Switching to floss picks totally changed my nightly routine

I don’t think it’s cheating at all... if anything, it feels like finally finding a shortcut that actually works.

Funny, I had the same hesitation about picks vs “real” floss. Like, is this just the lazy way out? But honestly, if it’s working better and you’re actually doing it more often, doesn’t that count for more? I’m curious - do you find the picks get into tight spots as well as string floss? Sometimes I feel like the picks are a bit thicker, but maybe I’m just being picky (pun intended).

I used to be all about the traditional floss, but honestly, I’d skip it half the time because it was such a hassle. The picks made it way easier for me to stick with the habit, even if I sometimes feel like they’re a bit bulky for the really tight spaces. I’ve noticed if I angle them just right, they usually get the job done, but there’s still the occasional spot where only string floss seems to work. Still, I figure doing it consistently with picks beats barely flossing at all.

I totally get where you’re coming from. I remember feeling like traditional floss was just one more thing to dread at night - especially after a long day when all I wanted was to crash. The picks really do make it easier to stick to the routine. I used to skip flossing way more often than I care to admit, and my gums definitely noticed.

“Still, I figure doing it consistently with picks beats barely flossing at all.”

Honestly, that’s spot on. Consistency is so much more important than chasing perfection with technique or tools. I know some people are purists about string floss, and yeah, there are those tight spots where nothing else works quite as well. But for most of us, the best floss is the one we’ll actually use.

Funny thing - I once asked my dentist if picks were “good enough” and she basically said, “It’s better than nothing, and way better than only flossing before appointments.” She did suggest that if I felt like I was missing spots, maybe just keep a little bit of string floss around for those tricky areas. That’s what I do now - mostly picks, but string for the stubborn bits.

I think the guilt around not doing it “perfectly” keeps a lot of people from building the habit at all. If picks help you keep up with it nightly, that’s a win in my book. Plus, your gums will thank you in the long run.

Anyway, you’re not alone in finding the picks a bit bulky sometimes. I’ve tried a few different brands and some are definitely slimmer than others - might be worth experimenting if you haven’t already. Either way, it’s awesome that you found something that works for you and makes flossing less of a chore.

Totally agree about the guilt thing - it’s wild how much that can mess with building habits. I used to feel like if I wasn’t “doing it right,” it wasn’t worth doing at all, which is just silly in hindsight. I’m with you on the picks being a game changer, though. Have you ever tried those soft rubber picks? I found them way less bulky, but I’m not sure they clean quite as well. Curious if anyone’s had better luck with those or if it’s just a personal preference thing...

I found them way less bulky, but I’m not sure they clean quite as well.

I get what you mean about the guilt - used to beat myself up for missing a night, then just give up for weeks. About the rubber picks, I’ve tried them and honestly, they feel gentler but sometimes stuff gets stuck anyway. Do you find they wear out faster?

Yeah, I noticed the rubber ones wear out way quicker too. Honestly, I went back to the string picks after a while - just feels like they get in the tight spots better, even if they’re a bit more annoying to use. The rubber ones are comfy, but I always end up snapping them or they just stop working after a couple teeth. Maybe it’s just me being rough with them, though...

I totally get what you mean about the rubber ones snapping. I tried them for a week and honestly, it felt like I was going through a pack every couple days. The string picks are a bit awkward for me, but they do seem to actually get stuff out way better, especially in those weird tight spots. I’m always worried I’m not doing it right or gonna hurt my gums, but so far no disasters... just takes a bit of practice, I guess.

The string picks are a bit awkward for me, but they do seem to actually get stuff out way better, especially in those weird tight spots.

Same here - my kid’s dentist actually recommended the string ones for us after we went through a mountain of those rubber picks. I was worried about hurting their gums too, but the hygienist said to just go slow and “hug” the tooth with the string, not saw back and forth. First few nights were clumsy, but now it’s part of our routine. I still have to remind my son not to snap it down too hard... it’s a learning curve for both of us.

the hygienist said to just go slow and “hug” the tooth with the string, not saw back and forth.

That’s what finally made it click for me, too. I used to rush and my gums would get sore, but once I slowed down, it actually felt kind of soothing. My grandkids still grumble about it, but I keep telling them - better a little awkward now than fillings later. It does get easier with practice.

I totally get what you mean about slowing down making all the difference. For ages, I thought flossing was supposed to be this quick thing - just zip through and done. My gums always felt sore and honestly, I dreaded it. But after a hygienist showed me that “hug the tooth” move, it weirdly became kind of meditative? Like, not exactly spa-level relaxing but definitely less of a chore.

Your grandkids grumbling reminds me of my nephew. He said floss picks were “too annoying” at first, but now he actually asks for them if we run out. Do you think the picks are easier for kids than traditional string? I feel like anything that gets them to do it without a fight is a win.

You’re right though, it really does get easier with practice. And I swear my teeth look brighter since I started taking my time. Have you noticed any difference in your own smile?

He said floss picks were “too annoying” at first, but now he actually asks for them if we run out. Do you think the picks are easier for kids than traditional string? I feel like anything that gets them to do it without a fight is a win.

I’ve wondered the same thing about picks vs. string, honestly. My daughter flat-out refused to even try regular floss - said it was “gross” and “too fiddly.” The first time I handed her a pick, she still made a face, but after a few nights she kind of got into it. I think it helps that she can see exactly where the floss is going and doesn’t have to wrap anything around her fingers (which always left little red marks on mine). For her, the picks definitely made it less of a battle.

If I’m being totally honest, I still prefer regular floss for myself, but I get why kids like the picks. They’re just easier to handle with small hands. The only downside is they’re not as flexible for those tight spots between teeth, but if it means she’s actually flossing instead of skipping it...I’ll take it.

You mentioned noticing your teeth looking brighter after slowing down - I’ve had a similar experience. At first, I thought maybe it was just wishful thinking, but after a couple of weeks of really taking my time (and doing that “hug the tooth” thing), my teeth felt smoother and looked less yellow. Not like a whitening treatment or anything dramatic, but definitely fresher. My hygienist said sometimes just removing all the plaque properly can make a big difference in how your teeth reflect light.

One thing I will say: my gums bled a lot when I first started being more careful. Apparently that’s normal if you haven’t been getting all the gunk out before, but it freaked me out at first. It settled down after about a week or so.

Funny how something as simple as changing how you floss can actually change your whole attitude about it. Never thought I’d say that, but here we are...

I get what you’re saying about picks making it easier for kids, but I actually had the opposite experience with my son. He kept snapping the floss off the pick or poking his gums, so we went back to string (the waxed kind). It was a pain at first, but after a bit of practice, he got the hang of it and now he’s pretty quick.

The only downside is they’re not as flexible for those tight spots between teeth, but if it means she’s actually flossing instead of skipping it...I’ll take it.

That’s fair, but I guess I’d rather have him do a slightly messier job with string and really get into those tight spaces than just swipe at the easy ones with a pick. For us, a little extra effort up front paid off.

My daughter actually struggled with floss picks, too - she’d push way too hard and either bend the pick or jab her gums, which turned her off from flossing altogether for a while. We switched to waxed string as well, and after a few awkward tries, she figured out how to get around her braces without shredding the floss. It’s definitely not as quick as using a pick, but she’s getting much better coverage now. Sometimes it just takes a bit of trial and error to see what sticks for each kid.

Honestly, I feel you on the floss pick struggle. My son just snapped them left and right, and those things aren’t exactly cheap if you’re going through a pack a week. We switched to regular waxed floss too, and yeah, it’s a bit fiddly at first, but I figure the cost adds up way slower. Plus, it seems like he’s actually cleaning better now - he used to just swipe the pick between a couple teeth and call it done. I do wonder if the extra few minutes are worth it for everyone, but I guess with braces there’s not much choice.

Haha, I swear those floss picks are like the tooth fairy’s revenge - snap, snap, gone. I totally get what you mean about the cost, too... they seem cheap until you’re restocking every week. My kid had braces for a year and regular waxed floss was a pain at first, but honestly, after a while he got way faster at it. Plus, I like knowing he’s actually getting in there, not just pretending. It’s a few extra minutes, but hey - better than surprise cavities, right?

I totally hear you about the floss picks snapping all the time. I used to think they’d be easier, but I swear I go through a pack in no time - half of them break before I’m even halfway done. Honestly, I got kind of lazy with them, too. It felt quick, but then at my last cleaning my hygienist could tell I was “cutting corners,” as she put it. That was a little embarrassing.

My dentist actually suggested going back to regular floss, especially since I’ve got a couple tight spots between my molars. It took a bit to get the hang of it again, but now it’s almost automatic. I do miss the convenience of the picks, but I feel like I’m actually doing a better job now. Plus, I’m not tossing so much plastic every week, which is a nice bonus.

Funny thing, my nephew just got braces and he’s already faster at flossing than I am. Guess it really is one of those things you get used to if you have to.

I do miss the convenience of the picks, but I feel like I’m actually doing a better job now. Plus, I’m not tossing so much plastic every week, which is a nice bonus.

That’s honestly one of the reasons I’ve been thinking about switching back to regular floss too. With braces, I have to use those little threader things and it’s such a process… but the waste from all those broken picks kind of gets to me. Did you ever try any of the reusable picks or water flossers? I keep wondering if those actually work as well as regular floss, especially for tight spots.

I totally get the frustration with all the extra plastic. I tried a water flosser last year because I was tired of buying so many picks, and honestly, it was kind of fun at first - felt like a mini power washer for my teeth. But for me, it didn’t really get in between the tightest spots, especially around my old fillings. I still ended up needing regular floss for those stubborn areas. The water flosser is nice for a quick clean, but I wouldn’t say it fully replaces the old-school stuff, at least for my teeth.

Totally get where you’re coming from. I use a water flosser too, and it’s awesome for a quick rinse, but I still need regular floss for those super tight spots, especially around my crowns. It’s like, one tool just isn’t enough sometimes.

I’ve noticed the same thing - water flossers are great, but they just don’t get between those really tight teeth for me either. Do you find floss picks work better than regular string floss around your crowns, or is it about the same?