Are dental picks better than floss?

When it comes to cleaning between your teeth, there are many different interdental aids to choose from. Two popular options are dental picks and floss, but is one better than the other? In this blog post, we take a look at both, comparing their features and benefits to help you decide which might be right for you. We also introduce floss picks and investigate how they measure up. 

Are dental picks as good as floss? 

Dental floss is often the first choice product for interdental cleaning but does it deserve its reputation? And where do dental picks stand in comparison? 

The first thing to address is the terminology. Most people are familiar with dental floss. It generally comes as a rolled thin strand of twisted nylon or silk. It is designed to glide between teeth and in the areas between the teeth and gums to remove plaque and debris. It comes in both waxed and unwaxed forms. 

Dental picks, meanwhile, are thin sticks made from wood, rubber, silicone, bamboo or another material and are used to remove food particles trapped between teeth.

However, there is another tool called a floss pick that is a combination of both products. The DenTek Eco Triple Clean Floss Pick is one such example. It contains a strand of extra strong, multi-filament textured floss and a textured pick handle for double cleaning power. This interdental cleaning aid blends floss’ ability to get into tight spaces with the easy manoeuvrability of a toothpick. 

To understand more, let’s compare these tools in the following areas: 

Effectiveness

When comparing floss with traditional toothpicks, the research doesn’t seem to favour one over the other: 

• A 2010 clinical study found that toothpicks reduced plaque by 74% and dental floss reduced plaque by 73%.^[1] 
• Indeed, a 2019 study looking at different interdental cleaning aids and their effectiveness concluded that ‘there is no single cleaning aid that works best for all patients’. Instead it suggested that effectiveness depends on an individual’s dexterity, motivation, the size of their interdental spaces, the ease of use and whether they find it acceptable.^[2] 

So what about floss picks then? How do they fare in comparison? When it comes to effectiveness, they can work very well. The DenTek Eco Cross Flosser, for example, is clinically proven to remove 80% more plaque from between teeth than leading rolled floss. 

It’s important to note that toothbrushing alone is not enough to keep your mouth healthy. Dental hygienist Hannah Ripley from Zandielle Dental Clinic says, “A toothbrush alone cleans just 60% of the tooth. To hit the other 40% that the toothbrush can’t reach, the importance of adding interdental cleaning cannot be overstated. Oral hygiene products such as DenTek’s floss picks and interdental brushes are vital. By adding interdental cleaning to your oral hygiene routine, you will take your smile to the next level and potentially avoid unnecessary dentist visits.”

She goes on to say, “Many common dental issues are preventable or at least delayable by cleaning your teeth and mouth effectively. Most people know to brush their teeth but too few include interdental cleaning. By adding this important task to your oral hygiene routine, you will save both your money and your smile.”

Design and ease of use

When it comes to ease of use, traditional string floss requires more manual dexterity than toothpicks do. This means that some people will find rolled floss too difficult to use. On the other hand, while toothpicks are easier to manoeuvre due to their sturdy design, they have the potential to cause damage if used incorrectly, particularly if they’re forced between your teeth.^[3]

So what about floss picks? Well, products like DenTek Eco Sensitive Floss Picks are both easy to use and gentle. With shred-resistant floss and a curved comfort pick, this cleaning aid is easy to manoeuvre and gentle on the mouth. It’s also flexible enough to clean hard to reach areas. 

Environmental impact

Daily use of any interdental aid creates an environmental impact but thankfully eco-friendly options are available. Take the DenTek Eco Cross Flosser. Not only is this flosser clinically proven to remove more plaque from between teeth than rolled floss but it is also made from bio-plastic.

This material emits up to 80% less carbon emissions than conventional plastic, and it also comes in packaging made from recycled content and that can be recycled. So if you’re looking for a product that is effective, easy to use and eco-friendly, this is a great choice. 

Resources:

_{[1] – Särner, Barbro et al. “Recommendations by dental staff and use of toothpicks, dental floss and interdental brushes for approximal cleaning in an adult Swedish population.” Oral health & preventive dentistry vol. 8,2 (2010): 185-94. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20589254/.} 

_{[2] – Ng, Ethan, and Lum Peng Lim. “An Overview of Different Interdental Cleaning Aids and Their Effectiveness.” Dentistry journal vol. 7,2 56. 1 Jun. 2019, doi:10.3390/dj7020056. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6630384/}

_{[3] – https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/dental-health/your-teeth/teeth-cleaning-guide/}