Flossing is something we should all be doing, regardless of our oral hygiene status, age, or brushing habits. But knowing what kind of floss to use (now that there are different flossing tools as well as different brands) can be a conundrum.

Which dental floss should I use?

Traditional tape floss

Traditional tape floss is the original dental floss. Its origins date when a New Orleans advised his patients to begin using a piece of silk thread to clean between the gaps in their teeth, all way back in 1815.

The fact that many of us still use it today speaks volumes. Traditional tape floss is a viable way to get rid of lingering particles – it’s the best tool for cleaning the contact point between 2 teeth, and to prevent decay. This said, using traditional floss does require a good degree of dexterity and compliance. You may want to consider a more user-friendly dental aid if you struggle with moving it from side to side.

Flossing harps

Flossing harps have similar efficacy as dental floss, and do require a similar level of dexterity. In order to use harps correctly to reach your back teeth (the teeth that most readily sustain cavities and often down to poor flossing technique), you will need to be able to open your mouth, with enough width to reach these teeth.

If you’re looking to be eco-conscious with your bathroom purchases, consider that plastic flossing harps can be wasteful. They’re a single-use dental aid and are made up of a plastic frame. This said, ethical bamboo plastic-free flossing harps do exist.

Water flossers

A fairly new type of dental floss, water flossers are effective for preventing the build up of dental plaque, but they shouldn’t replace traditional tape flossing or a flossing harp. Ideally, they should be a supplementary clean, as they can’t reach the contact point between teeth very effectively (at all). However, they do stimulate gum tissue and clean away plaque at the gum line.

If you have a dental bridge, brace or implant, water flossers do a great job of cleaning the surfaces around these.

If you really dislike the idea of using any other dental floss, water flossing is better than no flossing at all. It’s true that water flossing is an easier process than using other types of dental floss (which is why so many people love it) but it won’t bring about the same cavity-preventing benefits).

Flossing FAQs

How often should I floss my teeth?

Ideally, you should floss your teeth after every meal to remove any bits of food. Some meals may warrant flossing more than others, such as when you eat steak or bagels (which are notorious for getting stuck in your teeth).

However, if you’re flossing your teeth religiously once a day, this is a great undertaking and we encourage you to keep it up (many people don’t floss at all, and it’s these people who often struggle with dental decay and bad breath).

Should I floss before or after brushing?

To get the most out of your flossing, we recommend starting with your dental floss, and following up with your toothbrush. This way, you’ll have dislodged trapped food particles, ready for your toothpaste to rinse them away.

This said, any flossing is better than no flossing (so if you do forget to do it in this order, don’t fret too much).

What should I do if my gums bleed after flossing?

If your gums are bleeding after flossing, it’s an indication that you have gingivitis (the early stages of gum disease) or periodontitis (advanced gum disease). It’s always best to see a hygienist in order to rule out periodontitis, which is a serious condition that warrants treatment.

Should your hygienist diagnose gingivitis (a condition from which half of adults suffer) you will need to have the plaque suffocating your gums removed and be more thorough with your flossing.

As dentists, we find that most of the patients we see who have gingivitis do so because they’re either:

• not flossing all the way down to gum level.

• eating a diet too rich in sugar and failing to see the hygineist at least once a year.

Will flossing stop me getting cavities and gum disease?

Flossing is one of the best defences against cavities and gum disease. Unremoved food particles in between your teeth are essentially the same as walking around with days-old mud on your clothes.

By flossing, you’re maintaining good oral hygiene, and stopping the bacteria in trapped food particles from rotting and causing disease and cavities.

Will my breath be fresher after flossing?

Yes. Regular flossing to get rid of food particles will undoubtedly improve freshness of breath. No rotting food in between your teeth = no foul odour.