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Byrdie / Marcus Millan
As far as oral care goes, flossing tends to be the one thing that most often gets tossed to the wayside. Even though we know it’s an important part of dental and gum health, it’s tempting to skip it, particularly when you have to deal with wrangling traditional floss. Enter the beauty of floss picks.
“Using string floss can be difficult, especially for people with bigger hands,” says Sanda Moldovan, MS, DDS, a double board-certified periodontist and nutritionist in Beverly Hills. “Floss picks are easy to use, particularly when it comes to reaching in between the molars.” Plus, most people don’t floss correctly, but floss picks make it much easier to do so, she adds.
Just FYI, because they’re so easy to use, it’s possible to overdo it. “If you apply too much pressure, you can cause trauma to the gums,” cautions Lawrence Fung, DDS, cosmetic dentist and founder of Silicon Beach Dental. Be careful not to push too hard between the grooves of the teeth—this can cause lacerations or irreversible gum recessions. And let’s not forget that floss picks are also portable and easy to keep on hand anytime, anywhere.
We conducted hours of research on the best floss picks, evaluating them on materials, pick count, and other features. After consulting with a dentist and periodontist, and considering dozens of options, we landed on these top-rated choices.
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Minty flavor
Textured pick to fight plaque
Approved by the American Dental Association
Some may not want fluoride
These picks tout the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance, effective for removing plaque and preventing gingivitis. As an added benefit, each one has a fluoride coating and a minty flavor. They’re also super sturdy and won’t snap, even when used between tight teeth. The floss has a silky feel, making it especially easy to use between very tight teeth or if you have braces.
Material: Floss, plastic | Number of picks in package: 90
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Dual line of floss
Hidden pick
Easy-grip handle
Only comes in one flavor
There are two strands of floss in this option, helping to remove every last bit of stuck food and plaque. They’re made to stretch rather than shred or snap, and we also appreciate that the pick is hidden inside the handle, so you don’t have to worry about poking yourself.
Material: Floss, plastic | Number of picks in package: 75
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Eco-friendly choice
Sturdy construction
Ends are too pointy
Dr. Moldovan says these are one of her favorite floss picks, a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic ones. They’re made from a compostable combo of corn and wheat straw and a mint-flavored floss. Even the exterior packaging is a kraft paper box that’s reusable and recyclable.
Material: Floss, corn, and wheat straw | Number of picks in package: 200
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Eco-friendly choice
Dual line of floss
Not compostable
For those trying to minimize their plastic consumption, this is an excellent choice. The eco-friendly option features a handle made from corn starch and dual-string nylon floss.
Material: Nylon, cornstarch | Number of picks in package: 200
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Great value
Shred-resistant floss
Flavor could be mintier
Pick up a bag of these on your next Target run. A super affordable choice, these check all of our floss pick boxes. They tout a refreshing mint flavor, shred-resistant floss, and a hidden pick that won’t poke you.
Material: Floss, plastic | Number of picks in package: 90
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Works on multiple areas of the mouth
Long handle
Gentle
Can break easily
Rather than featuring the traditional type of floss, these picks have flexible, synthetic rubber bristles on the end. They work equally well in between teethbut can also be used on teeth themselves and along the gum line to help break down plaque in common areas of buildup. Dr. Moldovan is a fan, saying they gently remove both food and plaque and adding that they’re great for people with gum disease or bleeding gums.
Material: Synthetic rubber, plastic | Number of picks in package: 270
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Minty flavor
Glides smoothly
Could be a stronger material
We especially love these for on-the-go use since they combine the benefits of a floss pick with the refreshing flavor of mouthwash (they’re infused with Scope Outlast). Plus, the floss itself is silky smooth, gliding smoothly even between tight spaces without pulling or snapping.
Material: Floss, plastic | Number of picks in package: 150
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Long handle
Angled brush head gets into tight spots
Not great for using on the go
“I prefer this floss pick because of the long handle. It can reach in-between places that we can't usually get to in the back of our teeth,” says Dr. Molodvan of one of her top choices. Indeed, it’s more of a toothbrush/floss pick hybrid, helping to remove food and break down plaque as well.
Material: Plastic, plastic-coated wire | Number of picks in package: 6
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Sustainable option
Easy-grip handle
Minty flavor
Could be more durable
If you want to reap the benefits of a floss pick but don’t love that they’re not super sustainable, this is the ideal alternative. The compact case comes with an easy-grip reusable handle and a preloaded mint floss refill pod. Simply pop in a new piece of floss every time, and you’re good to go. One refill pod replaces 180 single-use plastic picks.
Material: Polyester floss, plastic | Number of picks in package: 180 uses
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Ideal for tight spaces
Unflavored
Resistant to breaking
Pack count could be higher
When you have braces or very tightly spaced teeth, you need a flosser that can get in between the grooves to pick out debris. These picks have thin yet tough floss that slides between braces and your teeth, as well as a slim handle that's comfortable to hold. As a bonus, this pack comes with a travel pouch you can tote in your bag.
Material: Floss, plastic | Number of picks in package: 36
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Can be used on the go
Comes in multiple pack sizes
Gentle on teeth
Can break over time
We love this hands-free option for flossing on the go. Though there's a bit of a learning curve, once you get the hang of it you'll love using it at work or while you relax. With unflavored floss, it's a particularly gentle option that still gets into all the nooks and crannies.
Material: Plastic | Number of picks in package: 40, 120, 240
Final Verdict
Floss picks may just be the secret to getting you to actually floss regularly. The DenTek Triple Clean Floss Picks earn the top spot on our list, touting the ADA Seal of Acceptance and helping to combat both plaque and gingivitis. The Up&Up Floss Picks are an excellent value option, which we like thanks to the foldaway pick in the handle. And if you’re looking for a more sustainable option, consider the compostable Bambo Earth Natural Dental Floss Picks or reusable Quip Refillable Floss Pick.
Meet the Expert
- Dr. Lawrence Fung is a cosmetic dentist and founder of Silicon Beach Dental in Culver City, California. He is also the clinical instructor at the Center for Esthetic Dentistry at UCLA.
- Dr. Sanda Moldovan is a double board-certified periodontist and nutritionist focusing on biological dentistry with a dental practice in Beverly Hills. She is also the founder of Orasana, an all-natural oral health and wellness brand that understands the connection between the mouth and the overall health of the body.
What to Look For in a Floss Pick
Floss Thickness
Opt to choose a floss thickness based on the space between your teeth. If you have bigger gaps, a thicker floss may work best. For smaller gaps, a thinner floss may work best. Each will help you reach where you need to based on your teeth.
Size
Floss picks should be small and easy to travel with. This can help you bring them on the go and may allow them to fit into your mouth easily. Not to mention that they may help the brusher get into those hard-to-reach areas a bit easier. You don't want them to be too small, but small enough that they can easily be thrown into a pouch in a jiffy, or a fold-out option to save space. Plackers Twin-Line Flossers are tiny and ideal for throwing in a toiletries bag, while an option like Tepe Angle Interdental Brushes may be best for keeping on your bathroom vanity. Or take something like the Quip Refillable Floss Pick with you on overnight trips to store your floss picks.
String Type
You'll find floss picks with single or dual line string, which can be helpful at removing plaque and debris lodged between teeth. Also look for floss that is infused with fluoride for teeth-strengthening benefits. If your teeth are tightly spaced, you may want an option that has good "glide" to slide between teeth easily.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. After resolving to floss daily (and continuously falling short of her goal), she finally realized that floss picks are the way to get her to do so.
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