Do Floss Picks Cause Spaces Between the Teeth or Black Triangles?

Many people have switched to floss picks instead of traditional dental floss, but do they increase your risk of black triangles or spaces between the teeth?

Dr. Joseph Nemeth answers this commonly asked question about floss picks.

In most cases, soft picks or inter proximal cleaners DO NOT cause black triangles or gaps between your teeth. We recommend interdental cleaners to most of our patients.

Some patients have larger spaces between the teeth and others have smaller spaces. For those with larger spaces its best to use a larger inter proximal brushes. Vice versa, for those with smaller spaces may be better off with a tiny soft pick advanced. There are even smaller instruments available for those with extremely tight spaces. In those cases, traditional dental floss might be the best bet.

In addition, some patients may find better luck using a Waterpik or Water Flosser. It all depends on whats most comfortable & effective for you.

The only time that a space or a black triangle may appear is if the patient has swollen gums or inflamed gum tissue. If you have inflamed or infected gum tissue, the soft picks may help get the tissue healthier and less swollen.

Once the gum swelling goes down, then it may reveal a space between the tooth that wasn't there previously. It is EXTREMELY important to clean between your teeth as often as possible because that is where gum disease starts!

The great thing about these floss picks is that they are easy to use and the spaces between the teeth can be cleaned quickly and frequently. That is going to be the best way to prevent gum disease and stop gum m swelling and inflamed gum tissue in its tracks!

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please visit our website

We are happy to help you.

#BlackTriangles #FlossPicks

Joseph R. Nemeth DDS & Associates
29829 Telegraph Road # 111
Southfield, MI 48034
[phone]

We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid at our office.
We require that a deposit be made prior to your appointment in order to reserve your time.

The information contained in the multimedia content (“Video Content”) has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS & Associates does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the Video Content. Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS & Associates does not warrant the performance, effectiveness or applicability of any sites listed or linked to in any Video Content. The Video Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on the Site. Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS & Associates hereby disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the Video Content, which is provided as is, and without warranties.

[SKYrise]

I use the soft picks all the time! Thanks for reassuring me that they’re safe and effective 🙏🏼

[melistudio]

Thank you for this video!!! I am reassured because since I started using them, the black triangles appeared! I am glad to know they mean my gums are healthier!!

[goingaboutmyfathersbusines]

I absolutely believe they do...I didn't have any triangles..till I started using them..I stopped using them..and went back dental floss

[bjoy]

I think it does…I kept suing the tooth pick and ended up bone loss or spaces

[brodenmacarthur]

I can actually just feel the space since using these. But I use these more often.

[JMerk]

If I have been flossing too hard/wrong causing the black triangles do I just give it a break and let them heal? I think I’ve been accidentally flossing in the middle rather than each side of the tooth.

[mauve]

I tried this between my molars it hurt like hell

[phuongbigbig]

Hi Doctor, thank you for your informative video. I would like to share some points, I have used interdental floss with metal core and they are actually not beneficial. In particular, the metal rod of the floss can crush against the enamel inside the teeth's gap and gradually destroy these layers since metal is much more harder, hence this causes further problems like high sensitivity, fracture or decay. I think it is better to use other plastic-based tools or the water jet floss.

[reteteusoarecuralu]

Tks for helping us with precious information!

[takezomiyamoto]

when should them be disposed and why? I heard people saying after 1 use, but cant' see why... the material seems intact, clean, and effective.

[westfieldartworks]

Thank you Dr. Nemeth. By the way, I followed your career with the Jets for years. Glad to see you finally got into dentistry and out of football. It's much safer. Cheers.

[cassandragalvan]

Can you do a video on toothpastes you recommend for whitening or sensitive teeth?

[chef]

Just use them. Yes you may get the triangles, but continues gum disease is worse.

[yeedig]

I got the LANAP treatment on ONE of my teeth because just that one spot was inflamed and a deep clean didn’t do anything. After getting LANAP it removed gum tissue and now I have a black triangle and I hate how it looks. I wouldn’t mind as much if it were a back tooth, but it is my front tooth, dead center where it is easily visible and now I’m self conscious about it. I wasn’t told it would give me this and now I have to look for ANOTHER procedure to cover the black triangle. My periodontist said I won’t grow back gum tissue. I’ve been doing research and some sites say LANAP grows back tissue some say it doesn’t. Can you answer that question? Also if that is the case that it won’t grow back, I kinda regret getting LANAP.

[DSauve]

Please a new video about black triangles and how to fix them? Ipr? Bonding ?

[InJusticeAustralia]

Brilliant video. I’m grateful for the details. But, having just found out I’ve got bone loss (& pain associated with it) I’m now scared about what to do.

Can anyone that KNOWS please tell me: If there’s bone loss caused by gum disease, and the bacteria causing it is killed off, & the gums come good again, can the bone regrow?
Or is it permanent?

And what about if the tooth is pulled out where the bone loss & pain is- will that stop the pain? And Will it make the bone loss worse?? And will that start any other problems? Like a domino affect of teeth coming loose, or even more bone loss?

Thanks in advance for all decent comments.

[frankmontez]

I just started about a week ago with them and the first ones Ive used were the ones with nylon bristles with aluminum stems and they weaken very quickly and broke off in my teeth . I like the triangular all plastice ones by G.U.M. or the ones by Walmart the Equate generic brand all plastic . Yes I do realize they're one time use recommended but I use them several times

[SoulcatcherLucario]

hi doctor! i just got my braces off yesterday, and my gums are a bit puffy. i was told that this was normal and not to worry about it (especially since i had maintained a solid oral hygiene regiment, even though i have to do everything one handed). it's definitely not the worst, but how can i expedite the swelling to go down? i currently use salt-water rinses and interdental brushes, but do you recommend anything else?

[hellencatt]

Thanks for this precious information, Kenya pap

[essem]

Hi thanks for the video! Really informative. So should I not worry about the little black hole ive really noticed between my front teeth? All my other teeth have gum in between. I was told 4 months ago by my dentist that my front teeth have suffered acid erosion ( I drank a lot of soda). But they are still " white" in colour ( with erosion noticable if you look really closely).

This recent sighting of a black hole/space is worrying me though! Can send a picture privately if you need to see exactly what I am talking about .

Thanks again!