If you’ve ever shopped for dental floss – and you really should – you may have noticed that there are two varieties of nylon floss sold: waxed and unwaxed. Although most people prefer the sturdiness of floss coated in wax, many find that the added layer of wax can sometimes be difficult to comfortably fit in between the teeth. For people with crowded, very tightly-spaced teeth, the unwaxed dental floss might prove to be easier to use.

Another consideration when comparing waxed vs. unwaxed floss is flavoring. Waxed flosses often have flavorings added to them which, depending on your preference, could be a good or bad thing. If you prefer your floss unflavored, then you may opt for unwaxed floss.

One final note on waxed floss is that the coating is made of PFC, which helps the floss slide between the teeth easier. However, some people are concerned about the safety risks that come with PFC as there are some chemicals in that category that are suspected to cause health issues.

Whichever type of floss you prefer, it will work effectively in cleaning the spaces between your teeth. There is however one exception to this: people with braces. If you have braces, it would be best to use waxed dental floss. Without the wax coating for protection, unwaxed floss could end up getting shredded during flossing, resulting in thin strands of floss getting tangled with the braces.