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Did you know the average American uses only about 18 yards of floss yearly? That’s a mere 10% of the amount dentists recommend, which means most people probably aren’t flossing enough.
Flossing protects teeth from decay and gum disease by dislodging food debris from hard-to-reach areas. It also helps keep smiles healthy and white.
Eliminating food particles and bacteria prevents bad breath and stain buildup. Research also suggests that good oral hygiene and flossing may help lower the risk of health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.
Flossing is essential, but finding the right type of floss makes it easier to adopt this healthy habit. Don’t feel pressured to choose a specific type from this list! Over time, you’ll figure out what you like and dislike, making it easier to find the perfect floss.
Traditional flosses are common in the market. These include:
Water flossers are another type of floss that uses a pressurized water stream to dislodge debris between teeth and below the gumline.
Here is a table to show what type of floss is best for specific conditions:
| Condition | Recommended Floss Type(s) |
| Tight spaces between teeth | Unwaxed floss, PTFE floss |
| You want easy-to-use floss that won’t shred | Waxed floss |
| Wider gaps between teeth | Dental tape, super floss, expanding floss |
| Braces or other dental appliances | Super floss, water flossers |
| Sensitive gums | Expanding floss, water flossers |
| Difficulty with traditional hand flossing | Water flossers |
While we’ll recommend some of our favorite brands and floss types below, don’t feel overwhelmed—just grabbing basic store-brand floss will be good enough in most cases.
I always recommend this floss because it’s easy to find in almost any drugstore or grocery store, and it’s super affordable. You get a lot of floss for your money, which makes sticking to a daily routine easier.
While it might seem basic, this floss gets the job done. It slides easily between teeth to help get rid of plaque and food (even in tight spots), and that minty freshness keeps my mouth feeling clean.
Sometimes the best option is the simplest one. I’m a big fan of Reach Waxed Dental Floss because it’s incredibly budget-friendly. Honestly, there’s no excuse not to floss when it’s this cheap.
I’ve tried this floss, and it’s surprisingly effective. It slides well, especially if you’re used to waxed floss, and gets the gunk out from between my teeth just like more expensive brands. The mint flavor leaves my mouth feeling refreshed, too.
If you’re looking for an expanding floss, GUM Deep Clean is my top pick. This stuff is seriously impressive.
It starts thin so I can work it between even my tightest teeth, and then it expands to sweep away a surprising amount of plaque. I noticed a difference in how clean my teeth feel after using it compared to regular floss.
This floss is ideal if you:
Anyone with braces or dental work knows traditional flossing can be a nightmare. Oral-B Super Floss is designed specifically to solve this problem.
The pre-cut strands with a stiff end make threading around braces much easier. The combination of spongy material and regular floss effectively removes food particles and plaque, even in hard-to-reach areas. Plus, the minty flavor leaves a refreshingly clean feeling.
This floss is ideal if you have:
I’ll admit, I was mostly drawn to Cocofloss because of the fun colors and flavors. While the “all-natural” aspect is a bonus, it’s not my top priority when choosing floss.
I trust the effectiveness of ADA-approved options more. That said, Cocofloss does feel more luxurious than my usual floss, and my teeth feel super clean after using it.
This is great for:
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Water flossers, countertops, or portable devices that use water to clean between teeth are great options if you struggle with traditional flossing. They’re easier to use and as effective at removing plaque and debris.
While they can be more expensive, remember that consistent flossing is key—any method is better than none. If you’re ready to invest in your oral health, water flossers offer a convenient and effective way to enhance your routine. Many people, myself included, find they work well alongside traditional flossing.
When it comes to water flossers, I personally prefer countertop models. They offer more powerful water pressure, which I believe provides a more thorough cleaning.
While portable, travel-sized cordless options exist, I find regular string floss more convenient for short trips. That said, I’ve tried a few travel-sized flossers and will include some of my favorites below. They’re not quite as powerful as my favorite countertop model, but it’s definitely manageable and perfect for on-the-go cleaning.
The Waterpik Aquarius is a true leader in the water flosser market. I’ve used mine for years without issue, and it continues to deliver a powerful clean.
The Aquarius boasts impressive features like 10 pressure settings, a timer, and a rotating tip, plus specialized tips designed for braces, implants, and more. It’s both durable and easy to maintain.
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Highlights:
This is great for:
Note: While water flosser and toothbrush combos exist, we recommend purchasing them separately for optimal product selection and customization
If you absolutely need a travel-sized water flosser, the Waterpik Cordless Advanced is my top recommendation. It’s the most reliable brand in this category, and it gets the job done as well as a portable flosser can. Just don’t expect the same blast of water pressure you’d get from a countertop model.
This is best for:
Waterpik has a ton of portable models. If saving a few dollars is important, you can check out their other options. While I haven’t personally tried them, Waterpik is a reliable brand, so you’re likely to get a quality device.
If you’re looking for a water flosser specifically for your child, the Waterpik Water Flosser for Kids is an excellent option. It’s smaller and has gentler power options than the adult models, making it perfect for little mouths. Plus, the fun stickers let kids customize it!
Key Points:
This is best suited for:
Our team is passionate about oral health. Over the past five years, we’ve rigorously tested countless floss and water flosser products.
As an oral health website, we’re fortunate to receive and evaluate a vast range of dental products—our supplies could probably rival a dental office!
This guide isn’t just a collection of random products. When recommending anything, we do our homework:
All content on NewMouth is heavily researched and medically reviewed by a licensed dentist to ensure accuracy. Our dentists double-check our recommendations, and anything they don’t agree with gets removed, no questions asked.
We often recommend products with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance, which have proven effective. But, for those without the seal, we go the extra mile, investigating company reputation, reading hundreds of customer reviews, and ensuring they provide excellent customer service.
Flossing might seem like a small task, but its impact on oral health—and even overall well-being—is anything but small. Finding the right floss or water flosser is key to making this a lifelong habit.
Experiment until you find what works best! Our recommendations provide a starting point but don’t feel limited.
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