While traditional string dental floss has long been held up as the gold standard for cleaning interdentally, or between your teeth, some dental professionals are moving away from recommending flossing in favour of more modern oral hygiene tools, like water flossers or Curaprox interdental brushes. But what is it about string floss that’s causing the shift in opinion?  

While it’s true that string floss, when used correctly, is an effective tool when it comes to removing interdental plaque – up to 80%, according to some studies – maintaining proper flossing technique is actually fairly difficult, leading to an increased chance of pain, bleeding gums or other issues. This difficulty is likely a contributing factor to how few people stick to a flossing routine, with some studies showing up to 90% of people don’t floss regularly.  

Water flossers, on the other hand, are much easier to use effectively and require less manual dexterity, making them more accessible for people with limited hand movement or other disabilities. They’re also convenient for people with braces, as the pressurized water is particularly effective at washing away food particles trapped in the braces. Additionally, the narrow jet is useful for targeted cleaning, able to more easily reach tight spaces or odd angles that string floss may struggle to reach.  

Despite the relatively strong jet of water that water flossers put out, they’re also gentler on your gums when compared to traditional string floss. Incorrect technique or pressure when using string floss can easily irritate or hurt gums, leading to bleeding or even minor injury. In fact, with enough time, improper flossing technique can lead to lasting gum damage.

Even when applying proper string floss technique, water flossers have been shown in several studies to be as effective or more effective at reducing plaque and cleaning away food particles. Where water flossers can fall short, however, is in their convenience – they require regular cleaning and a power source, making string floss both more readily transportable and cheaper up front. That’s why we suggest Curaprox interdental brushes for your travel kit, as these small brushes, with their super-fine filaments, are ideal for cleaning between your teeth when you don’t have access to your home water flosser setup.  

For more information about water flossers, Curaprox brushes or any other oral hygiene tool, feel free to reach out to us. Booking an appointment is simple, just use the orange Book Online button and we’ll save you a spot in one of our chairs.