I don’t think there is a need to describe what floss is. We all know it, and love to hate it. However, for those with healthy gums, Type I embrasure spaces, flossing is the best and most effective interdental aid….so learn to love it! There are more verities, textures, flavors and brands of floss than there are stars in the sky. As long as you are using some kind, any kind, you are a step ahead.

Well, I would floss…BUT my hands are too big and I can’t possibly fit them in my mouth to floss, let alone reach the back teeth. I’ve heard this one a million times. For you—we have the floss holder. Floss holders hold floss at the right tension so you can avoid needing to wrap the floss around your fingers and stick your hands in your mouth. There are a few types of floss holders available on the market.

Used alone (Super Floss) or in conjunction with regular floss (floss threader) these tools help to clean around fixed appliances. Made of a flexible plastic, and resembling a sewing needle, the floss threader has a loop at the end where you string regular floss. The plastic allows you to direct the floss into/around/under any tight spaces while still being flexible enough to glide through. Super Floss is a long strand that has the floss threader essentially connected to the floss already. It has a stiff end (not plastic) followed by an stretch of tufted, thick floss and eventually leads into a strand of traditional style floss.

Everyone knows what a toothpick is. Many people use them to clean large chunks of food from their teeth after a meal. Toothpicks are an o.k. way to remove plaque from the front of the interdental space, but only in those with a Type III embrasure. If you are trying to poke a toothpick into a space too small, it can end up damaging your gum tissue. Stim-U Dent is also a form of wooden toothpick. Unlike a traditional toothpick, the Stim-U Dent is triangular in shape and has a tapered angle at one end. The design of this pick allows it to better fit in interdental areas. Still, these are best used for Type III embrasures but may work for some Type II spaces.

These are the most popular interdental aid and common alternative to floss. Due to their notable appearance, when I was younger, I referred to them as “Christmas tree brushes.” These brushes are small nylon bristles situated into a thin wire, or plastic coated wire. Proxy brushes are available in a wide range of shapes (conical and tapered) and widths. These are good for either Type II or Type III embrasure spaces, as long as you are using the proper size. When choosing a size, pick a brush that is slightly larger in diameter than the space to be cleaned. Proxy brushes are also useful in cleaning around different appliances such as orthodontics, bridges, implants and crowns.

Rubber tip stimulators are ideal for open (Type III) embrasures. The rubber tip will not only remove plaque but will also stimulate blood flow in the gum tissue, promoting healing.

A newer product made by Gum, these can be used in almost any embrasure type, even Type I! Similar in concept to a proxy brush, but in a more compact, pick form. These have flexible rubber bristles which, in a recent clinical study have shown to be as effective as string floss in removing interproximal plaque.

Also known as water floss or oral irrigator, the Waterpik works wonders for many who don’t and won’t floss. Waterpik works to deliver pulsed irrigation to the teeth both above and below the gumline. Waterpik is good for any type of embrasure space, however, those with Type II or III will benefit greatly due to the likelihood they have periodontal pockets. Traditional floss will only reach about 3mm under the gums, water floss, on the other hand can reach up to 6mm. For those with periodontal disease (bone loss) Waterpik is essential.

AirFloss by Sonicare delivers bursts of air and mircodroplets of water into the interdental area to clear away plaque. This appeals greatly to younger kids and adolescents who rebel against traditional flossing.