Dental Floss

Floss coating

Photograph of a few boxes of waxed floss.

Waxed floss is coated with wax which makes it easier for the floss to slide into the interdental spaces.
Photograph of a few boxes of mint flavoured floss.

Mint flavoured floss gives a feeling of freshness.
Photograph of two boxes of fluoride coated floss.

Fluoride coated floss is intended to prevent tooth decay from occurring on the adjacent tooth surfaces, but its effectiveness has not yet been proven.

Shape of floss

Photograph of a piece of flattened floss.

Flattened floss is designed to increase the contact surface with the tooth.
Photograph of a piece of ultra floss.

Ultra floss is spongy and soft.
Photograph of a piece of thin round floss.

Round floss is relatively thinner.
Photograph of a piece of superfloss.

Superfloss contains segments of stiffened-end threader, spongy floss and regular floss. Stiffened-end threader can make it easier for us to slide the superfloss through the gap between the teeth and fixed orthodontic appliances. Spongy floss cleans around the appliances and between wide spaces or to floss underneath the bridge. Regular floss removes plaque from the adjacent tooth surfaces.
Please refer to sections Cleaning of fixed orthodontic appliance and Cleaning of fixed bridge for method of using Superfloss.

Floss holder (Dental floss stick)

Floss holder is a supplementary tool for flossing. It is especially suitable for parents or caregivers to help children or individuals with special care needs to clean the adjacent surfaces of their teeth. Among all different types of floss holders, disposable floss holders are more commonly found in the market. Because floss holders come in a variety of designs, you should seek advice from the dentist before making a purchase.

  • To effectively clean the adjacent tooth surfaces, the floss on the floss holder should be taut. Therefore, we should pay attention to the tautness of the floss when we buy disposable floss holders.

    Photograph of two disposable dental floss holders.Disposable dental floss holders

Dental floss that suits you

You can choose a kind of dental floss or floss holder that is suitable for you according to your personal need or preference. Those who are wearing fixed orthodontic appliance or fixed bridge can use superfloss. In addition to toothbrushing, if used correctly, any kind of dental floss will effectively remove dental plaque and reduce gingivitis. The use of dental floss will not widen the gaps between your teeth. There is no need to worry about it.