I have had some rather heated debates with friends and fellow floss enthusiasts over dental tape. A lot of people do not believe it does as good a job as regular floss since it is narrower and may not remove all the particles stuck between your teeth. I have been convinced otherwise, however, and think that since it is vastly more comfortable to use, the incentive to floss regularly is its biggest asset. Is dental tape less effective than regular floss?

Any product that encourages patients to floss regularly is advantageous. In fact, I tell my patients to use whichever product they feel most comfortable with as they will be more likely to incorporate the flossing procedure into their daily hygiene.

Proper flossing technique is more important than your choice of brand. Each individual must practice to discover the easiest technique for him or her, but a few parameters should be followed. A person should floss between each and every tooth. This may be difficult for some people who have tight contacts between their teeth. In this situation, various products, such as Glide floss or dental tape, may be helpful. If a patient has a bridge, a floss threader or Superfloss (Oral-B) must be used to clean underneath the bridge. The area behind the very last teeth should be flossed or cleaned with a rubber tip.

When flossing, care must be taken not to use the floss in a back and forth sawing motion, as this may cut the gum tissue. The floss should be wrapped in a "C" shape around each tooth and gently moved up and down several times. Ideally, plaque and food particles are completely removed, but the action of "breaking up" the plaque is beneficial. The bacteria in plaque actually begin to cause damage once they have had a chance to become organized and colonize the area. If the bacteria are removed or, at least disorganized, once every 24 hours, it has less chance to damage tooth or gum structure. Rinsing or brushing after flossing can help remove any plaque which has been loosened during the flossing process.

There really is no right or wrong product provided that proper technique is followed. The choices to use regular floss or tape, waxed or unwaxed, mint flavor or unflavored floss, all depend on personal preference and convenience. Do not hesitate to ask your dentist or hygienist to review proper flossing technique.

Thanks for the good question, and I hope this puts some arguments to rest.