What is the difference between Superfloss, floss threaders, floss picks and dental floss?

May 25, 2019

  

What is Superfloss?

Superfloss was created by oral health brand Oral-B, to help you clean your teeth and gums when you have braces, implants, bridges or wide gaps between teeth. Like threaders, it consists of a stiff end, making it easy to insert between braces and under retainers. Attached to the stiffened end is a spongy floss for removing plaque, followed by regular floss for your standard flossing. Superfloss comes in pre-cut strands so you won’t ever use too much or too little.

What are floss threaders?

If you’ve had braces, then you are probably quite familiar with floss threaders. These are like little flexible plastic needles that have an eye for fitting floss through. The threaders help you insert floss between braces and under bridges and retainers, so you don’t have to neglect properly cleaning your teeth due to orthodontic work. The main difference between a threader and superfloss is that with a threader you have to purchase your own floss separately.

What are floss picks?

The ease of use of dental floss picks may encourage the floss-hesitant to make more of a habit of this important oral hygiene routine. Floss picks, or floss sticks, consist of a small handle for gripping, attached to a flosser made of two end posts. The end posts serve as a floss holder, with a small string of floss suspended between each post. A floss pick cannot be used to get under braces, bridges and retainers, but it can make harder-to-reach areas easier to floss. It can also be beneficial if you have arthritis, or difficulty using your hands or fingers.

Dental floss

Dental floss is simply a thread of thin filaments made to clean between teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Each of the above items features dental floss, with add-ons that might make flossing more appealing, convenient or enjoyable. Since standard dental floss doesn’t have a stiffened end, like superfloss or a floss threader, it can’t be used to get under braces, bridges and retainers. But due to its flexibility, some dentists prefer it over floss picks as the best way to floss, for its ability to reach every angle around your gum line.

Summary

Let’s summarize this information about the different ways of flossing teeth, so you can make find the best dental floss based on your needs:

Superfloss
• Pre-cut threads
• Includes floss, spongey floss and stiffened end
• Use for: braces, retainers, bridges, implants

Floss threaders
• Stiffened end for use with retainers, bridges and braces
• Floss must be bought separately

Floss picks
• Easy-to-use grip handle
• Not ideal for use with braces, retainers and bridges

Dental floss
• Cord made of slim filaments
• Not ideal for use with braces, retainers and bridges

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