How To Choose Dental Floss

Aside from brushing your teeth, one of the most important things you can do to maintain oral health and prevent severe health problems is to floss twice a day. Dental floss comes in various flavors, thicknesses, designs and the choice combinations  are mind-boggling.  Here are some suggestions to help you choose the perfect dental floss for you.

Dental floss is a personal choice.  Just like choosing your favorite mouth wash, or what kind of tooth brush you will buy, dental floss falls into the personal preference category.  The one which feels the most comfortable in your mouth, the one with the taste you like, and ultimately, the one you really prefer, will be the one you use the most consistently.  It's such a personal choice that favored dental floss even varies among family members, and the one that you like the most may be a type that your spouse just won't use.

Check out the spaces between your teeth.  There is a reason that a whole science has been developed to identify people based on their teeth and dental records.  We have our own tooth imprints, and this does make a difference in which type of floss makes the best individual choice.

If you have teeth that are closely spaced together, then you may find that a wax-coated floss glides more easily between the gaps in your teeth. If your teeth are spaced further apart, then you may prefer the feel of a non-waxed finish.  There are even softer woven-like flosses which provide a gentler touch to the gums.  If you are unsure which type to choose, ask your dentist or dental hygienist for samples or professional recommendations.

Choose your flavor.  Flosses come in a wide range of mint flavors; you can also get cinnamon-flavored floss.  Others have no discernible flavor at all.  Some flosses also include baking soda and fluoride to add an extra cavity fighting boost.

Think dexterity and strength.  Some flosses will break when being wrapped around the fingers and when held taut.  Some come in pre-measured amounts which are easier for people with less hand-strength to managae, and which give children the right amount to handle. There are also gadgets which eliminate the winding of floss and work in a way similar to a toothbrush, with a handle with floss already threaded into the chamber.

By figuring out what works best for your individual preferences of taste and texture, you can feel more comfortable and relaxed about choosing the right dental floss for yourself.