Flossing daily keeps your teeth clean, your gums healthy, and your breath fresh. Would you believe that lack of dental flossing is one of the primary culprits of bad breath? It is.
Regardless of its benefits, many adults don’t like to floss, no matter what. They’d rather do just about anything else to get food debris out of their mouths, instead of floss.
American adults prefer to “floss” in quite a few strange ways. According to the American Dental Association, some popular flossing alternatives include fingernails, paper cards and cutlery.
Water Flossing– No string goes in your mouth! Instead a steady stream of water, aimed between your teeth, clears away plaque. Water flossers like Waterpik, use a small, hand-held appliance which might be more comfortable for some people.
Interdental Brushes – Like tiny toothbrushes, specially designed to clean between your teeth, these brushes are a great alternative to flossing. Interdental brushes are usually easier to use than a thread of floss, are just as effective as floss, and are probably your best option if you have braces.
Dental Picks– Much like a toothpick, but dental picks are specially shaped to clean and massage your teeth and gums, while removing any plaque. They come in wood or plastic, and we have a soft spot for Stim-u-Dents.
Pre-Threaded Floss –If it’s difficult for you to effectively get the floss in your mouth and move it back and forth between their teeth, Pre-threaded flossers offer a nice solution. They also work well for people with braces, and you don’t need to tie up both hands to floss like a pro.
Soft-Picks by GUM® – These small, disposable plastic picks are like an interdental brush/dental pick hybrid. They have soft tips with rubber bristles that comfortably fit between your teeth to clean and remove plaque. They’re also good for people with sensitive gums.
Whether you old-school floss, or you opt for alternative methods, doing it daily, and correctly, will serve your teeth and gums…and breath well.
If you have a question about any of these floss alternatives, or how they’d work for you, don’t hesitate to ask us on your next visit. Practicing good daily oral hygiene from home is vital to keeping your teeth healthy for life, especially when you don’t miss your bi-annual cleanings and check-ups. Need to get back on track? Just give us a call at (206) 242-0066 to schedule an appointment or contact us online!
