What is actually dental floss?!
Question: Dental floss is either a bundle of thin nylon filaments or a plastic (teflon or polyethylene) ribbon used to remove food and dental plaque from teeth. The floss is gently inserted between the teeth and scraped along the teeth sides, especially close to the gums. Dental floss may be flavored or unflavored, and waxed or unwaxed.
Answers: Dental floss is either a bundle of thin nylon filaments or a plastic (teflon or polyethylene) ribbon used to remove food and dental plaque from teeth. The floss is gently inserted between the teeth and scraped along the teeth sides, especially close to the gums. Dental floss may be flavored or unflavored, and waxed or unwaxed.
WOW i never really noticed that!! Awsome question!!
it cleans out the plaque off of your teeth.
its usually nylon strands and often has flavouring which is simply gotten by staining it.
if your asking what it does is that it removes pieces of food that is stuck, such that bacteria does not have a food source. (layman terms above)
so its really a lower level form of brushing ur teeth... its no substitute though...
You've gotten good answers but to be a little more complete--floss is used to reach the area around the contact point between two teeth, where the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach. A very high percentage of cavities begin at/right below the contact because plaque is not removed effectively there. Your dentist can't feel or see the decay there, until it is extensive, without the use of radiographs--that's why bitewing films are taken on a regular{yearly, at least} basis on posterior teeth. On the front teeth, since the contact is buried so deeply, and since the teeth are 'thinner', it is a little easier to diagnose decay visually. There is no really good substitute for flossing--daily use protects the interproximal areas better than any other method.
sometimes wax coated string that tastes like mint