I totally get where you’re coming from about the “use what you’ll actually stick with” advice—it does feel like a bit of a cop out sometimes. But honestly, I’ve started to see their point after trying to force myself to use string floss every night. Some nights, it just wasn’t happening, and then I’d skip flossing altogether. Picks aren’t perfect, but for me, using them is better than nothing.
That said, I actually had the opposite experience with tight teeth. The picks sometimes fit in spots where the string would shred or get stuck (so awkward). Maybe it’s just the brand? I’ve also tried those little soft rubbery sticks—surprisingly satisfying and gentle on my gums, though they don’t always get everything out.
I guess it’s a bit of trial and error. I keep both around too, depending on my mood or how much time I have. If my gums are feeling sensitive, picks win hands down. If I’m trying to impress my hygienist before a cleaning… string floss all the way.
If my gums are feeling sensitive, picks win hands down. If I’m trying to impress my hygienist before a cleaning… string floss all the way.
Same here—if my gums are sore or I’m just feeling lazy, picks are way less intimidating. But honestly, I get nervous about the cost. The picks seem so much pricier per use than a roll of floss, and I always wonder if I’m being wasteful. My dentist says string is “best,” but half the time it gets stuck and I panic thinking I’ll need to call for help... Not a fan of that scenario.
Picks are just easier on days when my gums feel beat up, but yeah, they’re not cheap if you use one every night. The waste bugs me too—so much plastic for a few seconds of use. I get what you mean about string getting stuck though... had a piece snap and get wedged once, and I legit sweated for five minutes trying to get it out. Has anyone tried those reusable floss holders? Wondering if they’re any less of a hassle or just another thing to clean.
The waste bugs me too—so much plastic for a few seconds of use. I get what you mean about string getting stuck though... had a piece snap and get wedged once, and I legit sweated for five minutes trying to get it out.
Totally hear you on the plastic waste—my kid’s dentist actually brought that up during our last visit, which made me feel even more guilty about the pile of broken picks in our bathroom trash. We tried switching back to regular floss for a while, but honestly, with little hands (and, let’s be real, my own patience level at bedtime), it just led to more tears and tangled string. The picks are just so much easier for kids and sore gums, even if they’re not exactly eco-friendly.
About those reusable floss holders: we gave one a shot after seeing them online. I wanted to cut down on waste, but cleaning them was kind of a pain. You have to thread the floss yourself every time, and if you’re tired or in a rush, it’s just one more thing to deal with. Plus, I always felt like I wasn’t getting it quite clean enough between uses, which made me paranoid about germs. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but for us, it ended up gathering dust in the drawer.
I do think there’s something to be said for just doing what actually gets everyone to floss consistently. For my kiddo, the picks are the only thing that works without a nightly battle. I’d love to find a less wasteful option that’s as easy, but haven’t landed on anything perfect yet. If your gums are feeling beat up, maybe try alternating—picks on rough days, string when things feel okay? That’s what we do now and it’s not perfect, but at least it keeps everyone’s sanity intact.
And yeah, snapping string stuck between teeth is the worst. Been there, sweated through that too. You’re definitely not alone.
I do think there’s something to be said for just doing what actually gets everyone to floss consistently.
Gotta admit, I’m not fully sold on the picks, even if they make life easier with kids. My wallet definitely prefers the classic string—those little boxes last forever compared to a bag of picks that’s gone in a week. Plus, I swear my dentist said you get a better “hug” around the tooth with string, which apparently matters? (Though maybe that’s just dentist-speak for “buy less plastic.”)
I hear you about the bedtime meltdown factor though. We tried picks for a while but my youngest ended up using them as tiny swords more than anything else—so much for dental hygiene. Honestly, we landed on waxed string floss and let him pick the flavor. It’s not perfect (still some drama), but at least I don’t feel like I’m throwing away money AND plastic every night.
If only someone would invent kid-proof, compostable floss picks that don’t cost an arm and a leg... Until then, I’m sticking with string and crossing my fingers nobody needs dental tweezers at 9pm.