The best floss is the one you will actually use every night, and on that measure floss picks often win, even though string floss keeps a slight technical edge in controlled trials. Several clinical studies reviewed for the American Dental Association's product acceptance program found floss picks perform about as well as string floss for reducing plaque and gum bleeding, when either is used correctly and consistently. The honest answer to which is better depends less on the product and more on which one ends up in your hand each night.
Key Takeaways
- Clinical trials generally find floss picks and string floss perform similarly for plaque removal and gum health.
- One trial measuring plaque removal found floss picks removed around 19% of plaque compared with 15% for string floss, though results vary between studies.
- String floss still has an edge on tight contacts and curved tooth surfaces, because the string can be reshaped and angled as you go.
- The ADA accepts floss picks as a legitimate flossing alternative, not just a fallback for people who will not floss otherwise.
- Floss picks tend to win on real-world compliance, because they are faster and easier to use with one hand.
- Technique matters more than product. Snapping floss straight down without curving it around each tooth misses plaque either way.
What the research actually shows
Interdental cleaning research has a mixed history, partly because studies vary in design, product brand and how strictly participants are trained. That said, a consistent theme has emerged over the last decade: when picks and string floss are compared under similar conditions, most trials find no statistically significant difference in plaque or gingivitis reduction. A randomised trial comparing a floss pick style product with string floss in children found the pick device performed at least as well as string floss for interdental plaque removal, and other reviews summarising six clinical trials reached a similar conclusion for adults.
Plaque removal, side by side
Where studies do find a gap, it usually favours whichever method the participant found easier to use properly. In one trial, a floss pick style product removed close to 19% of interdental plaque compared with around 15% for string floss in the same group, likely because participants could manoeuvre the rigid pick more consistently than the string. That is a reminder that technique, not the packaging, is what drives the number.
Where string floss still wins
String floss has one genuine structural advantage: it is flexible enough to wrap around the curve of each tooth and slide slightly under the gumline in a C-shape, which a rigid pick cannot always replicate. This matters most in tight contacts between teeth that sit close together, and on the back molars where the tooth surface curves sharply. Dentists tend to recommend string floss or floss tape for patients with very tight contacts, existing gum recession, or bridge and implant work that needs a specific access technique.
Compliance beats perfection
A perfect flossing technique used twice a month does far less for gum health than an average technique used every night. This is the practical argument in favour of floss picks for a lot of patients. They live in a pocket or car console, take seconds to use, and do not require the two-handed wrap-and-thread technique that puts many people off string floss altogether. If a floss pick is the difference between flossing daily and not flossing at all, it is the better choice for that person, regardless of what a lab trial says about plaque percentages.
Floss picks vs string floss at a glance
| Factor | Floss picks | String floss |
|---|---|---|
| Plaque removal in trials | Comparable, sometimes slightly higher | Comparable, considered the gold standard reference |
| Ease of use | Faster, one-handed, less technique-dependent | Needs two-handed wrap technique |
| Tight contacts and curved surfaces | Can be harder to angle | Better access, can hug the tooth shape |
| Cost per use | Generally higher per flossing session | Generally lower per flossing session |
| Best suited to | Travel, kids, people who skip flossing due to hassle | Tight contacts, bridges, more thorough at-home clean |
How to get the best result from either
Whichever you choose, the technique that matters is the same. Guide the floss or pick gently between each tooth without snapping it into the gum. Curve it into a C-shape against one tooth, slide it slightly under the gumline, and move it up and down a few times before moving to the neighbouring tooth. Use a fresh section of string, or a fresh pick, for each gap so you are not just moving bacteria from one spot to the next. If you are new to flossing or getting back into the habit, our guide to common flossing mistakes covers the technique errors that undo most of the benefit, and our piece on whether to floss before or after brushing is worth a read too.
If you are flossing around braces or a fixed appliance, standard picks and string both need a workaround, which we cover in our guide to flossing with braces. And if flossing consistently is leaving your gums bleeding rather than helping them, that is usually a technique or timing issue rather than a sign to stop, which we explain in our article on bleeding gums when brushing.
Frequently asked questions
Are floss picks bad for your teeth?
No. Used with a gentle technique, floss picks clean effectively and are not damaging. Snapping any floss product hard against the gum, pick or string, is what causes irritation.
Can floss picks reach as deep as string floss?
They can reach the same general area, but the rigid shape makes it slightly harder to hug the curve of each tooth and slip under the gumline the way string floss can.
Do dentists recommend floss picks?
Many do, particularly for patients who otherwise skip flossing altogether. The ADA accepts floss picks as a legitimate interdental cleaning option.
Is it bad to reuse the same floss pick on multiple teeth?
It is better to use a fresh section of string, or a fresh pick, for each gap, since reusing the same strand can move plaque and bacteria from one tooth to the next.
What if floss picks do not fit between my teeth?
Very tight contacts sometimes need string floss or dental tape, which can be threaded more precisely. A water flosser is another option worth discussing with your dentist.
Should I floss before or after brushing?
Either order works for plaque removal, though flossing first is often recommended so fluoride from toothpaste can reach between the teeth afterwards. We go into more detail in our dedicated article on flossing order.
If it has been a while since your last check-up and clean, or you would like some hands-on flossing guidance, the team at Lumi Dental can talk you through technique at your next visit. Take a look at current offers or find out more on our general dentistry page.
