Do you need a bit of a nudge to give your teeth a good daily flossing? Well, we take a look at the latest dental product the magazines and reviewers are raving about…
The women making flossing a treat
Catherine and Chrystle Cu are the two sisters behind the not-so-new dental product that is taking the fashion industry by storm – dental floss!
The duo founded Cocofloss as a way to transform flossing from something people are told to do into a pleasurable, luxury experience.
The first step was by replacing the usual Gore-Tex fibre found in floss with an expanding, sponge-like material comprising 500 polyester filaments and a light, microcrystalline wax.
The intent? To produce an easier, more comfortable experience.
In the words of Chrystle Cu, a former dental hygienist, “No one thinks of an exfoliating face wash as a chore […] It’s a delight, a treat; you took some time to take care of yourself. Why can’t flossing be just as fun?”
What does it do?
Aside from cleaning interdentally, Cocofloss has the advantage of turning from blue to yellow where it meets plaque, so users can see the results of their flossing.
The Cu sisters have also used bright, eye-catching packaging over traditional clinical-looking branding to make a product that looks as at-home in a handbag as a trendy lip balm. And they’ve infused their floss with ultra-fashionable flavours such as coconut, mint, strawberries and orange.
According to the creators, coconut oil isn’t just tapping into the current trend. It also acts as a lubricant and has antibacterial properties ideal for a dental hygiene product, something touted by those who practice ‘coconut oil pulling’.
Clever branding or a new dawn for dental floss?
The rise of Cocofloss might be as much about clever marketing as it is any design innovation. But if bold and trendy-looking packaging urging users to combat a ‘sad’ and ‘stinky’ mouth in favour of a ‘happy’ one makes flossing seem more approachable and less scary or complicated – we’re all for it.
Of course, this isn’t the first product to try and make flossing easier…or more marketable.
Water picks or jet flossers are readily available which direct a stream of water at your teeth to remove trapped food without having to do it the manual way. Of course, the downside is you can’t floss on the go.
GUM® Crayola™ Kids’ Flossers are also the latest attempt at introducing flossing to children by making it fun, colourful and easy.
Give your smile a daily makeover
Needless to say, you don’t need swanky new dental products – regular dental floss works just as well, as do interdental brushes. Those with sensitive gums can even find expanding floss in any good pharmacy which causes less irritation to gum tissue. And if you need help keeping track of how much plaque is on your teeth, disclosing toothpaste or tablets can work a treat.
Cleaning between the teeth helps remove trapped food and plaque that doesn’t just combat tooth decay but improves breath freshness for an all-round healthy smile. Speak to us at Number 18 Dental if you’re unsure how to use dental floss or interdental brushes, or if you need any other dental hygiene advice.
