Different kinds of dental floss
Dental floss comes as waxed, unwaxed, tape, and specialized thread; choose the material that passes gently through your contact points.
The short answer
Dental floss types differ by thickness, coating, shape, and handle; the best choice is the one that cleans each contact without cutting the gum.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Waxed and unwaxed floss use a thin nylon or similar filament, while dental tape is broader and flatter. Super floss, threaders, and floss picks help around bridges, braces, or limited hand movement.
What can you do next?
Guide the floss through the contact, curve it into a C around one tooth, and slide it below the gum edge without snapping. Use tape for broad contacts, a threader for bridgework, and an interdental brush where the space is open.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek an examination if one area always bleeds, floss shreds, or food packs between teeth. Swelling, persistent bad taste, pain, or a loose tooth can indicate gum disease, decay, or a defective filling.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask which spaces need floss and which need an interdental brush, whether a filling or crown has an overhang, and whether bleeding reflects plaque inflammation or another problem.
Frequently asked questions
Is waxed floss better than unwaxed floss?
Neither is universally better; choose the strand that cleans the contact without fraying or injuring the gum.
What can I use with braces?
A floss threader, orthodontic floss, or an interdental brush can clean around brackets and beneath the wire.