Oral Care 101: Floss vs Tape - How to Choose
At Desert Essence, our plant-powered dental flosses and tapes use sustainably sourced beeswax to glide through tough-to-clean areas and pure Australian tea tree oil to help keep bacteria at bay. But what exactly is the difference between dental floss vs. dental tape? Here’s your quick 101 course on the how-to's of dental flossing and choosing the right tool for you.
What Is the Difference Between Dental Floss and Dental Tape?
Flossing is a critical step in every oral care routine. Before brushing your teeth, you want to floss to help minimize plaque buildup as you dislodge food particles and bacteria. And, not to mention, flossing is great for freshening your breath, too! When incorporating flossing into your oral care routine, you generally have two options: dental floss and dental tape. Here’s what you need to know about each of these dental tools.
What Is Dental Floss?
Dental floss is a long, thin nylon strand that you can use to get into tight spaces between your teeth. It’s often coated in beeswax to help you glide between teeth and tough-to-reach places. You might find it in different flavors to help spruce up your breath; Desert Essence's Dental Floss comes in Tea Tree Oil and Neem Cinnamint for a minty freshness, courtesy of mint oil.
What Is Dental Tape?
In contrast to dental floss, dental tape features a broad and flat shape, so it has a ribbon-like appearance. It can be waxed or unwaxed as well. Desert Essence's Tea Tree Oil Dental Tape is waxed and will leave your breath minty fresh.
Which Is Better: Dental Floss or Dental Tape?
How Do You Decide Which One Is Best for You?
Desert Essence dental flosses and tapes share similar plant-based ingredients and features to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Plus, both are made to be vegetarian and cruelty free. But because of their different shapes, you might wonder if one is better than the other. Whether you should pick up dental floss or tape depends on your needs and preferences.
Here's how it boils down: Because of its streamlined shape, dental floss is helpful for those whose teeth are closer together. Alternatively, dental tape may be better for those who have wider gaps between their teeth. Because it tends to be thinner than floss, it may also be helpful for those with sensitive gums.
Dental Care Routine
Flossing is widely recommended for a proper dental routine that helps you keep your gums and teeth healthy. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to use dental floss (or tape), which you generally want to use before brushing your teeth:
- Pull approximately 18” (45 cm) of floss.
- Wind around fingers and hold tautly. Leave an inch or two to work with.
- Gently guide floss between teeth and gums using an up-and-down motion. Be sure to curve around the base of each tooth and clean beneath the gumline.
- Repeat, using a clean section between each tooth.
Before brushing your teeth, you can also oil pull or use a brushing rinse. Then, brush with your favorite toothpaste and follow that with refreshing mouthwash.
For a sparkling smile and healthy mouth, incorporate Desert Essence dental floss or tape into your everyday oral care routine!