Life is full of tough decisions, but who'd think choosing dental floss would
be one of them?
Turns out, though, that if you're looking for a mental rest, the floss aisle
of your local drugstore is not the place to find it. So many bewildering choices --
and seemingly more by the minute:
--Power flossers -- latest aid for the flossing fixated (or fatigued). Several
are on the market -- including Braun Oral-B, Interplak, SoniPick, Panasonic and
OralMax -- and Waterpik will unveil its first model later this month.
--Floss that's baking-soda coated, fluoride-dipped, extra-wide, ultra-fine,
woven, ribbon type, shred-resistant, waxed, unwaxed, super-smooth and equipped with
little grippers. And, of course, flavored flosses -- grape, bubble gum, cinnamon,
mint.
--A growing array of plastic floss holders designed to help you get a grip on
your tooth-cleaning chores.
How do you choose? And just when did this flossing mania hit the nation anyway?
Actually, it hasn't -- at least not to the extent dental experts would wish.
Even with all the new tools designed to entice us, most folks aren't the faithful
flossers we ought to be for top oral health.
One survey found that only 31 percent of Americans say they floss, or use
another between-teeth cleaner, every day, as dentists recommend. A surprising 13
percent claim they floss twice or more daily. But more typically, people floss in
streaks, most diligently after a trip to the dentist, then less and less often until
the next dental visit fires us up again.
Not long ago, though, some startling news gave us an added reason to whip out
that floss. Not just that brushing alone can't reach all spots to remove food and
plaque; we all knew that. But now, some studies have found that gum disease, which
flossing helps prevent, might be linked to heart disease and stroke. There's evidence
that bacteria from diseased gums migrate to heart blood vessels, causing trouble.
Not all experts are convinced, but they do agree on this: Flossing helps save
your teeth. Teamed with brushing, it helps keep gums and the underlying bone healthy
and thus prevents teeth from loosening.
Which brings us back to all those flossing products: Which is best?
The kind you'll actually use, experts say. If a certain type -- flavored, plain,
thick, thin, manual or powered -- inspires you to do that, get it.
THE FACTS ABOUT FLOSS:
--Power flossers. These are a boon to people with dexterity problems --
arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc., says Dr. Matthew Messina, a dentist and consumer
adviser with the American Dental Association.
For others, regular floss works just as well, possibly better, he says.
Regular floss cups more easily around the side of a tooth in the flossing method most
dentists recommend.
After a Consumer Reports panel tested three brands of power flossers, the
magazine concluded that most people would do better with regular dental floss, which
reaches more tooth areas and costs a lot less.
A year's supply of regular floss costs about $7, the magazine estimated. Power
flossers range from about $25 to $70 when purchased separately, and usually more as
part of a complete power toothbrush/flossing appliance. Additional cost: The
disposable flossing tips must be replaced daily.
Different brands have different flossing tips: cone-shaped types, tiny
cylindrical brushes, bristle tufts, a rotating filament, or a short length of floss
stretched tightly between two holding points. Messina prefers the last, because he
believes it can reach more places between the teeth.
However, the only power flosser that carries the American Dental Association
Seal of Acceptance is the $65 Braun Oral-B Interclean, which cleans with a rotating
filament.
Chief criterion for the seal: evidence the flosser reduces gingivitis, or gum
inflammation. (Companies voluntarily submit their products for approval; others
besides Braun may or may not have been evaluated -- the dental association doesn't
tell.)
The Consumer Reports panel also preferred the Braun, calling it the easiest to
use of those it tested, which included SoniPick and Panasonic.
The Braun and other power flossers were somewhat hard to find in local stores.
Waterpik hopes to make a bigger splash, partly through packaging that makes its use
more obvious.
--Floss. Choosing a floss rests more on personal preference than cleaning
capabilities, says Dr. Robert Johnson, periodontal authority with the University of
Washington. ``If you're conscientious, I don't think it matters what kind of floss
you use.''
Still, you may prefer different floss features. If you have tightly spaced
teeth, a finer floss might be easier to use than a thick, ribbon-type or woven
version, more suited to wider spaces.
If an unwaxed floss always catches on your fillings, you might choose a waxed
one or a shred-resistant type. Others prefer the squeaky-clean feel they get from an
unwaxed floss, though Johnson does not know of any evidence this actually cleans
better.
As for fluoride-coated floss, Johnson is not aware of a proven advantage,
though it won't hurt.
--Floss holders. These plastic devices stretch floss tightly between two points,
so you don't have to wrap it awkwardly around your fingers. This eases flossing,
especially for children or for adults with dexterity problems. Some holders are
small, brightly colored and whimsically shaped for kid appeal.
Some disadvantages: It's harder to cup the floss around teeth. Also, if you
push hard to get the floss through a tight space, it can fall with force onto the gum
and cut it.
Some floss holders are for one-time use, increasing waste and cost. Others
have a built-in spool of floss, while a third, reuseable kind lets you thread any
floss into the holder.
--Other options. Older people with receded gums may find other types of between-
teeth cleaners more helpful -- particularly an interproximal brush, a tiny conical or
cylindrical brush that reaches between teeth.
For people with dental bridges or braces, special cleaning aids are available.
Ask your dentist which one is best for you.
