Dental floss is a thin filament typically made of nylon or polyethylene. These filaments are coated with various substances to enhance their performance and ease of use. The specific ingredients and coatings can vary among different brands and types of dental floss, but here are some common examples:
Wax
Many dental flosses are coated with wax, usually a blend of natural waxes like beeswax or synthetic waxes like paraffin. The wax coating helps the floss glide smoothly between teeth and prevents it from fraying or shredding.
Annimal wax: Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees. It is a common ingredient used to coat dental floss due to its desirable properties. When used as a coating on dental floss, beeswax provides several benefits:
- Smooth gliding: Beeswax has a smooth and lubricating texture, allowing the dental floss to glide easily between teeth without causing discomfort or fraying.
- Strength and durability: Beeswax helps strengthen the dental floss, making it less likely to break or shred during use.
- Moisture resistance: Beeswax is relatively water-resistant, which helps maintain the integrity of the dental floss even in moist environments like the mouth.
- Natural origin: Beeswax is derived from bees and is considered a natural ingredient, appealing to those who prefer products with minimal synthetic additives.
The beeswax coating on dental floss contributes to its effectiveness in removing plaque and debris from between teeth and along the gumline. It enhances the flossing experience by making the floss easier to maneuver and more comfortable to use.
Plant wax: Candelilla wax is a natural wax derived from the leaves of the candelilla shrub (Euphorbia cerifera), which is native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. The wax is extracted by boiling the leaves and stems of the plant and then refining the resulting residue. In dental floss manufacturing, it is sometimes used as an alternative to other waxes, such as beeswax or paraffin wax, for coating the floss. Candelilla wax provides a smooth and protective layer, helping the floss glide easily between teeth.
Flavorings
Some dental flosses have added flavorings to make the flossing experience more pleasant. Common flavors include mint, cinnamon, or fruit. These flavorings are typically artificial and non-caloric.
You can choose to add different ingredients to meet the diverse needs of different customers!
Except the above we can also add different flavor as the following:
Fluoride
Certain dental flosses may be coated with fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening the enamel and making it more resistant to acid attacks. The fluoride coating on dental floss can provide additional protection to the areas between teeth.
Antimicrobial agents
Some dental flosses contain antimicrobial agents like chlorhexidine or essential oils. These substances help inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, reducing plaque formation and gum disease.
Silver ion
Silver ion naturally has the active defense function against bacteria and directly inhibits bacteria. It can also relieve gum swelling and pain, and has high cleaning efficiency. In addition to the action offriction agent and freshener, it also has a drug effect: treating gum bleeding, loose teeth, Alveolar bone atrophy.
CPC
CPC is called “Cetylpyridinium Chloride”, which kills bacteria and other microorganisms, effectively prevents plaque and reduces gingivitis.
Silica
It has a wear resistance coefficient matching the teeth, which reduces the wear of the teeth and increases the whiteness of the teeth. The dental floss silicone has excellent storage stabilizer, especially to improve the stability of fluoride in the anti-caries dental floss, it is the most suitable.
Chlorhexidine
Chlorhexidine is a broad-spectrum fungicide that binds to salivary glycoproteins, reducing the amount of protein adsorbed on the tooth surface and interfering with plaque formation. Moreover,the purpose of preventing and reducing periodontal disease can be achieved.
It’s important to note that not all dental flosses have all of these additional coatings or treatments. The specific coatings or treatments will vary among different brands and types of dental floss. Always check the packaging or consult the manufacturer to determine the exact coatings or treatments present in a particular dental floss product.
