Flossing is one of those things that you always say you should do, but never get around to actually doing.
Or you start doing it and quickly fall out of the habit. It’s a shame because dental experts and organizations emphasize the importance of flossing regularly. Flossing is just about the only way you can really effectively remove plaque from your teeth. Brushing alone only cleans about 60% of your teeth, leaving everything you missed just sitting there.
We understand that not everyone likes flossing. Some people find it horrible to imagine sticking a piece of string between their teeth and rubbing away. It can also prove to be a time-consuming activity.
Which is why in this piece, we’ll dig deeper into healthy alternatives to dental flossing. They won’t be ranked against each other because, honestly, as long as you’re doing something its a step in the right direction!
Toothpicks
However, it’s not advisable to solely depend on toothpicks to clean your teeth. You should also take full care not to injure or poke your gums or any other inside part of your mouth.
We Recommend: Norpro Wooden Toothpicks
Flossers (Floss Picks)
They come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, some flossers have long handles, which makes them look like toothbrushes. They aren’t as effective as dental floss but are still a solid alternative.
We Recommend: Plackers Micro Mint Flossers
Interdental Brushes
No string winding or sawing is necessary. A huge advantage of these brushes is that they clean around dental appliances such as braces, bridges, and also between wide interdental spaces. They’re designed to reach hard-to-reach parts of the mouth.
Although they’re not quite better than dental floss, they’re a worthy alternative.
We Recommend: Dentek Easy Brushes
Electric Toothbrushes
Its a more expensive solution to flossing, but the benefits far outweigh the cost. However, you should pay attention to the pressure applied to your gums and the speed setting to avoid bleeding and other injuries.
We Recommend: Oral-B Pro 1000
Water Irrigation
They’re exceptionally efficient at cleaning in between one’s teeth and gums. They work to remove larger food particles from teeth, while stimulating the gums. Also, you can add a non-alcohol mouthwash or some peroxide to the solution, which would allow for better cleaning.
Water flossers additionally help in preventing periodontal diseases. The pulsating water will stimulate your blood flow and contribute to improving your overall dental health.
We Recommend: Water-Pik Aquarius WP-660
Sonic AirFloss
They make use of microburst technology to deliver droplets of water and air, which remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles from the teeth.
Such devices feature a narrow tip that will reach the deepest parts of your mouth, hence ensuring to clean your entire mouth.
We Recommend: Philips Soni-Care AirFloss HX8211
Wrapping It Up
If you make use of any of the above products with notable regularity, you’ll have healthier teeth.
Apart from the water flosser and perhaps the Sonicare, they’re not as efficient as the good old-fashioned flossing, but they’ll contribute to having a bacteria-free, clean mouth.
If you notice receding gum lines, excessive bleeding, or other issues you think might be linked to plaque removal or flossing products please exercise caution and consult your dentist.
Regular, traditional flossing remains the best way to remove bacteria and plaque, while preventing gum disease as well.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It’s good to know that aside from the water flosser and the Sonicare, the rest of the methods aren’t as good as just regular flossing. It’s no wonder why so many dentists make a point about the importance of flossing. It has a bigger impact on our oral health than I thought.