9 Floss Picks That'll Get You Excited About Flossing Daily

written by
Syden Abrenica
Syden Abrenica is an NYC-based creative with 5+ years of experience writing and editing for national magazines such as Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Health, All You, and Harper's Bazaar.
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Syden Abrenica
updated Feb 27, 2020

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When it comes to oral care, flossing is not at the top of everyone’s priority list. (Sorry, dentists everywhere!) Not only is it one more thing to remember to do, but it can be a bit of challenging feat—cue to an image of me trying desperately to reach in-between my molars. For those who struggle with using traditional floss, floss picks are a great alternative.

“Floss picks are great for people on the go and for brushers with manual dexterity issues,” says Dr. Joshua Perlman, DMD of NYC Smile Spa. They help give the brusher the ability to get to those hard-to-reach areas with ease and comfort. But, make sure to floss with care. Because floss picks are so ergonomic, it can be easy to use them too harshly. “If you apply too much pressure, you can cause trauma to the gums,” says Dr. Lawrence Fung, Cosmetic Dentist and Founder of Silicon Beach Dental. Avoid pushing too hard between the grooves of the teeth—this can cause lacerations or irreversible gum recessions.

Lucky for you, floss picks are not only easy to use, but they’re perfect for toting around. Pop a few in your pocket and you’ll be armed and ready to encourage healthy teeth.

Explore some of the best floss picks below.

Best Overall: DenTek Triple Clean Floss Picks

DenTek Triple Clean Floss Picks
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This sturdy floss pick gets between even the tightest spots, dislodging plaque and other no-nos. It's received the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance because it's safe and shown to be effective at removing plaque and preventing gingivitis. As a bonus, you’ll find fluoride coating on each pick.

Most Popular: Plackers Twin-Line Flossers

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Get double the cleaning power with this ingenious two-lined floss pick. It helps grab onto food particles for effective removal, which means no cavities. Our favorite part is the hidden pick, so accidentally poking yourself is a thing of the past.

Best Charcoal: Hello Oral Care Activated Charcoal Infused Natural Mint Floss Picks

Hello Activated Charcoal Infused Natural Mint Floss Picks
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Activated charcoal, a fine grain powder, is the featured ingredient in these sustainable plant-based floss picks. It’s known to help remove and absorb surface stains and improve bad breath. “Plus, the textured floss is made of vegan wax,” adds Dr. Fung.

Best Flavor: Oral-B Complete Glide Plus Scope Outlast Dental Floss Picks

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With the added zing of Scope Outlast, this smooth floss pick gives an extra burst of minty goodness. Indulge in the refreshing taste of mint as you floss away every debris and particle. Users also report that it glides seamlessly into tight spaces.

Best Value: Up&Up Floss Picks

Up&Up™ Floss Picks
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For just a few bucks, you get 90 of these debris-fighting floss picks. Reviewers like the refreshing cool mint flavor as well as the durable, but gentle, floss material. One user says that it’s gentle enough for her kids to use daily.

Best for Travel: DentAdvance Dental Floss Picks

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Not only do you get three packs of 30 floss picks, but you also get a free carry case with each pack which makes this perfect for travel and for families. Reviewers report that the thread is strong—read: no ripping—and successfully gets in between tight teeth.

Best Natural: The Humble Co. Natural Dental Floss Picks

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Instead of plastic, this floss pick is created with corn starch and packaged with paper, making it biodegradable. It also features a double-thread that gets every particle in even the hardest-to-get areas.

Best for Plaque: GUM Soft-Picks Advanced Dental Picks

GUM Soft-Picks Advanced Dental Picks
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The end of this pick features flexible bristles that effectively scrub out debris. It can slide easily in-between teeth, but also be used on teeth themselves to remove plaque and buildup.

Best Shred Resistant: Oral-B Oral-B Glide Gum Care Floss Picks

Oral-B Glide Gum Care Floss Picks
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With built-in tension control and a durable thread, this heavy-duty floss pick can traverse your entire mouth without breaking a sweat. It’s shred-resistant, which means even your toughest teeth will get a deep clean.

While it’s ideal to floss twice a day, Dr. Fung recommends flossing after every meal to remove food particles. When stuck to the teeth, they can contribute to bad breath and even tooth decay.

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