A floss stick, often called a floss pick, is a small plastic handle holding a short, taut segment of dental floss stretched between two prongs. This convenient tool gained popularity because it eliminates the need to wrap string floss around the fingers, allowing for simple, one-handed operation. While many assume this ease of use makes the pick an equal substitute for traditional string, the physical difference between the tools raises questions about their effectiveness. The central question is whether this streamlined design can deliver the same comprehensive level of plaque removal as its traditional counterpart.
Comparing Cleaning Efficacy to String Floss
Traditional string floss allows the user to perform the “C-shape” technique, which is the gold standard for interdental cleaning. This method involves wrapping floss completely around the circumference of a tooth and sliding it gently below the gum line (sulcus) to fully contour the surface. The flexibility of the string allows it to hug the tooth, ensuring maximum contact to scrape away plaque. This ability to fully wrap around the tooth is the main mechanical advantage of string floss.
The design of a floss pick limits this wrapping action because the floss segment is held straight and taut. This rigidity makes it challenging to achieve the necessary curvature to clean the entire width of the tooth surface and fully adapt to the gum line. Therefore, the user must clean the surface of one tooth and then re-angle the pick to clean the surface of the adjacent tooth within the same interdental space.
Despite this mechanical difference, clinical studies suggest that a floss pick can be comparably effective when used properly. Comparing a floss pick to standard rolled floss found that the pick was “at least as good as” the string for overall plaque removal when both were used according to directions. The study found the floss pick removed 19.4% of plaque, while the string floss removed 15%, suggesting that compliance and proper technique are more significant than the tool itself.
Maximizing Plaque Removal Through Proper Technique
To overcome the limitations of the taut floss segment, a specific two-step technique is necessary to clean each interdental space thoroughly. The user must gently guide the floss into the space between two teeth using a subtle sawing motion to avoid snapping it down onto the gums. Once positioned, the floss must be pressed firmly against the surface of the first tooth, gently sliding it up and down and slightly below the gum line.
This action cleans only one of the two tooth surfaces in that space. The user must then reposition the pick, pressing the floss segment against the surface of the adjacent tooth, and repeat the up-and-down motion. This two-sided cleaning is required for every gap to ensure that both surfaces are cleared of plaque.
The gentle motion below the gum line is crucial because it disrupts the plaque that accumulates in the sulcus, preventing gingivitis. If the user only slides the pick straight in and out without cleaning both surfaces and dipping slightly, the pick will only remove trapped food debris and miss the majority of the plaque.
Situations Where Floss Picks Excel
While traditional string floss offers maximum adaptability, floss picks provide functional advantages in specific scenarios. The small, rigid handle is easier to control for individuals who have difficulty with fine motor skills or dexterity issues. This includes people with conditions like arthritis or those receiving assistance from a caregiver, where manipulating a long strand of floss is challenging.
The design of the pick also simplifies access to posterior teeth, or molars, which are often the most difficult areas to reach with string floss. The pre-tensioned floss and handle configuration assist in maneuvering the cleaning segment into tight spots at the back of the mouth. The convenience of the floss pick also makes it a practical option for individuals who need to floss while traveling or in public settings. The ease of use and portability of floss picks can encourage more frequent flossing, and the most effective tool is ultimately the one that is used consistently.