6 Best Floss Picks (Full Review)
Dentist Tested and Reviewed
Did you know that as few as 10% of Americans floss daily?
Unfortunately, brushing alone is ineffective at removing plaque, especially between the teeth.
Fortunately, many ways to effectively clean between teeth include string floss, water flossers, air flossers, and floss picks
As an experienced dentist with years of experience, I’ve tested and evaluated 250+ dental products. I strive to find the best products for achieving excellent oral hygiene, so let’s take a closer look at the Best Floss Picks from a dentist’s perspective.
Related: Top 8 Best Dental Floss Review 2024Buying Guide
- Best Overall: Plackers Micro Mint Dental Flossers
- Best Budget: DenTek Advanced Clean Floss Picks
- Best All-Natural: The Humble Co. Floss Picks
- Best Durable: GUM Professional Clean Floss Picks
- Best Travel: GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens Cleaners
- Best Comfort: GUM Soft-Picks Advanced
Evaluation Criteria
I test each product for 7-14 days, detailing its pros and cons, and rate it from 1 to 5 in four key areas.
- Effectiveness: Does the toothpaste treat the advertised need? How effective were the results?
- Comfort: Was the toothpaste comfortable? Was there any burning, stinging or uncomfortable sensation?
- Taste: How was the overall taste? Was it refreshing? Did it alter your sense of taste?
- Likeability: Is the toothpaste likable and enjoyable to use?
Related Reviews
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- Best Bad Breath Mouthwash Review 2024
- Best Complete Care Toothpaste Review 2024
- Best Mouth Sore Products Review 2024
1. Best Overall | Plackers Micro Mint Dental Flossers
Keep it looking fresh with Plackers Micro Mint Flossers.
Easily remove those bits of ick with smooth Super Tuffloss, engineered not to stretch, shred or break and a built-in fold-out toothpick that folds away after use. The easy grip handle provides more control and comfort while cleaning between your teeth and gums.
Rely on Plackers to get the gunk out. Enjoy fresh breath with a delicious mint flavor that leaves your mouth with a fresh clean feeling.
Dentist Review
Plackers Micro Mint Dental Flossers are incredibly comfortable to use.
The floss pick is integrated into the flosser handle, so it doesn’t poke you when not used.
This creative design made using this product much more enjoyable. Also, the floss was effective at food removal, and no shred was observed.
In addition, the mint flavor was strong and did a great job freshening breath. Lastly, the handle has grooves for better handling, and the pick is sturdy to prevent flexing and bending. This floss pick is an excellent product for on-the-go flossing.
Highlights
- It doesn’t stretch, shred or break
- Mint flavor
- Sure-zip seal bag
- Easy-grip handle
- Fold-out toothpick
Results
Best overall dental flosser with comfortable handle.
2. Best Budget | DenTek Advanced Clean Floss Picks
DenTek Triple Clean Advanced Clean Floss Picks have our thinnest, strongest floss that won't break or shred.
The floss on DenTek Triple Clean Advanced Clean Floss Picks is composed of over 200 individual cleaning strands. The micro-textured pick helps to scrape away stubborn bits of food and plaque, and the tongue cleaner helps to fight bad breath.
DenTek Triple Clean Advanced Clean Floss Picks feature Mouthwash blast flavored floss with fluoride-infused floss strands.
Dentist Review
DenTek has developed a practical floss pick that easily removes plaque and food particles.
No shred was observed, and it was relatively easy to pass between teeth.
Unfortunately, the handle was slick and difficult to hold without slipping, especially as we maneuvered toward the back teeth.
However, it does feature an enjoyable mint flavor that freshens breath. Also, the fluoride-infused floss strands are a bonus to prevent tooth decay. Lastly, the pointed end was functional but began to bend soon after use.
Highlights
- American Dental Association Accepted
- No-break guarantee
- Mouthwash blast flavor
- Fluoride-infused floss strands
- 200+ individual strands
- Includes tongue scraper
- Micro-textured pick
Results
Best fluoride-infused floss strands.
3. Best All-Natural | The Humble Co. Floss Picks
Floss picks made entirely from plastics? Old school. Try the Humble mint floss picks that use cornstarch as their main base.
Comes packed in an eco-friendly paper bag. Humble floss picks make flossing a piece of cake! The double threading ensures that food debris is effectively removed whilst the shape of the pick promotes easy access to those hard-to-reach places.
Made primarily from corn starch and packaged in eco-friendly paper packaging, humble mint floss picks aim to minimize the stress on our environment whilst providing a first-class experience.
Dentist Review
The Humble Co. Floss Picks are uniquely designed with two strands of floss for a more thorough clean.
It was highly effective at plaque removal; however, the first strand often cut the gums when passing the second strand between the teeth.
Therefore, this floss pick is recommended for people with larger gaps between teeth. Lastly, the mint flavor of the floss was not as strong as we would have desired; however, the pointed end has great reach to access the back teeth.
Highlights
- Nylon floss thread
- Fresh and minty flavor
- Plant-based materials
- Twin floss-slides easily
- Developed by dentists
- Designed in Sweden
- Vegan and BPA free
- Pointed floss pick
Results
Best twin floss design and extended floss pick.
4. Best Durable | GUM Professional Clean Floss Picks
This completely redesigned flosser is ideal for on-the-go teeth cleaning and removing plaque not reached by toothbrushing alone.
The molded F-shaped handle provides excellent support and control to clean between the hard-to-reach back teeth Control grip handle features widened finger rest and ribbed grip for greater comfort and control. Improved gentle pick gently and safely cleans between teeth and massages gums.
Exceptional-quality shred-resistant string floss is gentle to gums. The satin-like finish provides nonstick lubrication for easy sliding through even the tightest contacts.
Dentist Review
GUM Professional Clean Floss Picks effectively remove plaque and food between teeth. The waxed floss was extra strong, and no shred or sag was observed.
We were pleasantly surprised by the strong mint flavor and fresh breath effectiveness.
The handle was comfortable to grip; however, there was occasionally slipping around the back teeth. Lastly, the pointed end was solid and durable, with no bending or flexion.
Highlights
- Fresh confident clean
- Extra strong waxed floss
- Doesn’t shred, break or sag
- Mint flavor
- Grip for easy handling
- Sturdy pick to clean between teeth
Results
Best extra strong mint-flavored floss pick.
5. Best Travel | GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens Cleaners
GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens Interdental Brushes are manufactured with triangular bristles, which are 25% more effective at removing dental plaque from between teeth than conventional round bristles.
The nylon-coated wires are designed for comfortable cleaning around dental appliances, fixtures, crowns, implants, orthodontics, and other hard-to-reach places without scratching or causing galvanic shock.
Coated with a patented antibacterial agent for continuous protection throughout the 10-day recommended usage period. Protective travel caps are included to put in your pocket, purse or car for on-the-go usage.
Dentist Review
GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens Cleaners were exceptional at removing plaque without snapping through contacts between teeth.
It was comfortable to use; however, review the brush sizes before purchase, as they offer five different thicknesses.
The antibacterial brushes are a bonus and easily bend to navigate hard-to-reach areas.
Also, the ergonomic handle was highly comfortable and enjoyable to use. The proxabrush features a protective cap for easy transport in your pocket or purse.
Highlights
- Go-betweens cleaners
- Flexible handle for comfort and control
- Triangular-shaped antibacterial bristles
- “Removes up to 25% more plaque”
- Bendable brush neck
- 5 different brush sizes
- Protective cap for easy transport
Results
Best on-the-go proxabrush with antibacterial bristles.
6. Best Comfort | GUM Soft-Picks Advanced
GUM Soft-Picks Advanced have flexible, comfortable bristles to gently remove plaque, dislodge food and massage gums.
The flexible synthetic rubber bristles fit easily between most teeth, removing dental plaque where gum disease often starts and toothbrushes alone cannot reach. The curved design of Soft-Picks Advanced allows the picks to easily reach any area of the mouth, including difficult to reach back teeth for a whole mouth clean!
Dentist Review
GUM Soft-Picks Advanced are available in various sizes, so confirm your size before purchasing.
This product and GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens Cleaners are exceptional for individuals with significant gaps between teeth, as string floss is inadequate for complete plaque removal.
The synthetic rubber bristles are comfortable on the gums and effective during use. Also, the handle is ergonomic and features grips to prevent slipping.
Highlights
- Soft-picks advanced
- Soft flexible bristles
- Curved design
- On-the-go case included
- Whole mouth access
- Long handle for control
Results
Best soft pick for sensitive gums.
Overall Champion | Plackers Micro Mint Dental Flossers*
Keep it looking fresh with Plackers Micro Mint Flossers.
Easily remove those bits of ick with smooth Super Tuffloss, engineered not to stretch, shred or break and a built-in fold-out toothpick that folds away after use. The easy grip handle provides more control and comfort while cleaning between your teeth and gums.
Rely on Plackers to get the gunk out. Enjoy fresh breath with a delicious mint flavor that leaves your mouth with a fresh clean feeling.
Final Thoughts
Plackers Micro Mint Dental Flossers and GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens Cleaners scored a perfect score.
However, Plackers is the overall winner for its innovative design, effectiveness, comfort, and ease of use. This is a great product, especially if you find string floss tedious and ineffective.
GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens Cleaners is the best choice if you have more significant gaps between your teeth or gum loss, leading to food impaction. Also, they have five brush sizes available.
GUM Soft-Picks Advanced is also great for individuals with significant gaps between teeth when string floss is ineffective at plaque removal.
Lastly, GUM Professional Clean Floss Picks is an excellent choice if daily flossing has been an afterthought.
Final Rankings
- Plackers Micro Mint Dental Flossers 20/20
- GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens Cleaners 20/20
- GUM Soft-Picks Advanced 19/20
- GUM Professional Clean Floss Picks 19/20
- The Humble Co. Floss Picks 16/20
- DenTek Advanced Clean Floss Picks 15/20
* My Dental Advocate product reviews are based on individual experience and your results with the products may vary.
Need a second opinion? We can help! Learn more. Knowledge is power when cultivating healthy dental habits. The more informed you are, the better positioned you'll be to prevent avoidable and potentially costly dental procedures for you and your family. Watch for future blog posts, where we'll continue sharing important information, product reviews and practical advice!
About the Author
Dr. Matthew Hannan, also known as “Dr. Advocate,” is a board-certified dentist on a mission to provide accurate dental patient education. He attended Baylor University before completing dental school at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. He now lives in Arizona with his beautiful wife and 4 kids. Dr. Hannan believes everyone should access easy-to-read dental resources with relevant, up-to-date dental research and insight to improve their oral health.
Connect with Dr. Hannan!
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