Patient regularly asks us which floss is the best for them.

Questions can be:

1. Flossing is too fiddly and are there alternatives?
2. Is it ok to just use the little brush between teeth as I’m used to it and which size is best?
3. whether water flosser is any good.

We are very happy to receive question like this because it shows that our patient want to make sure they care for themself to the best standard under professional guidance. Rule of thumb: any attempt to clean between your teeth is better than nothing. Traditional floss is the cheapest and most effective once you practiced enough.

No one solution can fit all. It is thus  a very personal decision when it come to choosing the right instrument/tool to clean between your teeth.

If your dexterity or your fingers are too big for your mouth with the traditional string/floss that you need to wrap around your fingers on both hands, you may try the flosset/dental flosser (image below is for TEPE, there are generic name products available). This allow you to use just one hand to clean. These can be reused and are cheap to buy (Reject Shop, Chemist Warehouse, Daiso, etc).

Some patients are fond of little brushes that they can use between their teeth because they are easier to use (image below is from Piksters, can you buy generic version from same shops mentioned above). Yes you can continue to use these. You can choose the size that can fit comfortably between your teeth without much pressure or traumatize your gum. They are more expensive than floss and flosser. Please be mindful that putting this brush in and out between your teeth once may not bring an excellent result as your teeth are round and has curves. Practice bring excellence.

Water flosser has becoming more popular lately and there’re many brands and size and prices. Choose one with enough water storage for use without disruption, not too expensive and can be recharged. The last one I tried cost mid $70 and lasts me around a year. This is a more expensive option and again, practice make excellence.