Be a Floss Boss on National Flossing Day

Thanksgiving weekend is a perfect time to begin or continue a regular flossing routine. In fact, the day after (Nov. 27) is National Flossing Day! 

Like many people, you probably spend at least part of Thanksgiving focused on eating. Sometimes there’s pie, sometimes there’s turkey, sometimes there’s greens, and then you’ll likely repeat the whole menu on Friday when you enjoy the leftovers.
 
Studies suggest roughly 50 percent of us don’t floss daily as recommended. Yet, taking time to do so is an important part of your oral health routine. It’s the single best way to remove plaque from areas between teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach.
 
Curious about your flossing options? Here are details you may not know:
 
Unwaxed nylon dental floss on a spool is probably the most common type, but it’s just one of the many options available. Nylon floss is made up of multiple fibers all wound together. Here are a few others:
 

• Waxed nylon dental floss is similar to regular nylon dental floss, but it slides more easily between teeth than uncoated floss.
• Plastic monofilament floss seems to be preferred by people in some consumer studies (even though it is more expensive) because the single fiber doesn’t shred as easily as multi-fiber nylon floss.
• Dental tape is extra-wide floss that is helpful for cleaning wide spaces between teeth.
• Wooden plaque remover picks are flat, wooden picks that stimulate the gums and remove plaque. Some people find them easier to use than traditional floss.
• A floss holder is a Y-shaped plastic tool that holds a length of floss between two prongs. It can make flossing easier for people who have trouble manipulating the floss, such as children and older adults.