Consistent flossing is essential to maintaining good dental hygiene. Casey Lau, DDS, co-founder and chief dental officer of sustainable oral company ELIMS, explains that the true purpose of flossing is to remove the physical debris that collects between the teeth. This debris, she says, creates colonies of harmful bacteria that can cause cavities, inflammation, and/or gum infections. She adds that while some dentists will say any floss is better than not using floss at all, there are some qualities that make some floss better than others. She says that the best floss options will remove plaque and any other form of debris before it becomes tartar. She suggests that you’ll want to look for floss that’s thicker so it doesn’t shred, lightly waxed, and is textured so it can break up the debris in your teeth. We researched dozens of flosses and tested a handful at-home, then reviewed them based on their material, flavor, type, and price. A dental professional from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy, how to use floss, and the best way to evaluate flosses. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best for Preventing Cavities: Best Non-Minty: Best for Braces: Best Tasting: Best Long Lasting: In This Article Our Picks How We Selected Our Experts Where We Stand What to Look for in a Floss FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Pros Thick and grips well Vegan, chemical-free Mild flavor Cons Expensive Key Specs: It might look a little gimmicky, but the brightly-colored, attention-grabbing Cocofloss is our top pick because it was created by a dentist who knew people needed something a little flashy to commit to the healthy routine of daily flossing. Chrystle Cu, DDS, invented Cocofloss—a chemical-free floss infused with coconut oil and made of more than 500 grippy, plaque-busting fibers for a deeply effective yet soothing clean. According to Cocofloss, one of their spools will last a regular flosser about two months, and the Cocofloss website offers a subscribe-and-save option for fans who want to build their box of flavors and watch them show up in their mailbox on a predetermined schedule. We’ll admit that Cocofloss is a bit pricier than some other options on our list. While we believe this is a great product, this floss may not be affordable for some people. Pros Hydroxyapatite-infused for enamel protection Chemical-free Expanding Cons Sold by limited retailers Key Specs: According to Dr. Lau, people with sensitive teeth may want to choose a floss containing ingredients that remineralize teeth and fight tooth decay. While these ingredients are often found in toothpastes, it can be helpful to also use floss that offers these ingredients to ensure the spaces between your teeth are getting the same amount of support as the outer surfaces. He recommends a floss with fluoride or calcium phosphate. This expandable floss by RiseWell is one of the only ones to fit the bill: With hydroxyapatite, a calcium phosphate mineral, built into the fibers, RiseWell’s floss is an effective cleaner. It fits smoothly in between your teeth and then expands to scrub away gunk (and protect your enamel in the process). This floss isn't readily available at many retailers. Pros Mild but refreshing cardamom flavor Plant-based coating Soft and stretchy Key Specs: Spearmint and bubblegum aren’t the only flavors available regarding dental product taste. We chose the Smart Floss by Dr. Tung’s as our pick for best non-minty floss: There’s no overpowering flavor here, only a light, refreshing burst of cardamom (which, if you don’t know, tastes vaguely herbal like a blend of citrus and eucalyptus). An out-of-the-box flavor isn’t the only cool thing about this floss: It’s made with soft, silky fibers and coated with beeswax, allowing it to slip easily between your teeth and then expand as it works on all the plaque lurking in there. It's slightly more expensive per pack than other popular drugstore brands. Pros Three-in-one cleaner Affordable No-break guarantee Cons Not environmentally friendly Key Specs: A dental pick probably isn’t most people’s first choice for flossing, but sometimes it’s the only thing that gets the job done. Dental picks are ideal for kids learning how to brush and floss for the first time, adults who like to floss on the go, and elderly adults who have trouble manipulating string floss because of arthritis or neuropathy. We tested and loved the DenTek Triple Clean Advanced picks. Not only do they provide all the usual flossing work but also feature a micro-textured pointed end for detailed cleaning and a tongue scraper for the freshest possible breath around. Using the DenTek Triple Clean Advanced picks made flossing (something that was usually tedious for us) enjoyable and easy. The floss itself is made of 200-plus fibers designed not to shred or break, and it felt thin enough that it slid in perfectly between our tight teeth. This isn't the most environmentally friendly or sustainable floss option. Pros Easy-to-use precut strands Stiff end for cleaning awkward spots Spongy floss for wider cleaning Cons Costly for amount of product Key Specs: When you have braces, it’s more important than ever to keep your teeth and oral appliances clean so you can avoid discolored spots, which will be visible when the braces finally come off. That doesn’t mean flossing with braces is easy, though. So we like the Oral-B Super Floss Pre-Cut Strands for simplifying the whole process. Grab a string and use it like a regular piece of dental floss, in between your teeth, around appliances, and under the gum line. The strands are smooth and spongy, helping to gently but effectively remove debris from your teeth. Plus, they even have a stiffened end for getting into those tight, awkward corners and easily threading through and around wires, bands, and brackets. It's fairly costly for the amount of floss you receive. Pros Crisp, minty taste Durable strands Built-in dental pick Cons Runs out quickly Key Specs: Plackers Micro Line Dental Floss Picks is our pick for the best-tasting floss because of the refreshing mint taste that makes flossing enjoyable. The mint flavor is the perfect amount of strength to help your mouth feel fresher and cleaner, without any offputting aftertaste. This floss is engineered to have tough strands that don’t stretch or shred, even when going between incredibly tight spaces. Our editor who tested this floss has very tight teeth and noticed that the floss didn't break when they were using it. You also get a microplastic pick built in so you can get a super precise clean when needed. It’s easy to run through multiple dental picks in one session, making this a more costly option due to how often you’ll have to restock. Pros Unflavored 100 yards long Extra wide strands Cons Not great for tight spaces Key Specs: It’s very easy to run out of dental floss often due to how often we use it in our routine. Our pick for the best long-lasting floss is Reach Dentotape because you won't have to replace it as often as other options on the market. Our editor who recommends this floss has been a loyal user for three years and is in love with how the grippy texture of the dental floss gets all the debris from between their teeth, and how one pack comes with 100 yards of dental floss. For reference, that’s around a half mile’s length. When you eventually run out, you’re able to easily repurchase via common retailers. It’s an unflavored waxed nylon dental floss that works well if you have teeth with wider gaps. This dental floss has a little more wax than other dental flosses, so it’ll glide a little easier between teeth. This is a very thick dental floss, and may not be ideal for people with tightly-packed teeth. To find the best dental flosses, we asked two dentists what shoppers should look for when choosing a new product. With their expert recommendations in mind, we scoured the internet for crowd-favorite dental flosses, considering more than two dozen products. We also asked our editors which flosses they've personally tested and used at home and included the top contenders. We analyzed flosses based on the following criteria: After researching and testing over 7 dental flosses, Cocofloss Coconut-Oil Infused Woven Dental Floss is our top pick. We love how much debris is cleaned from our teeth due to the spongy texture. It's effective, tastes great, and looks good sitting in our cabinet. Does dental floss expire? Not really, though flavored or wax floss may change in taste in texture when floss is kept around for long periods of time, Dr. Lau says: “Floss is often flavored or waxed or both, [and] over time the wax can get old, and the scent and the flavor can go away, but the floss is not really harmful [or unsafe to use].” Should you floss before or after brushing your teeth? We’re going to attempt to settle a long-lived debate right here and now: what’s more effective, flossing before or after brushing? What should you do if your gums regularly bleed after flossing? Bleeding gums can be caused by multiple things, some a sign of gum disease and some easily reversible. Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017—everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions, from GI issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain.Best Overall
Cocofloss Coconut-Oil Dental Floss
Material: Plastic | Usage: General; use once or twice daily | Flavor: Assorted fruits Why We Recommend It
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Material: Not specified | Usage: General; use once or twice daily | Flavor: Spearmint Why We Recommend It
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Material: Polyester | Usage: General; use once or twice daily | Flavor: Cardamom Why We Recommend It
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Material: Unspecified | Usage: General; use once or twice daily; if desired, use the pointed end to deep clean and turn the pick on its side to use as a tongue scraper | Flavor: Mint Why We Recommend It
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Material: Unspecified | Usage: For braces; use once or twice daily; insert stiffened end between teeth or around oral appliances, then thread string/floss as usual | Flavor: Mint Why We Recommend It
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Material: Unspecified | Usage: For tightly packed teeth; use once or twice daily; if desired, use the pointed end to deep clean and turn the pick on its side to use as tongue scraper | Flavor: Mint Why We Recommend It
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Material: Nylon | Usage: Take a piece of floss, curve it around the tooth, and use an up and down motion to clean under the gum line and the debris on top | Flavor: Unflavored Why We Recommend It
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How We Selected the Best Flosses
Our Experts
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What to Look for in a Floss
Frequently Asked Questions
According to Dr. Reich, the latest research comes down in favor of flossing before brushing. He cites a 2018 study published in the Journal of Periodontology, which compared plaque reduction in two groups: brushing first, then flossing, and flossing first, then brushing. The results showed that plaque reduction was significantly higher in the group that flossed before brushing than in the group that flossed after brushing. We recommend a floss first, brush second routine for maximum clean-mouth potential.
“Bleeding gums is a sign of inflammation, which is often due to ineffective removal of plaque,” says Dr. Reich, “[but] it can also be the result of overaggressive flossing, which is causing trauma to the gum tissue.”
You may also have bleeding gums if you are on certain medications (such as blood thinners), if you have a vitamin deficiency, or if you are pregnant.
Since it’s hard for patients to know what the source of their bleeding is, the best course of action is to talk with your dentist about your experience, says Dr. Reich. Your dentist can then refer you to a gum specialist, or periodontist, if necessary. Why Trust Verywell Health
FAQs
What type of floss will remove most plaque? ›
If possible, textured, thicker floss with a wax coating will be better at removing plaque before it hardens and becomes tartar.
How to get your teeth pearly white? ›- Avoid Drinks That Stain Enamel. Coffee, red wine, and tea all have staining effects on the color of your teeth. ...
- Keep Up A Healthy Dental Hygiene Routine. ...
- Occasionally Use A Whitening Toothpaste. ...
- Avoid Smoking. ...
- Use An At-Home Whitener. ...
- Eat Your Fruit And Veggies.
Although plaque is colorless, you can likely feel it when you rub your tongue against your teeth. It will feel fuzzy. When you floss your teeth, it will appear white on the floss. The most dangerous part of plaque is that since it's colorless, many people don't care to remove it as much.
Is Oral-B Glide floss bad for you? ›'Glide' flosses are also made using PTFE. Despite widespread use, PFAS exposure in humans is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, including kidney and testicular cancer, decreased sem*n quality, and ulcerative colitis.
How can I remove thick plaque from my teeth at home? ›Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily can help remove plaque from teeth and prevent tartar from forming. Other home remedies that can prevent plaque buildup include brushing the teeth with baking soda toothpaste and using a water flosser.
What is the best thing to remove hard plaque? ›- Floss daily. Floss once a day with dental floss to get rid of food and plaque stuck between teeth. ...
- Brush twice a day. ...
- Chew sugarless gum. ...
- Choose healthy foods. ...
- See your dentist. ...
- Use mouthwash.
Veneers are the most common method of achieving perfect teeth and are widely used in Hollywood circles.
What home remedy whitens your teeth? ›Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can help to whiten stained teeth . For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week. They should only do this occasionally.
Should I scrape the white stuff off my teeth? ›Maintaining optimal oral hygiene is essential for avoiding tartar buildup and maintaining a healthy smile. While it is not recommended to scrape tartar off your own teeth, there are safe and effective ways to remove and prevent it at home.
What is the hard stuff that comes out when flossing? ›If you floss and feel something hard pop off, That's probably tartar. It is a hard buildup of plaque on your teeth. It's like a little rock that forms when plaque is improperly cleaned. So, if your tartar broke off while flossing and it worries you, don't be.
Why do I still have plaque after brushing and flossing? ›
Brushing and flossing may not be enough. Our first defense against plaque starts with a diligent, daily brushing and flossing routine. Oral hygiene depends heavily on daily care for teeth and gums. Plaque is a stubborn substance that can build up in places that are hard to reach, despite our best efforts.
What is the controversy with Oral-B Glide? ›The study found that women who flossed with Oral-B Glide floss had higher levels of a chemical called perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) in their blood than women who didn't use that type of floss.
What is the healthiest dental floss to use? ›- Cocofloss – vegan with coconut oil and labeled PFAS free.
- Eco-Dent GentleFloss – nylon floss infused with essential oils and coated with plant wax.
- Eco-Dent Vegan Floss – nylon vegan waxed floss.
While the scientific evidence for flossing benefits may be somewhat lacking, there's little evidence for any harm or side effects from flossing, and it's low cost. So why not consider making it part of your daily routine? Talk to your dentist if you have any questions or concerns about your teeth or gums.
What type of dental floss is most effective? ›Aside from being thinner than waxed tape, some sources say unwaxed tape has fewer chemicals and moves more easily in between teeth, but we believe waxed floss is more effective. However, if you find waxed floss to be too thick, then you may prefer unwaxed.
What breaks down hard plaque on teeth? ›Baking soda can effectively remove the plaque without damaging the outer covering of teeth— enamel. Baking soda is safe to use with no apparent side effects. Toothpaste containing baking soda is more potent against plaque than traditional toothpaste. Baking soda also prevents demineralization.
Can you floss out hard plaque? ›Tartar is made up of dead bacteria and spit that has mineralized into calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and magnesium phosphate. You can't get rid of it by brushing and flossing; you'll need to have it cleaned off your teeth by your dental hygienist or dentist.
What is the best tool for removing plaque from teeth? ›When you visit your dentist's office for a checkup and cleaning, your dental hygienist typically uses specialized tools to remove hardened debris and food from your teeth. Among these dental tools is a scaler or curette – known as a plaque scraper or ultrasonic tooth cleaner – to remove the plaque and tartar buildup.