A floss pick is a small, handheld tool consisting of a plastic handle with a short segment of dental floss stretched between two prongs. This design offers a straightforward method for cleaning the tight spaces between teeth without requiring the manual dexterity of traditional string. Floss picks were developed to simplify the process of interdental cleaning. The central question for consumers is whether this convenience sacrifices the cleaning power needed to maintain optimal oral health. This article explores the scientific comparison of floss picks to manual string floss and details the best way to utilize the picks for maximum effectiveness.
Efficacy Compared to Traditional String Floss
The core difference in cleaning efficacy centers on the ability to contour the floss around the tooth surface, a technique known as the “C-shape” wrap. Traditional string floss allows the user to wrap a long length of floss around a tooth, enabling the material to follow the curve of the tooth and extend slightly below the gum line to dislodge plaque. The fixed, rigid design of a floss pick’s short segment of floss makes this comprehensive wrapping difficult to achieve.
While some clinical studies have found that certain floss pick products can be “at least as good as” standard rolled floss in overall plaque removal, the method of use is a factor. For the average user, manual string floss, when executed with the correct C-shape technique, remains the gold standard for full surface coverage and subgingival cleaning. However, a tool that is used consistently is always better than a technically superior tool that is avoided. Many people who struggle with the technique of string floss may remove more plaque overall by using a pick regularly.
Practical Advantages and Design Limitations
Floss picks gain their popularity from their unmatched convenience and ease of use, which directly addresses common barriers to flossing. The attached handle provides an easy grip, making it simple for people with limited hand dexterity, such as children or individuals with arthritis, to access the interdental spaces. They are highly portable and are excellent for quick, single-handed use outside of the bathroom. The handle can also make it easier to reach the very back molars compared to manually guiding string floss.
The design limitations, however, are significant and stem from the small, fixed length of the floss segment. Because the same piece of floss is often used for every tooth, there is a risk of simply transferring plaque and bacteria from one interdental space to another. The rigidity of the pick’s structure can also make it difficult to gently slide the floss past tight contact points, sometimes leading to the floss snapping aggressively onto the gums and causing irritation. Another drawback is the environmental concern, as the majority of floss picks are single-use items made primarily of non-biodegradable plastic.
Essential Technique for Maximizing Cleaning Effectiveness
To maximize the effectiveness of a floss pick, users must apply a technique that attempts to overcome the design’s rigidity. Instead of simply pushing the floss straight down and pulling it back out, a sawing or gentle back-and-forth motion is needed to guide the floss past the contact point without forcing it. Once the floss is between the teeth, it must be pressed firmly against one tooth surface and slid up and down to scrape away plaque.
This scraping action should be repeated on the adjacent tooth surface in the same space, ensuring both sides of the interdental area are cleaned. To reach posterior molars, the user should utilize the handle of the pick to help maneuver the floss section around the curve of the back teeth. This ensures the floss reaches the distal surface of the last tooth, an area frequently overlooked during routine cleaning.