Know Your Alternative Options For Flossing

It is incredibly important to clean between your teeth. It is a spot where bacteria thrives because it's a spot that can't easily be reached. Not only can you form cavities in the spots between your teeth, but it is also where gum disease can start as well and cause inflammation. While most people know that using dental floss is the way to get this area clean, there are actually some alternative methods for cleaning between your teeth. 

Floss Picks

While many people use floss picks because they are faster to use than traditional dental floss, they are great for several reasons. If you are the type of person that has dexterity issues and has trouble holding the dental floss and pressing it between your teeth, a floss pick is going to make the job much easier. It is also great for small children that may not know the proper technique for holding dental floss, or for people that have trouble fitting their fingers into their mouth to reach those rear molars. 

The downside of using a floss pick is that it prevents you from using the C-shaped technique of wrapping the dental floss around the entire side of the tooth since the floss is typically threaded tightly on the pick and is a very short amount. That said, if you only find yourself able to floss by using a floss pick, then use it.

Interdental Brushes

An interdental brush almost looks like a tiny Christmas tree with a wire going up the middle. These brushes have many advantages that make them worth having in your dental hygiene bag of tools. Consider using an interdental brush between your two front teeth where plaque tends to build up the most, since it can really help scrub the area in a way that dental floss can't. If you have braces, an interdental brush is going to be a crucial tool for cleaning around brackets and getting the spot between the archwire and your gums. Try using it in addition to traditional dental floss to really get your teeth clean.

Water Flossers

A water flosser can be used by anyone, but it works great for people with gingivitis, braces, or even dental implants. It can help rinse out all of the food, bacterial, and debris between your teeth if used regularly. By using a water flosser on your gums, it can even help remove the plaque that hides in the pocket of your gums. It's another good tool to use in combination with traditional flossing. 

For more insight, contact dentists like Dr. Jon Douglas Lesan, DDS, RpH, PA.