Best Dental Picks of 2026
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Dental picks are an essential tool for maintaining good oral hygiene. These small, handheld instruments are designed to remove plaque and debris from hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, such as between teeth and along the gum line. They are especially useful for people with braces or other dental appliances, as well as those who struggle with flossing. Dental picks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be made from metal or plastic. They are easy to use and can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Dental Picks
DenTek Triple Clean Advanced Clean Floss Picks
DenTek Triple Clean Advanced Clean Floss Picks have thinnest and strongest floss with over 200 individual cleaning strands. The floss won't break or shred, and the product also includes a micro-textured pick to remove stubborn bits of food and plaque. The mouthwash blast mint flavoring contains fluoride-infused floss strands, and the floss picks come in various formats to meet different needs.
DenTek Kids Fun Flossers Wild Fruit 90 Count
DenTek Kids Fun Flossers make it easier for you to start good oral care habits with your child. The floss picks use strong, flavored floss coated with fluoride, helping to clean teeth thoroughly while making flossing a tasty experience. Their fun shapes are specially designed to fit between small teeth, so your child can floss comfortably and effectively. Plus, the handle is made to fit nicely in little hands, giving your child better control and making flossing a more enjoyable routine. With DenTek Kids Fun Flossers, you can help your child develop healthy habits early on.
Oral-B Glide Mint Floss Picks with Scope Flavor, 225 Count
The Oral-B Glide Mint Floss Picks make cleaning between your teeth easier and more refreshing. These floss picks glide smoothly into tight spaces, helping you reach spots that are hard to clean with regular floss. They come flavored with Scope Outlast, giving your mouth a long-lasting fresh feeling after use. Designed for simplicity, these picks let you floss without the hassle or mess of traditional floss. With these floss picks, you can effectively remove plaque and food stuck between teeth and just below the gumline, promoting healthier gums and a cleaner mouth.
Platypus Orthodontic Flossers for Braces
The Platypus Braces Flossers are specially designed to make flossing easier for those with braces. Their unique shape allows you to slide the floss right under the arch wire and between your teeth, helping you clean areas that are usually hard to reach. On the other end, a pick helps remove food stuck around brackets, keeping your mouth fresh. You don’t have to struggle with threading floss anymore—just slide the spatula end under the wire and floss as usual, even without a mirror. Plus, these flossers are safe for your braces and won’t damage wires or brackets, giving you peace of mind while you keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Oral-B Glide Ultra Deep Clean Floss Picks
The Oral-B Glide Floss Picks offer a powerful cleaning experience that makes flossing easier and more effective. They glide smoothly between your teeth, making it up to 50% easier to use compared to other floss picks, which helps you reach tight spaces without discomfort. The special CleanTech fibers gently yet thoroughly remove plaque and trapped food, promoting healthier teeth and gums. Plus, the micro-textured design reaches deep between your teeth to clean areas that regular floss might miss. To top it off, these floss picks leave your mouth feeling fresh with a cool mint flavor, giving you a refreshing clean every time.
GUM Soft-Picks Advanced Dental Picks
GUM Soft-Picks are designed to make your dental care routine easier and more effective. With soft bristles, these picks glide smoothly between your teeth, helping to remove plaque and food debris for improved gum health and fresher breath. The advanced design features a longer, curved handle and a tapered tip that allows you to reach those tricky spots, especially if you have braces or small gaps between your teeth. Plus, since they come in a portable case, you can keep them handy wherever you go, ensuring you can maintain your oral hygiene on the move.
Plackers Micro Line Dental Floss Picks 150 Count
The Plackers Dental Floss Picks offer a simple way to keep your mouth clean and healthy. With 150 flossers, you can easily remove plaque and food particles, helping you maintain a fresh smile. The strong Tuffloss floss won’t stretch, shred, or break, so you can trust it to clean effectively without frustration. The Fold-Out FlipPick feature adds a convenient toothpick that folds away safely, perfect for use at home or on the go. Plus, the QuickFix Grip gives you better control to reach tight spaces between your teeth for a comfortable and thorough clean every time.
GUM Soft-Picks Dental Picks, 270 Count
GUM Soft-Picks Dental Picks are flexible and comfortable bristles designed by dental professionals to remove plaque from areas between the teeth that are not reached by toothbrushes. The flexible synthetic rubber bristles fit easily between most teeth, dislodging food, massaging gums, and removing dental plaque where gum disease often starts. Soft-Picks are highly recommended by dental hygienists and are just as effective as dental floss but much easier and more convenient to use. With Soft-Picks, it's easy to clean hard-to-reach areas where plaque builds up and leads to inflammation, bleeding & gingivitis.
GUM-889DD Flossers
GUM-889DD Floss Picks are the perfect solution for achieving healthier gums, cleaner teeth, and fresher breath. With an easy grip handle and precision tipped dental pick, these flossers make it easy to remove food particles and plaque, even in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. The extra strong, waxed dental floss is resistant to sagging and shredding, ensuring a thorough and effective clean. Conveniently sized to fit into purses, pockets, and travel kits, these floss picks are ideal for on-the-go oral cleaning after meals. The pre-loaded mint flavored floss leaves a refreshing taste, giving you a confident smile. Improve your oral health and overall well-being with GUM-889DD Floss Picks.
Biodegradable Dental Floss Picks
These dental floss picks have a compostable straw wheat handle and nylon-4 thread, making them eco-friendly and better for the earth. The thinnest thread on a pick is great for sensitive gums and tight teeth. The textured toothpick end helps remove food debris and stimulate the gumline for a deep clean. Enjoy mint-flavored floss threads that are naturally flavored. The product comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are dental picks good for your teeth?
Dental picks have some disadvantages when it comes to oral health. They can collect bacteria and potentially increase the risk of infection as they are moved from tooth to tooth. It's important to be cautious when using dental picks and ensure proper hygiene practices to minimize any potential risks.
2. What is better, floss or picks?
While using a floss pick is better than not flossing at all, it's important to note that floss picks can only clean a limited part of the tooth's surface. Traditional floss or dental tape is recommended by dental professionals as they can provide more effective cleaning. Floss picks are convenient, but they may not reach all areas that need to be flossed properly.
3. How many dental picks should I use?
Typically, one floss pick is sufficient for each flossing session. However, if you notice that the floss is shredding, stretching, or coming apart, it's a sign to use a new floss pick. It's important to ensure the floss is in good condition and effective for cleaning between your teeth.
4. Is it safe to use a dental pick on yourself?
Using a plaque scraper on yourself can be risky. Plaque scrapers are sharp, and improper use can cause gum damage or injury. These tools should be used with caution and preferably by a dental professional to avoid any potential harm to your gums or other soft tissues.
5. Is it OK to scrape plaque off your teeth?
Scraping plaque off your teeth should be done with caution. Improper use of sharp plaque scrapers can damage the delicate gum tissue, leading to pain and potential gum recession. It can also cause injuries to your cheeks, tongue, or other soft tissues. It's best to consult with a dental professional for proper plaque removal techniques.
6. Can I scrape off tartar myself?
It is not recommended to scrape off tartar yourself using tools without proper training. These tools require special training to be used effectively and safely. Without proper knowledge and technique, you may risk injuring your gums and causing infection. Harsh tools can also damage the enamel on your teeth.
7. Should you floss before or after brushing?
It is generally recommended to floss before brushing your teeth. Flossing before brushing helps to loosen and remove any food particles or debris stuck between the teeth and along the gum line. This allows the toothbrush and toothpaste to effectively clean the surfaces of the teeth and provide better oral hygiene.
8. Do you floss or brush first?
Research has found that flossing before brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque compared to brushing first and flossing second. Flossing before brushing also helps retain fluoride between the teeth for better oral health. Therefore, it is recommended to floss first and then brush your teeth.
During our dental pick research, we found 24 dental pick products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 989,654 customer reviews through our big data system to write the dental picks list. We found that most customers choose dental picks with an average price of $6.48.
The dental picks are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of dental picks, including DenTek, Oral-B, Platypus, GUM, Plackers. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Elisa Drew is a really professional copywriter specializing in baby products with five years of experience working as a pediatrician once. She has published a series of baby books purchased by over thirty thousand people in the United States.
Dental Picks Comparison Table
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| Brand | DenTek | DenTek | Oral-B | Platypus | Oral-B | GUM | Plackers | GUM | GUM | SmartLifeco |
| Special Feature | Scrubs between tight teeth and stimulates gums, Textured pick deep cleans between teeth to remove food and plaque ,Tongue cleaner fights bad breath with a minty flavor | Flavored | Flavored, Shred Resistant | Orthodontic Friendly | Shred Resistant | Portable | Flavored | - | - | Crafted With Dentists, Eco-Friendly, Patented Handle Ergonomics, Recyclable Packaging, Shred Resistant |
| Dental Floss Type | Dental Floss | Flosser | Dental Pick | Flosser | Dental Pick | - | Dental Floss | - | - | Dental Pick |
| Item Form | Stick | Stick | Stick | Stick | Stick | - | Disposable Pick | - | - | Floss Pick |
| Flavor | Mint | Wild Fruit | Scope | Unflavored | Cool Mint | - | Mint | - | - | Mint |
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