Discover the Top Alternatives to Floss for Optimal Interdental Cleaning

Cleaning between the teeth is essential for healthy teeth and gums.

Even if you use your toothbrush correctly, up to 40% of the tooth and gum surfaces remain uncleaned. The spaces between the teeth are ideal niches for bacteria – it's dark, moist, and there are always enough nutrients for bacteria that can cause cavities and gum inflammation. Correct use of dental floss is not easy, and many people quickly get discouraged and end up not using it at all. In this article, you’ll learn more about three alternatives to dental floss.

Floss Picks

Ideal for children and parents helping their children with brushing. Also suitable for patients who have difficulty with traditional dental floss. Thanks to the handle, floss picks are easier to use than regular floss. Traditional floss is my favorite, but using floss picks is better than not cleaning the interdental spaces at all.

Interdental Brushes

To use them effectively, you need to have the right size for yourself. Therefore, in my opinion, they should be individually adjusted by your dentist or dental hygienist. You should know that you may often need several interdental brushes in various sizes. They can be used in combination with traditional floss and are easier to handle.

Oral Irrigator

Works great as a supplement to floss picks. It’s a good solution for patients with gum inflammation, periodontitis, implants, or orthodontic brackets and supports basic oral hygiene. You can use the oral irrigator as a supplement to your oral hygiene in combination with floss or interdental brushes. The irrigator gives you a fresh feeling in your mouth – give it a try!

Personalized Oral Hygiene: How to Find the Best Method for You

Ask your dentist or dental hygienist which of these tools is best suited for you. If you would like me or our experts at Famidental to help you find the best oral hygiene method tailored specifically to your needs, feel free to write to us or schedule a consultation and oral hygiene appointment at famidental.ch in Biel. What works for me may not necessarily work for you, which is why oral hygiene methods and techniques should be individually tailored to you.