4 Floss Alternatives to Help Improve Your Smile
There are many oral hygiene tools on the market to help improve the health of your smile. Every tooth in every smile is different making conventional string floss not sufficient.
This article will outline 4 great alternatives to floss that will help you floss more and improve your oral health.
Table of Contents
Floss Alternatives: You Need More Than Just a Toothbrush
Simply put, no, your toothbrush is not enough to effectively cleanse your teeth. It’s important to clean in between your teeth every day, and a toothbrush just can’t do that.
Brushing your teeth only mechanically removes food, plaque, and bacteria from two-thirds of the surfaces. Your toothbrush can only reach a few millimeters in the gum pocket.
Floss alternatives are a convenient way to work with your toothbrush to improve overall health. Most people use the classic string floss, but it’s not made for everyone. The important thing is that you floss your teeth, regardless of which alternatives to floss you choose to use.
4 Best Alternatives for Floss
There are many reasons why you might want to use alternatives for floss. Traditional floss might not work for your teeth, you might not like using traditional floss, or you might just want some easier floss alternatives to get you motivated.
Whatever your reasoning, alternatives to floss can be just as effective as traditional floss and we highly recommend that you find a floss alternative that works for you and your daily routine.
With that in mind, here are the 4 best alternatives for floss:
Interdental Brushes
Interdental brushes are small, handheld brushes that are designed to slide in between the teeth. These floss alternatives are also called proxabrushes or slim brushes. They are made in several different sizes, shapes, and materials.
They offer a great alternative to floss, especially for those with gaps in their teeth. However, they may not work as effectively for those with teeth that are tight together.
- Gently slide the brush head in between where the two teeth meet.
- Never force the brush, choose a smaller size if needed.
- Rinse off food as needed. They are one-time use and should be thrown out after one sitting.
Water Flossers
Water flossers use pressurized water to mechanically remove food, plaque, and bacteria from in between the teeth. These floss alternatives come with different shaped heads and water pressures to customize individual use.
Out of all the floss alternatives, water flossers are the most effective, and therefore are the floss alternative that we recommend the most.
- Place the water flosser head at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline near, not on, the tooth.
- Follow the curve of your gumline and pause in between the teeth before moving on.
- Use room temperature water to prevent sensitivity. Clean regularly to prevent mold build-up.
Our Water Flosser Guide has additional information.
Floss Picks
Floss picks, or flossers, are great floss alternatives to conventional string floss. These instruments work well for patients who can’t reach everywhere in their mouth due to the size of their hands or have dexterity issues.
They also offer a sort of convenience factor since you can grab one and start to floss your teeth immediately. They are excellent alternatives to floss and can be very beneficial to your oral health.
- Gently slide the floss pick in between the teeth. Avoid forcing to prevent gum tissue trauma.
- Make a c-shape motion on both sides of the teeth before removing and moving on to the next area.
- Rinse as needed. All flossers are one-time use and should not be saved after one sitting.
Dental Picks
Dental picks, or soft picks, are usually made out of a soft plastic or wood material. They are not as efficient as the other floss alternatives on our list. They work great for removing food debris but do not finely wipe the side of the tooth to remove plaque and bacteria.
These should only really be used int he case of food getting stuck in your teeth and you don’t have access to any of the other floss alternatives. Although they are helpful, they aren’t a full replacement for traditional floss.
- Gently insert the pick in between the teeth. Careful not to stab the gum tissue.
- Running wooden picks underwater can help soften the wood and prevent splintering.
- All dental picks are one-time use. Do not re-use to avoid reintroducing bacteria.
Recommendations on the Best Alternatives to Floss
If you are looking for the best floss alternative overall, studies show that Water Flossers serve as the best alternatives to floss. They are most able to get in between your teeth and remove plaque and build up.
It’s important to note that everyones teeth are different and some of the floss alternatives listed above might not be the best option for your teeth. We recommend you consult with your dentist before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of floss?
All these floss alternatives are viable options to use alongside your toothbrush. It is important to brush 2 times a day and floss every day. For more information about flossing dental care, click here.
Is it OK not to use floss?
Using a toothbrush alone is not sufficient enough to mechanically remove all food, plaque, and bacteria from the tooth surface. If you’re having difficulty using conventional string floss, try one of the floss alternatives above. Work with your dental professional to find the right floss technique for you.
Can you use string as floss?
The everyday string is not made to be used as floss. We do not recommend using the string lying around in your home as floss alternatives. Floss products are designed with scientific engineering to effectively remove food, plaque, and bacteria. Household string also can hold increased bacteria that you risk introducing to your mouth.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
