Despite the recent news, dental professionals and the American Dental Association agree: Flossing is still a big deal. But that doesn’t make it any more fun (or painless). Many Americans would rather clean their toilets than floss. Thanks to alternatives, string isn’t king anymore. Spice up your flossing routine with these replacements:
Most Pain-Free – Water Flosser
This fountain-style flosser spouts streams of water to remove plaque between teeth. Using a water flosser once a day can be just as effective as manual flossing. And if it’s been awhile, a water flosser can take your gums from bad blood to blank space. In some cases, a water flosser can reduce the amount of blood better than thread. Bonus for braces and bridges: it can get rid of food particles that string can’t reach. Water flossing can remove around 10% more plaque than traditional flossing, according to the American Journal of Orthodontics.
Most Diverse – Air Flosser
An air flosser shoots rapid bursts of air and water to remove bacteria biofilm between your teeth. It’s clinically proven to be just as effective as string floss for gum health.
Using only a teaspoon of liquid, an air flosser gets its plaque-fighting power from micro-droplets. Here’s where the customization comes in: The liquid you fill it with doesn’t have to be water! You can fill the flosser with your favorite mouthwash.
Most Fun – Food-Flavored Floss
It’s traditional floss, but the flavors are not. Ditch the mundane mint for meat (bacon) or sweet (cupcake). In reference to trying cupcake floss, one of our employees said it best, “…sugar sounds nice.” Watch as our Delta Dental of Idaho team tries sweet, savory and salty floss:
