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.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
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.
What can you do next?
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 should you seek 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.
What should you ask the dentist?
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.