Floss is a string shaped material and tape is more ribbon shaped, they both do the same job but some people prefer one type over another, they’re generally used to clean small interdental spaces. Floss and tape are available as waxed, unwaxed, flavoured or unflavoured; it is trial and error that will help you to decide which type is best suited to you.
Floss and tape is;
- Inserted between the teeth
- Moved gently along the side surfaces of the teeth, down or up to the gum level
- Once at gum level the floss or tape is gently placed a short way underneath the gum along the side of the tooth and back out above gum level
A sawing action is NOT needed or recommended, it is only used if necessary to insert the floss or tape between the teeth if particularly tight spaces are present.
With practice where two teeth meet you will be able to control the floss well, and once between the teeth can move the floss or tape to the right (under the gum), back to above gum level, and then left (under the gum) and back out from between the teeth, in one fluid movement.
Each interdental area should be cleaned with an unused piece of floss; this can be achieved by wrapping the used floss or tape around a finger after each interdental space, effectively moving slowly along the length of floss or tape as you move around your mouth.
Flossettes are a small amount of floss or tape on a ‘Y’ shaped handle, the flossing action is the same as if using conventional floss or tape but it must be cleaned between placing between teeth and thrown away once the whole mouth has been cleaned interdentally. Many people find this method easier than using conventional floss or tape, but it is less cost effective.
There is another type of flossette available on the market which gently vibrates as it is used, this is called a ‘Hummingbird’ and is made by Colgate. The Hummingbird has a length of floss within the product which the user should rethread on the head of the flossette after each use; to ensure clean floss is being used each time the mouth is cleaned interdentally. This option is slightly more expensive than conventional floss or tape and flossettes but does make flossing easier for the user.
Superfloss
Superfloss is generally used to clean under an abutment (false tooth) of a bridge. It has one stiff end, an amount of thick ‘woolly’ floss and a length of normal floss on each piece.
- The stiff end is placed at the interdental area alongside the abutment tooth or teeth, it is then pulled through until the thicker area of floss is at the base of the tooth
- The superfloss is then gently manoeuvred underneath the whole of the abutment tooth or teeth and the remaining length of floss is then pulled through the interdental area.
Interdental brushes
Interdental brushes such as Tepes are available in various sizes to fit all interdental spaces most are colour coded to indicate their size; different makes use different colours so ensure you buy the correct make or size when replenishing your stock. Interdental brushes look like miniature bottle brushes with a short handle and are specifically shaped to clean between teeth. Unlike floss they only remove debris from between the teeth at the papilla of the gum (pointy area of gum between teeth), rather than beneath the gum and along the whole side surface of a tooth, but many people find using these brushes easier than using floss or tape, and any interdental cleaning is better than none. It is important that the correct sized brush is used in each interdental space to clean effectively, a dentist, therapist or hygienist will recommend the right brush for you and your individual interdental spaces. Once the brush has been used in a space it should be rinsed before being placed into the next space. Toothpaste or mouthwash can be placed on the brushes before use to make your mouth feel even fresher; if you have sensitive areas between your teeth using sensitive toothpaste on the brush can help.
Woodsticks
Woodsticks are a soft stick of wood which should be used in large interdental spaces to remove food debris and plaque. They are used at the same interdental area as interdental brushes; at the papilla of gum, and literally poke away food and plaque. Many dentists are not keen on this method of interdental cleaning as it is less effective than using interdental brushes and can sometimes cause temporary periodontal problems, such as inflammation if used incorrectly.
Waterjet
Waterjets such as the ‘Waterpik’ are used to flush out, or irrigate the interdental areas of the mouth with water. They are a more expensive option as far as interdental cleaning products are concerned. Rather than physically removing plaque and food debris with a brush or floss, they rely on water which is released under pressure, reaching the interdental areas. If used correctly this can be an effective way of cleaning interdentally, but it is advisable to visit your dentist, therapist or hygienist to ensure that it is being used correctly, otherwise interdental cleaning in this way may be ineffective and costly.
