How to Use a Floss Pick the Right Way

To use a floss pick the right way, ease the strand gently between two teeth, press it against the side of one tooth and slide it up and down from the contact point to just under the gumline, then do the same against the neighboring tooth before moving on. Rinse or wipe the pick between spaces so you aren’t carrying plaque from tooth to tooth, and angle the handle to reach your back teeth. Used this way, a floss pick can do a good job of cleaning between your teeth.

This guide from the Timonium office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS covers the floss pick facts worth knowing, a step-by-step technique, the most common mistakes, and when another tool may suit your mouth better. If you are still deciding between picks and string floss, start with are floss picks as good as regular dental floss?

Floss pick facts worth knowing

• A pick has three parts: a plastic handle, a short strand of floss held tight across a frame, and often a pointed end on the other side.
• The strand is straight. Teeth are curved, so technique matters. You have to tip and angle the pick to follow the side of each tooth.
• Shapes differ. Some picks have the strand parallel to the handle, which suits front teeth. Others hold it at an angle, which can make back teeth easier to reach.
• Most picks are meant for a single session. The strand loosens and frays with use, and a used pick collects bacteria.
• Kids’ picks are smaller, with handles that suit small hands.

How to use a floss pick, step by step

1. Start in the same place every time, such as the upper right back teeth, and work your way around so you don’t skip a space.
2. Ease the strand between two teeth with a gentle back-and-forth motion. Don’t snap it down, which can cut into your gums.
3. Press the strand against one tooth. Tip the handle so the floss hugs the side of that tooth as closely as a straight strand allows.
4. Slide it up and down several times, from the contact point to just below the gumline. Go gently where the floss meets the gum.
5. Switch sides. Without lifting out, press the strand against the neighboring tooth and repeat.
6. Lift the pick out by easing it back through the contact point.
7. Rinse or wipe the strand under running water or with a tissue before the next space.
8. Finish with the back of your last molars, top and bottom. These surfaces face your throat and are easy to miss.
9. Throw the pick away when you are done, or sooner if the strand frays.

If you prefer string floss or want to compare technique, read use five fingers for quick, healthy flossing.

Reaching your back teeth with a floss pick

Back teeth are where picks are most often skipped and where plaque likes to hide. A few tricks help:

• Use an angled pick for the molars.
• Open your mouth partly, not all the way. Opening wide stretches your cheeks tight and leaves less room.
• Use a finger on your other hand to gently pull your cheek out of the way.
• Stand at a mirror with good light the first few times.
• Turn the pick so the handle points toward the front of your mouth, then tip it toward the tooth you are cleaning.

Common floss pick mistakes

• Popping the strand straight down. Snapping the floss into the gum can cause soreness and bleeding.
• Cleaning only the contact point. Pushing the pick in and pulling it out cleans very little. The work happens when you press against each tooth side and slide.
• Using one pick for days. A worn, used pick doesn’t clean well and can carry bacteria.
• Skipping the back teeth. If they are hard to reach, try the tips above rather than leaving them out.
• Digging with the pointed end. The pick end can remove a stuck piece of food, but jabbing at the gums can injure them.
• Rushing. A pick is quick, but each space still deserves a few careful strokes on both sides.

When a floss pick is a smart choice

Picks are one-handed, portable and easy to use away from a mirror, which makes them handy after lunch, in the car or while traveling. They are often a good way for children to learn to clean between their teeth, and a handle can help if stiff fingers or joint pain make wrapping floss difficult. If a pick is what gets you cleaning between your teeth every day, it’s a good choice. Read 5 ways to floss daily for ideas on fitting it in.

When another tool may work better

• Bridges: a floss threader guides floss under the replacement tooth, which a pick can’t do.
• Braces, implants and other dental work: a water flosser can reach around hardware. Read why a water flosser might be a good idea.
• Wider spaces between teeth: interdental brushes can fill the gap and clean the sides.
• Concerns about materials: if you want to know what your floss is made of, read how to choose a safer floss.

What your floss pick can tell you

Pay attention to what happens as you clean. Gums that bleed in the same spots can be a sign of gum inflammation. If the strand catches or shreds in one place every time, a rough edge on a filling, a chip or a tight contact may be the cause, and it’s worth having that spot looked at. An unpleasant smell from one area can point to trapped food, decay or gum problems.

Bleeding or receding gums, bad breath and deep pockets in the gums can be signs of infection. Caught early and treated as a serious infection, it can be managed and controlled. See gum disease treatment.

How the practice supports your home care

A professional cleaning every six months is recommended, and cleaning appointments at the practice last a full 60 minutes. That time lets the team remove plaque and tartar thoroughly and check your gums. Intraoral cameras zoom in on each section of your mouth, so you can see the spaces your pick is missing and ask how to reach them. See general dentistry in Timonium and dental cleanings and preventive care.

Paying for your visit

The practice is out of network with all dental insurance providers. You pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim on your behalf so your plan can reimburse you for whatever it covers. Health savings and flex plans are welcome, and financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options for up to 12 months, and Cherry, with plans from 3 to 24 months. See financing options.

Frequently asked questions

Should I rinse my floss pick between teeth?

Yes. Rinsing or wiping the strand between spaces helps keep you from moving plaque and food from one space to the next.

Is it okay to reuse a floss pick?

Most picks are designed for one session. The strand loosens and frays, and a used pick collects bacteria, so a fresh pick each time cleans better.

Why does my floss pick keep shredding in one spot?

A rough edge on a filling, a small chip or a very tight contact can catch the floss. Mention it at your next visit so that spot can be checked.

Can children use floss picks?

Many children find picks easier than string floss. Younger children usually need a parent’s help to reach every space, especially the back teeth.

Get help with your flossing in Timonium

If you’d like a hand choosing the right tool or checking your technique, the team is happy to help at your next cleaning. Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399. The office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS is at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093, serving Timonium, Lutherville, Cockeysville, Towson and Hunt Valley. New patients are always welcome.