape–It is recommended for people with significant spaces between teeth as it is broader and hence makes flossing easier.
- Super floss–This type of floss is best suited for persons with fixed dental appliances such as a bridge, crown, or braces. It has three features; a standard floss (to remove dental plaque at the gum line), a rigid part for flossing under the dental braces, and a spongy part for flossing around the braces.
- Floss picks–A floss pick is a disposable D-shaped plastic interdental cleaner with floss on both sides of the plastic handle.
When deciding which one to opt for, it is best to consider the opinion of a dentist near you and weigh in on factors like your teeth and gums’ health, as well as the presence of fixed oral appliances like bridges, implants, and braces.
Of all the above-mentioned types of dental floss, floss picks will be the major part of this blog. Read on.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Quality Floss Pick
- Shred-resistant – A common issue with most dental floss is it gets shredded when rubbed against the rough parts of a tooth. When buying a floss pick, try to pick one with a shred-resistant label on it.
- Twin line – A floss pick with a twin line feature comes with two strings instead of the usual one, and this makes them more efficient at removing bacteria and plaque.
- Glide string – Dental floss picks with a glide string are usually recommended for teeth that are closely spaced since the regular floss often gets hung up when they slide between the narrow spaces.
- Fluoride-infused – Fluoride mineral helps in the fight against dental cavities by strengthening the enamel, making them more resistant to erosion by acids. Fluorine-infused floss picks can thus help make your teeth stronger.
- Fold-out pick – The end of most dental floss picks is usually sharp, which, even though it helps remove small bits of food particles between teeth, makes using it annoying and easy to poke yourself. To lower such risks, opt for floss picks with a fold-out design.
- Mint flavor – A mint-flavored floss pick will leave you with a cleaner mouth and fresher breath.
Benefits of dental Floss Picks
- Easy to hold and use
The main advantage of floss picks is that they do not have a lot of fuss with the gripping. Its design facilitates easy handling and use, making it a preference of choice for kids and persons with dexterity problems or arthritis.
- Double purpose
A dental floss pick’s end is usually tapered into a sharp pick that can be used to dislodge small, large food particles stuck along the gum line or teeth surface.
- Prevents periodontal (gum) disease
Brushing teeth at least twice a day and flossing with the right technique can help lower the risk of developing gum disease.
- Eliminates dental plaque
Plaque is a bacteria film that forms along the gum line and around teeth which, if left to accumulate, predisposes you to decay, which leads to dental cavities. Flossing facilitates the removal of food particles preventing plaque and tartar buildup.
- Combats bad breath
Halitosis or bad breath is an oral problem for many, but flossing is one of several options you can use to prevent it. Bad breath is typically a result of trapped food particles between teeth decaying, which produces a foul-smelling breath.