The importance of maintaining dental hygiene is known to one and all. You need to keep your teeth clean to prevent them from bacterial infections and keep them healthy. Brushing and flossing are the best way to keep your teeth clean. Dentists recommend brushing and flossing your teeth regularly to prevent any dental issues.

Usually brushing removes most of the entrapped food particles and other debris from your teeth, however, the brush’s bristles cannot reach some places and you need to use floss or dental tape to clean those areas of your teeth.

Usually, dental floss and tape have to do the same function. But still, there is a debate on floss vs tape. Some people say floss is good and some prefer tapes for cleaning their teeth. The only way to find which one is better is to check the differences between the two. Let’s check the key differences between them that are related to their usage, structure, benefits, etc.

1. Difference in Their Shape 

Whenever you talk about dental floss vs dental tape, you must start comparing them based on their shape or structure. Dental floss is a thread-like thin string made up of plastic or nylon polymers. It is round and very thin. It can easily enter the gaps between your teeth and tend to remove any particle present there. 

Dental tapes are made up of almost similar material as dental flosses. However, it is not a round or thread-like structure. As it is clear from its name, it is flat like a ribbon or tape. The function and usage of dental tapes also resemble floss and you don’t have to do anything special when using dental tapes.

They may be flat but are thin enough to reach the places that are not cleaned by brushing or using mouthwash.

2. When You Need to Use Floss?

You need to floss your teeth every day in order to keep them clean. There are not some specific conditions when you have to floss. Every day before going to bed, it is best to floss your teeth.

Flossing can also be done after a meal especially when you feel small food particles are entrapped in your teeth. Flossing will help to keep your teeth away from different types of oral disorders. Plaque removal can also be done via dental flossing. 

3. When Do You Need to Use Dental Tape Instead of Floss?

You must be thinking why is there any need to use dental tapes when floss can do the same job? Let’s try to find the answer by going through the conditions under which dental tapes are preferred over flosses for tooth cleaning.

3.1. Sensitive Gums 

If you have sensitive gums, it may be hard for you to use floss. Floss can cause your gums to pain and even bleed. The flatter ends of dental tapes are less harsh on gums. Therefore, it is easy for you to clean your teeth using tape.

3.2. After Dental Treatment 

Several dental treatments result in increasing the sensitivity of your teeth and gums. Similarly, you may experience pain as well, especially after surgical processes. Flossing under such conditions can impact your overall dental health. It may slow down the recovery process.

However, you cannot keep your teeth unnoticed. Therefore, you must opt for dental tapes. They are flat and less harsh on your teeth and gums.

3.4. Teeth Polishing 

You can also get specialized dental tape for polishing. These dental tapes have some special cleaning and polishing material over them. Using them will help you to get shining teeth along with proper cleanliness and removal of bacteria. You can use them just like ordinary floss or tape.

4. Using Dental Floss and Dental Tapes 

Using dental tapes and flosses is similar. You need to cut a 15 to 20-cm long part of dental floss or tape. Wrap both ends of it around your middle fingers. Then tighten it using your thumb and you are ready to floss your teeth.

You simply have to enter the floss or tape in gaps between teeth, wrap it around teeth, and then move it there to remove any debris or entrapped food particles. Repeat the process for all your teeth.

5. Benefits of Using Dental Floss and Tapes

Following are the key benefits that are associated with using dental flosses and tapes.

• It helps you to deep clean your teeth. Both dental tape and floss can reach narrow places where a brush cannot and help you to clean these places. 

• Deep cleaning provided by dental flossing helps you to maintain good oral health as your teeth remain protected from bacterial infections.

• One of the major benefits of flossing is the control of serious dental disorders such as tooth decay or even oral cancer.

6. FAQs Related to Dental Floss and Tapes 

Q. What is dental floss used for?

A. Dental floss is used to clean narrow spaces between your teeth that are unreachable by your toothbrush.

Q. What is the dental tape used for?

A. The function of dental tape is similar to that of floss. However, they are mostly used when you have sensitive gums as they are less harsh on your gums as compared to floss. Special dental tapes can also be used for teeth polishing.

Q. Is floss good for your gums?

A. Usually, floss is good for your gums as it prevents them from several disorders by removing tartar and plaque. However, if you have sensitive gums, you must prefer dental tape over floss to prevent bleeding and pain.

Q. Is it OK to only floss once a week?

A. You need to floss your teeth every day. So, it’s not OK to floss them only once a week. Make sure to floss them on a regular basis.

Bottom Line 

You must have understood the differences between dental floss and tape. The key difference is only in the conditions under which you use them. Benefits and using methods are almost similar. It doesn’t matter if you use floss or dental tape, just keep on flossing regularly as it is important for your good oral health.