Your dentist may remind you to use floss after every meal, but there are plenty of other reasons to keep a roll handy — particularly the unwaxed, unflavored kind that shoppers often pass over at the pharmacy or grocery store.
Dental floss has been commercially available since , when the Codman and Shurtleft Company of Randolph, Massachusetts, made it out of unwaxed silk. The switch to nylon came during World War II, and wax-coated floss also debuted in the s, according to toothbrush manufacturer Oral-B. Nowadays it is everywhere, with U.S. consumers spending more than $1 billion a year on the lightweight, stretchy and surprisingly strong floss.
Most is likely used to remove food debris stuck between our teeth, but you’ll want to keep a spool in your pocket once you see all the creative and handy ways dental floss can be used. Here are 11 ways that it’s become the new duct tape.
It’s best to check with a doctor first, but Susan Massick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, says small skin tags can be removed painlessly with dental floss. These small outgrowths of regular skin attached to a thin stalk, or base, are usually harmless and often appear as we age. Tie dental floss tightly around the base of the skin tag, and within a few days it should fall off. However, if this is painful, remove the dental floss right away.
If you have a swollen finger, it may be difficult to remove a ring, but dental floss may help it slip off, according to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Here’s what to do. Begin by lubricating the finger with liquid soap or cooking oil, then wrap it in ice and raise your hand overhead for five or so minutes. Grab about a foot-long piece of dental floss and thread it under the ring so that about four inches extends toward your wrist. Then wind the longer length of floss around your finger to compress the swelling, starting at the top of the ring and moving up and over the knuckle. After that, pull the shorter length of floss over the stuck ring and, using that end, begin unwinding the floss to hopefully pull the ring up and over the knuckle.
Slicing hard-boiled eggs, a wheel of Brie or even cheesecake can be accomplished with ease using a piece of tautly held, unwaxed floss. It’s also a perfect way to divide a cake into layers, according to Condé Nast’s Epicurious website. Position the floss around the outside edge of the cake, hold the ends tightly with both hands, then pull through. A couple of toothpicks placed along the edges halfway up the cake can act as a guide.
If you find a photograph stuck in a frame or an old photo album, you can use floss to remove it without tearing. Starting at one corner of the photo, place the floss between the picture and the surface it is stuck to, then carefully pull the floss between the two surfaces until the picture is freed, according to Flintlock Dental in Liberty, Missouri.
Instead of using braided wire, which can mar your wall, tie dental floss across the back of a lightweight frame and then hang it on the wall, according to This Old House.
If you don’t have Teflon tape on hand, wrap dental floss around the threads on a leaky connection and then screw it back into place, recommends This Old House.
Similar to separating a picture stuck to a photo album, shimmying floss under each cookie will release it from the baking sheet or wire rack without losing the bottom crust, according to Epicurious.
If you’re out on a hike and you break a shoelace, dental floss can serve as a substitute. It’s not perfect, but it should be strong enough to keep your shoes on your feet temporarily, according to Kauai Hiking Tours.
If you don’t have a fishing pole, you can make a quick one out of floss and a branch, Kauai Hiking Tours claims. Just fashion a hook and tie it to the end of the floss line, which should be strong enough to pull in most fish you’ll find in a pond or stream.
Waxed dental floss burns easily, so it can be used to start a fire if you ball up the thread into a bundle. Or use waxed floss to tie together small dry twigs for kindling, Kauai Hiking Tours suggests.
If the frames of your eyeglasses break, a piece of dental floss can be used to lash the separated pieces together. You can also use a piece of floss like a necklace. Just tie the floss around the earpieces so you can carry your glasses around your neck without losing them, according to online magazine LifeHacker.
Editor's Note: This story, originally published May 11, , has been updated to reflect new information.
This type of dental floss features a wax-coated thread, resulting in a slightly thicker thread compared to traditional dental floss. Waxed floss is renowned for gliding easier and smoother through the tight spaces between your teeth. Given its alleviating properties, this option is frequently favoured by individuals experiencing tooth sensitivity or whose gums are prone to bleeding.
However, the smoother surface due to the wax also represents a notable drawback: Food debris and dental plaque adhere less effectively to waxed floss, often resulting in their incomplete removal. In addition, smaller particles of wax can occasionally get stuck between your teeth and cause a disagreeable sensation.
PTFE stands for polytetrafluoroethylene – better known as Teflon. The thread is coated with this substance.
Our DF 820 PTFE dental tape is, therefore, extra tear resistant and slides easily through tight interdental spaces. The disadvantage is that PTFE-coated dental floss is not exactly sustainable. So, always remember to dispose of used dental floss in household waste and not out in the open; no matter how small the threads might be.
Unwaxed dental floss is not as smooth as its waxed counterpart but offers a superior overall grip. Consequently, its cleaning efficacy is slightly better, too. This is mainly because unwaxed floss frays a little when threaded through teeth, enabling greater adherence of food debris and dental plaque. However, there is a potential risk of small fibres of floss becoming lodged between your teeth.
Dental tape is somewhat wider than conventional dental floss. It is, however, relatively flat. Many people opt for dental tape as it is a little easier to handle than the small, thin threads. The tape version also cuts into the palms and fingers less and is thus more pleasant to use.
Superfloss is a dental floss with expanding fibres. This makes the thread more fleecy than normal dental floss. It is, therefore, often used for wider interdental spaces. However, in these cases, we recommend utilising interdental brushes instead. Studies have demonstrated their superior efficacy in cleaning interdental spaces compared to dental floss.
Flossing can prove difficult at times. We have compiled the main challenges –- and their solutions – for you:
Do not worry: This is a good sign! It means that the floss has effectively removed food debris and dental plaque from between your interdental spaces. The thread likely collects and retains the food debris and dental plaque, causing the floss to develop a malodour. What causes the removed food debris on the dental floss to smell so bad? The unpleasant odour is a result of organic decomposition processes initiated by the bacteria responsible for dental decay. Regular cleaning of the interdental spaces is likely to diminish the intensity of the odour over time.
Actually, your gums should not bleed during or after flossing. However, if they do, it could be a sign of gum disease (gingivitis). Insufficient oral hygiene is typically responsible for such inflammation. But not cleaning your interdental spaces because of bleeding gums leads to a detrimental cycle: Food particles continue to accumulate in the gaps. Plaque develops, gradually transforming into tartar, which often leads to gingivitis.
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Another reason for bleeding gums might be that you exert too much force when pulling the thread of dental floss through the contact points of your teeth. This can happen very quickly with dental floss, basically making you lose complete control of the pressure of the thread on the contact point when using it. Interdental brushes are, therefore, a superior choice for cleaning the spaces between your teeth. They offer greater ease of use, gentler cleaning and reduced complexity and have a proven track record of higher effectiveness.
And most importantly: Always consult your dentist if you are experiencing bleeding gums. A dentist should be your first point of contact.
While not particularly harmful, dental floss stuck between your teeth can be somewhat unpleasant and annoying. Due to the significant inconvenience caused by even the tiniest of particles being stuck in the interdental spaces, people often resort to reckless measures, such as poking around with a toothpick, using the harder bristles of their toothbrush or even employing their fingernails. None of these are a good idea. As they all put you at risk of damaging your gums.
If a piece of floss becomes lodged in an interdental space, carefully attempt to dislodge it with a thin interdental brush. If this proves ineffective, do not hesitate to get in touch with your dentist for assistance. Your dentist can provide the necessary help and save you from experimenting on your own teeth.
Using interdental brushes is the best way to prevent dental floss from getting lodged between your teeth in the first place. They gently clean the interdental spaces with their soft bristles, eliminating the risk of fibres becoming trapped.
A familiar issue to the many people who use dental floss: After fighting your way through to the back molars with the thin thread and successfully inserting it between two tightly spaced teeth, it decides to tear, unfortunately. Quite annoying since you cannot continue flossing with such short threads. With a bit of luck, there is no floss stuck between your teeth.
The best way to avoid this mishap is to make sure that the piece of floss you are using is always about 30 centimetres long. By doing so, you can wrap the ends around your fingers multiple times, ensuring a secure grip. This may also help to prevent the dental floss from tearing so quickly.
If the gaps between your teeth are extremely narrow, it can prevent floss from passing through them. In this case, switching from an unwaxed dental floss to a waxed one could be worth a try. These threads are designed to glide more smoothly through narrow contact points. This also holds true for dental tape.
However, waxed dental floss incorporates a slight risk of small wax particles becoming lodged between your teeth and causing discomfort.
Although rare, there is a chance of accidentally swallowing a piece of floss, especially if it tears or if particles of floss become dislodged from your teeth later on. Generally, you should stay calm when this happens. The piece of dental floss will pass through your body naturally and be eliminated through bowel movements.
But take note: In theory, there is a possibility that a piece of dental floss could enter your windpipe and potentially reach the lungs. If you suddenly experience shortness of breath or persistent coughing, you should seek medical assistance immediately. At hospital, X-rays can be taken to determine whether the floss is responsible for the discomfort you are experiencing. If so, a doctor may need to employ a bronchoscope to extract the floss from your airway.
Flossing is not as easy as it seems at first glance. Consequently, patients often have numerous questions regarding this procedure. We have answered the most frequently asked ones for you below.
Implants require diligent care and cleaning equivalent to that of natural teeth. They are also susceptible to tartar build-up. Moreover, it is essential to remember that an implant typically interfaces with at least one side of a healthy natural tooth, necessitating protection against dental decay.
For individuals with implants, opting for a specialised dental floss, such as our DF 846 Implant-Saver, is recommended.
Retainers are thin wires bonded to the inner surface of the teeth. They are used after fixed braces treatment and are designed to stabilise the teeth and prevent further shifting. Removable retainers, resembling traditional removable braces, are also available.
Even with a fixed retainer, it is crucial to attend to your interdental spaces daily. You can care for them as you would normally and utilise tools such as dental floss. The same applies here: Use dental floss correctly. Exercising a bit more caution is advisable to prevent any potential harm to yourself or damage to the retainer. You can also try a specialised floss threader to see if it helps.
If in doubt, seek advice from your orthodontist or dentist.
With fixed braces, you will most probably encounter problems flossing. The wires make it difficult to access all the interdental spaces. In this case, it is better to use an interdental brush. Using the gentle brushes, you can easily clean your teeth even with fixed braces. They effectively navigate beneath the wires as well.
No. Tartar sticks to teeth like cement, thus requiring professional dental cleaning to effectively remove it. Under no circumstances should you do it yourself. Even dental floss will simply slip past the hard tartar. Flossing proves beneficial solely as a preventive measure. Since tartar always develops from plaque that has not been removed properly. So, always make sure to remove plaque from your teeth on a regular basis. The most effective way to do this is with interdental brushes. They even get into the smallest nooks and crannies of your interdental spaces.
Following a professional dental cleaning session, it is quite normal for your gums and teeth to be a bit more sensitive for a couple of days. Should this be the case, exercise caution when cleaning your interdental spaces.
If you have particles of food stuck in your teeth in the first few days that bother you a lot, we recommend using a thin interdental brush and gently attempting to remove the food.
Many people wonder whether dental floss can be taken on board a plane in your hand luggage. After all, the floss packaging typically features a small cutting edge designed for separating the thread. The answer is: Yes. This cutting surface is irrelevant and harmless.
Besides using dental floss correctly, you should also always dispose of it properly. Never forget: Conventional dental floss is generally not environmentally sustainable. Meaning, it is imperative to dispose of every thread, regardless of its size, in household waste.
The threads should never go down the drain or be flushed down the toilet, for instance. They can clog pipes. And this can be quite costly. Since the tapes or threads, predominantly composed of durable plastic, maintain their integrity and structure even after several years. Untangling such a knot is typically impossible without professional assistance.
This can actually work! Just try out whether dental floss helps you combat frizzy hair. To do so, take about 20 centimetres of dental floss and stretch it directly over your hairline at the crown. Now pull the thread of floss tightly against your head in a downward motion. This should help to detangle and smooth out your hair, somewhat. However, for this to work properly, your hair needs to be dry.
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