Editor Tip: We love that this pick comes with reusable handles to keep our fingers out of our mouths when flossing.
Flavor: None | Material: Plastic
Best Proxabrush: DenTek Easy Brush
Why It’s Worth It: Dr. Gelfand notes that for people with wide gaps, braces, crowns, or any super tight spaces in their mouth, a little brush like DenTek’s Easy Brush can work wonders. “A proxabrush, also known as an in-between brush, is an interdental tool with bristles mounted on a handle,” he explains. Similar to a toothbrush, but with the ability to work with more precision, he says these tools are “helpful for cleaning in-between wider gaps.”
Editor Tip: DenTek has two sizes for your dental needs: the original, seen above, and a smaller iteration made for especially tight spaces.
Flavor: Mint | Material: Nylon
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is flossing important?
“Flossing is an extremely important part of preventative dental care,” says board-certified dentist Ira Handschuh, DDS, who is based in White Plains, New York. “It is really the only way patients can clean in between teeth since a toothbrush cannot get in between contact areas of teeth.”
It’s a lot easier said than done, though. New York City-based board-certified cosmetic dentist Greg Gelfand, DDS understands the struggle. “The truth is that most people don’t floss and may be ashamed of their less-than-ideal oral-care routine,” he says. “It can be tough for some to go from not using floss to revamping their entire routine.” But the additional step has big benefits in the long run.
That’s why Dr. Gelfand advises people to ease into flossing and grow with time. “Perhaps start with just the front teeth and add more teeth to your routine as the week progresses,” he suggests. “With this phase-in approach, you can go from not flossing at all to hopefully building a habit out of it.” According to Dr. Handschuh, a strong flossing routine means cleaning between teeth at least once every single day to remove plaque and bacteria from your gumline and between your teeth. “I suggest that all my patients floss once per day in conjunction with brushing two to three times per day,” he says.
Does the type of dental floss matter?
Flossing practices aside, a good place to begin is by finding a favorite floss, which most of the experts we spoke with agree simply comes down to preference — after all, between cordless water flossers, traditional floss, and string floss picks, there are nearly-endless options for plaque removal. “There are so many floss options on the market,” says board-certified cosmetic dentist Sharon Huang, DDS, who is based in New York City. “The best floss is the floss you enjoy and will use daily.”
