Should You Ever Reuse Dental Floss?
Posted on: 23 June 2018
Concerns about waste and litter have led people to try to reduce waste drastically. Plastic and other non-biodegradable waste like dental floss is a particular issue, and that has made some people wonder about reusing dental floss. The reasoning is that they can wash it so that it's clean and won't transfer bacteria back into the mouth. However, it's not that simple.
You Reuse Nylon Toothbrushes, Right?
One argument is that most floss is made of nylon, and toothbrush bristles are made of nylon, so if you can wash and reuse toothbrushes, why can't you do the same for floss? For starters, the bristles in a brush are much thicker and stiffer than floss. It's like comparing a solid plastic cup with a paper cup -- the plastic cup won't deteriorate if you wash it over and over, but the paper cup will disintegrate pretty quickly.
That floss will shred after a couple of uses, if not after the first time. Floss that's meant for sensitive gums -- this is soft, fibrous floss -- tends to shred immediately, and even waxed floss can split.
What's worse is that the splits can harbor bacteria that stay out of reach of water when you try to wash the floss. Plus, the wax coating on some flosses isn't a hard layer. It can trap bacteria, too.
Are You Really Washing the Floss Correctly?
Even floss that hasn't split is questionable. You don't know how well you're really washing it, given how flexible it is. Because this floss fits under the gumline, and it can come into contact with your blood if your gums bleed a bit, you're opening yourself up to a bacterial infection if you reuse the floss.
How and Where Will You Dry It?
Then you have the problem of how and where you'll dry the floss. If you're flossing properly, you should have a pretty good-sized length of floss, which means you need room to lay it out as it dries. Then you have to be aware of what comes into contact with the floss as it dries; are other people in the house touching it and moving it, and are their hands clean? Is the floss kept near the toilet? (If so, remember to close the lid before flushing.)
It's much easier to use new floss, especially with the increasing use of recyclable materials in the packaging. If you are still concerned about waste, though, see your dentist to discuss options. To learn more, visit Northwest Dental Services and Implant Center.
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