While all patients are encouraged to adopt daily flossing into their oral hygiene routines, very few are able to commit. Only 10%-21% of the American population flosses daily. Flossing is important in removing plaque from between teeth to prevent cavities and prevent gum and periodontal disease. While the reason for flossing is simple, the excuses of why patients don’t floss are numerous and often lengthy and complicated.

 

Rather than boycotting flossing, and subsequently cleaning in between your teeth, it is important to find an alternative. Many dental professionals do not offer floss alternatives to their patients, as floss is the "gold" standard. However, many great products exist today that when used properly in conjunction with proper brushing can be just as effective as flossing.

 

Before we talk about the different types of interdental products available, let’s first talk about embrasure space. Say WHAT?!
The embrasure space is the space between teeth, also called the interdental area.

These spaces are classified as three types: