Understanding Dental Floss

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Flossing your teeth once a day is the most effective way to remove plaque and residual food particles from between your teeth and along the gumline. There are different types of floss to choose from. Even though there is little clinical difference, some people choose one type of floss over another as a matter of personal preference.

Unwaxed dental floss is a basic strand of nylon or extruded monofilament. Some brands of unwaxed floss also come with flavor additives. The flavoring has absolutely no bearing on the overall effectiveness of the floss.

Waxed dental floss is often made from nylon braid. The waxy coating helps the strand slip easily between teeth and into hard-to-reach places.

Research conducted by the American Dental Association did not find any clinical differences between waxed or unwaxed dental floss when it came to removing residual food particles and plaque from between the teeth and gumline.

When shopping for dental floss, you should always look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This seal proves that that brand of dental floss has been researched and tested by the ADA for safety and effectiveness.

If you have questions about what type of floss is right for you, or if you would like help improving your flossing technique, you can call Royse City Dental Care at 972-636-2417 to set up a consultation. Your dentists, Drs. Edmon R. Hutchison, will be more than happy to teach you all about flossing in Royse City, Texas!