A 2007 study published in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry found that floss picks are “at least as good as” regular dental floss when it comes to removing plaque. The Cochrane Review found that wooden “cleaning sticks” can help reduce gingivitis but not plaque, whereas those made of synthetic materials can help reduce plaque but not gingivitis symptoms.įloss picks: A floss pick is a disposable tool with a toothpick on one end and a bit of floss held taut on the other. The toothpicks you might pick up at your local diner are probably not ADA approved, but you can find a wooden “plaque remover” with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Toothpicks: Like interdental brushes, some toothpicks (usually made of wood, rubber, or plastic) may be easier to hold than a strand of floss. People with tightly spaced teeth may have trouble using them, and according to the ADA, people with electronic implants in their mouths should avoid interdental brushes with an exposed metal wire. The Cochrane Review found that such tools can reduce gingivitis symptoms and plaque in the short term, and a 2015 review of nearly 400 studies, published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, found “moderate” evidence that interdental brushes reduce plaque and gingivitis symptoms. Interdental brushes: These small, textured brushes made for cleaning between teeth can be easier to hold and maneuver than floss. (Wirecutter recommends the Waterpik Aquarius.) A 2019 Cochrane Review examining 35 randomized controlled trials found that oral irrigation has been shown to reduce gingivitis symptoms (bleeding gums) in the short term but found no evidence for overall plaque reduction. Oral irrigators: These electronic devices shoot either a thin stream of water ( water flossers) or a thin stream of air punctuated by bursts of tiny water droplets (air flossers) between teeth to remove plaque. Ruchi Sahota, a spokesperson for the organization, said she always tells her patients to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when they’re shopping for interdental cleaners, and Neuburger recommends making sure dental items are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in addition to having the ADA Seal of Acceptance. If you fear floss, some alternatives have been shown to “demonstrate safety and efficacy” in clinical or lab data submitted to the ADA. Whatever you can do to consistently disrupt the plaque between your teeth and stimulate your gums is better than nothing. If you have any kind of manual dexterity difficulties, or developmental disabilities that make it hard to floss, it’s especially important to talk things through with your dentist. “Your dentist will be able to give you a personalized recommendation based on the spacing between your teeth, the health of your gums, or any dental work you might have like braces or a bridge.” “It’s really important that you choose something that works for you, so you can feel comfortable using it on a daily basis,” said Neuburger. Michele Neuburger, a dental officer in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Oral Health. The best way to know whether an interdental cleaner is right for you is by asking your dentist, said Dr. Thankfully, in addition to string floss, you can find other interdental cleaners-things designed to clean between teeth-that are safe and effective. The research is limited, and flossing is not a cure-all, but it is still one of the few things people can do-along with brushing, drinking fluoridated water, rinsing with mouthwash, eating well, and going to the dentist regularly-to stand a chance against severe, long-term oral-health problems. Truth be told, it’s more like once a week.ĭespite reports that flossing may be “ overrated,” the American Dental Association (ADA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services still recommend flossing every day. My dental hygienist and I have a longstanding, unspoken agreement: I won’t get any cavities, and she’ll pretend to believe me when I tell her I floss every day.
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