Flossing Alternatives
Flossing may not be your favorite activity. Honestly, it’s probably not high on anyone’s list! But does that mean that you can abandon it all together? Definitely not.
Luckily, there are a number of other options if you find flossing difficult.
Luckily, there are a number of other options if you find flossing difficult.
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Gumchucks - Is your problem that you can’t quite reach those spaces between your back molars? Gumchucks might be your answer. These tools are comprised of two small plastic sticks with a piece of floss attached to the top of each component. Gumchucks make it easier to reach all those tricky, tight spaces, which is especially helpful for kids who are just learning to floss. It’s more expensive than normal floss - which you can get for free at our office! - but most patients find it worth the small cost.
Watch our video to see just how well they work! |
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Flossers - Similar to gumchucks, flossers do the hard work for you by holding the floss in place while you reach the plastic piece back to all those hard-to-reach areas. The downside is that because the floss is held tightly in place, you can’t make the C-shape with the thread that helps you get all the way around the tooth. You’ll be able to get food out of the flat spots between teeth, but might have a hard time around the curves.
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Wooden dental picks - Tools that use floss aren’t the only option for getting food out of the space between your teeth. Wooden dental picks are also helpful. The advantage of picks are that they’re an easy tool to keep in your purse or car glove box to get food out of your teeth after lunch. But they can’t get in tight places, so you’ll still need to floss when you get home. Dental picks are a quick fix, but not a longterm solution.
Waterpik - If you have an implant, orthodontic wire, bridge or implant, a waterpik might be your answer. This tool sprays water under the appliance, which is easier than trying to thread a flosser. The downside is that the waterpik doesn’t clean as well as more traditional types of flossing, so you shouldn’t rely on this method by itself.
Have questions? Call to schedule an appointment at our office today! One of our hygienists would be happy to discuss your flossing options.