There are various types of dental floss available, but a very popular kind is the waxed floss. The waxed coating provides the floss with several advantages, one being that the slick coat slides more easily between teeth, allowing for a smoother flossing experience. For some users, though, the wax on the floss is just extra thickness that may be unsuitable for their unique configuration of teeth.
Understand that waxed floss is merely a thin nylon string coated in wax. Slightly more expensive products may feature a flavored coating to add some extra taste to the experience. The wax, however, can serve many more practical purposes.
Dental floss with wax is generally sturdier than unwaxed floss. Thus, individuals who have teeth with sharp corners, small spaces, and awkward angles to floss around may find this extra durability to help them floss without breaking. It will reduce frustration and save more floss because it will not fray as easily.
This is especially useful for those with braces, since the floss string is a prime target for the metal fixtures which can easily snap the string. Furthermore, waxed floss is slightly stiffer and anecdotal reports seem to conclude that it is easier to thread around most dental fixtures, including braces.
Another benefit of waxed floss is the slipper texture that allows it to more easily slide between teeth. This is useful for those whose teeth are too close together and have difficulty flossing with unwaxed floss.
Some individuals report the opposite, saying that the extra thickness of the waxed floss is more difficult to insert between teeth. In any case, the option is available for you to test and the performance of one floss versus another varies drastically.
The slippery texture of waxed floss can conversely be seen as a negative for some users. They feel that the waxy surface of the floss is disturbing and harder to grip tightly. Once again, this can depend on many factors depending on a user’s specific situation.
When choosing the right floss for you, you need to think about more factors than just the outer coating. For instance, people who have large gaps between their teeth ought to use dental tape over dental floss.
This product is wider and can eliminate plaque from spaces that a thin string floss would only graze. If you do not like the rubbery taste of unflavored floss, then perhaps a cinnamon or mint flavored floss will enhance the experience and freshen one’s breath.
Whether or not you decide to use waxed and/or flavored floss is dependent on the user. However, dentists recommend that daily flossing be a priority, and any kind of floss is capable of that task. Flossing every day helps to reduce plaque and clean out trapped food particles between teeth.
It is also an incredibly important step to stopping gum disease and tooth decaty.