Deciding Between Dental Floss vs. Dental Picks

Flossing your teeth can be a giant pain, but many people have found that using a dental pick makes it easier and more convenient. This often leads people to wonder if dental picks are as effective as dental floss. The answer to this question is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. There are several factors to consider.

What is the difference between dental floss and dental picks?

A dental pick is shaped like an “F” with a piece of floss strung between the two ends. Some dental picks are shaped like a “Y” but still have the same floss between the two ends. This makes it easier to wedge the floss between your teeth, wiggle it back and forth, and remove it. It works similar to dental floss but has less mess.

Since you will not have to pull dental thread or dental floss from a container and wind it around your fingers, this can make dental picks easier to use. It also means that you will not need to stick your fingers in your mouth to floss. You can reach in with the dental pick while keeping your fingers and hands outside of your mouth.

For many people, this convenience means that they floss when they otherwise would not. Being able to carry a dental pick with you in your purse or pocket can make it more convenient and therefore, may mean that you floss more often.

Which one is better for my dental health?

If you will be flossing, either way, true dental floss is more effective than a dental pick. This is because dental floss offers the flexibility to curve around with your teeth to ensure that your dental cleaning them more effectively.

On the other hand, dental picks can also make it easier to remove food particles that may get stuck in your teeth. If you will not be flossing with dental floss due to inconvenience or discomfort with sticking your fingers in your mouth, using a dental pick is certainly better than not flossing at all.