What is the primary advantage of using dental floss over rubber points interdentally?

Using dental floss primarily excels at removing plaque and debris from interproximal surfaces, which are the spaces between teeth. This is critical for maintaining oral hygiene, as plaque buildup in these areas can lead to cavities and gum disease. Floss is designed to fit snugly between teeth, allowing for effective disruption of plaque that might be difficult to access with other cleaning tools such as rubber points.

While other options focus on benefits that are theoretically aligned with maintaining dental health, they do not rival the efficiency of floss in debris removal. For instance, while rubber points may help with polishing and can have a mild massaging effect on the interdental papillae, they do not provide the same level of plaque removal as dental floss, which can reach deeper into tighter spaces. Additionally, floss is not generally recognized as a tool for identifying subgingival spaces, which is typically reserved for specialized instruments used during professional cleanings or examinations. Therefore, the primary advantage of dental floss lies in its effective removal of plaque and debris between teeth.