If you hate flossing, you’re probably not reading this article but, if for some reason you are, we recommend getting a water flosser instead of traditional floss. You’ll thank us later.

If you don’t mind flossing with string floss or plastic flossers, you’re in the right place! We’re listing all the floss products that should already be in your pocket.

Bridges & Braces

Skipping your floss routine because of a fixed dental bridge? BridgeAid Dental Floss Threaders have a unique shape that allows you to floss beneath orthodontics and bridges. Its smooth edges keep the plastic flossers from getting caught on the sensitive gum tissue. It is a little pricier at $13.75, but the container comes with 150 threaders so we feel like it’s a worthwhile investment — especially if you’ve been struggling with decay around your braces or bridge.

If you find the threaders a little difficult to use, try the GUM Go-Betweens Cleaners. These look more like a traditional toothbrush with thin bristles that work perfectly at getting in between braces, bridges, or implants. The heads are replaceable to ensure a clean floss every time.

Dental Sticks

If you’re looking for something a little less string-y, drTungs Perio Sticks may be for you. When used correctly, these small wooden sticks are just as effective at removing plaque and food particles as traditional string floss. People who struggle using normal floss and water flossers may find that they have more control when using a perio stick.

Affordable

If you’re looking for a floss on a budget (that will still get the job done), try using Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Advanced Floss. Don’t let the long, drawn-out name fool you — this stuff is just good, basic floss. At $1.61, it’s the most economical option on our list and, so far, all of our patients who’ve started using it love it.

Difficulty Flossing

Dislike flossing because it’s awkward and time-consuming? You’re not alone. A lot of our patients choose not to floss because they find it difficult to reach the back molars with traditional string floss. If you have a small mouth, we typically recommend using a water flosser since they make the “reaching” part of traditional flossing obsolete. Of course, not everyone likes water flossers (they can be unwieldy too). If water flossers and traditional string floss just aren’t cutting it, try GumChucks. The name is a little silly but the product is a game-changer. Their shape (similar to a small pair of nunchucks, hence the name) gives the user more control when flossing. They’re also more hygienic than string floss since your fingers remain a safe distance away from the mouth.

The brand also has a smaller version that’s perfect for kids.

Sensitive Gums

If you floss often, it shouldn’t be painful but if you’re new to flossing, you might feel some discomfort at first. That discomfort is a major reason why a pretty large number of our patients give up flossing for good. Before you throw in the string, try using a GUM Stimulator first. The angled neck makes it easy to use and the rubber tip gently massages the gums instead of harshly cutting into them. The GUM Stimulator is a great way to get into the habit of flossing — and get past any gum-related discomfort.

If your gums are bleeding during or after flossing, this could be a sign of something more serious. Schedule an appointment right away to make sure you’re not suffering from gingivitis or periodontal disease.

Whitening

Getting whiter teeth — and keeping them that way — can seem like an impossible task. So many of the things we eat on a daily basis have the ability to stain our teeth. Using in-office whitening can go a long way, but maintaining a white smile post-treatment isn’t easy. To help keep your pearly whites as pearly as possible, we recommend using Supersmile Professional Whitening Floss as your daily string floss. Supersmile coats its floss in Calprox and baking soda which act as safe, non-abrasive whitening agents. You won’t see huge, dramatic changes in the shade of your teeth, but whitening floss can help improve the overall look of your smile by keeping every inch of your teeth clean and bright.

Periodontal Disease

The root cause of periodontal disease is poor dental hygeine. Not brushing and flossing can lead to pockets of infection below the gum line, eventually causing the gums to peel away from the teeth. The result is gum recession and, in severe cases, tooth loss. Like we said earlier — flossing is important. Really, really important.

If you already have periodontal disease, chances are you’re not a fan of flossing, but at this stage, you need to take your dental hygeine seriously. This means brushing twice a day, visiting the dentist every six months, and, yes, flossing. For patients with gum recession, we recommend using Thornton ProxySoft Periodontal Floss since it’s thick enough to get under the inflamed, recessed gums.