Types of dental floss
Dental floss comes as nylon or PTFE thread, tape, super floss, and holders, with the best choice depending on contacts and dental work.
The short answer
Dental floss types include nylon multifilament thread, PTFE monofilament, dental tape, super floss, and floss holders. Each is designed to pass around tooth contacts and clean the proximal surfaces near the gingival margin.
How does nylon floss differ from other floss types?
Nylon floss is available waxed or unwaxed and may shred in very tight contacts. PTFE slides easily, tape is broader and flatter, and super floss combines a stiff end, spongy section, and regular thread for bridges or orthodontic appliances.
How should different floss types be used?
Choose a strand that passes the contact without force, then curve it around each tooth and move it beneath the gum edge. Use a threader, super floss, or an interdental brush around fixed bridges, braces, and implants.
When can flossing problems require dental care?
See a dentist when floss repeatedly catches or tears at one site, or when cleaning causes persistent bleeding, swelling, or pain. A rough filling edge, decay, calculus, or an open contact may need correction.
Which floss or interdental cleaner suits each gap?
Ask which product fits each contact and whether an interdental brush would be more effective. If you have a bridge, implant crown, or braces, ask the dentist to show the correct threading path.
Frequently asked questions
Is dental tape better than string floss?
Neither is universally better; tape may feel more comfortable in broad spaces while thread may fit narrow contacts.
What floss works with braces?
A floss threader, orthodontic floss, or super floss can pass beneath the wire and around brackets.
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.