In days past every restaurant had toothpicks by the cash register. During that period plenty of dentists were called upon to remove wood splinters from the gums of unsuspecting wood toothpick users. Gradually, those free wood toothpicks were removed from restaurants and people started gravitating toward interdental picks. They served the same purpose of removing stuck food from between teeth but didn’t leave behind wood splinters.
With a similar shape to a wood toothpick, interdental picks are made of plastics.
They are so easy to use, many people use them in place of dental floss. The question remains though: Are they as good at cleaning the spaces between teeth?
Cleaning Between Your Teeth is a Must
There are good reasons why cleaning between teeth is critical to good oral health. Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, can occur in as little as 24 hours when bacteria and food particles are present on and between your teeth.1 If that bacteria and food are not removed calcium from saliva hardens the bacteria and food and it becomes calculus plaque.
This hard calculus can’t be removed by flossing or brushing. It must be removed by a dental professional. When the dental hygienist scrapes and picks your teeth they are removing the calculus that has built up over time. When you floss or use interdental picks you disrupt the formation of dental plaque so it can’t form calculus.
Should You Floss or Pick?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both dental floss and interdental picks so there is no clear “right” answer to the question of which dental tool is better. Overall, though, given the fact that one third of Americans adults never floss and another one third floss infrequently2, it is safe to say that using an interdental pick is better than not cleaning between teeth with floss.
Interdental Pick Pros
There are other advantages to interdental picks. They are easier for people with braces, dental implants and bridges to use.3 They are also easy for everyone to use because they only require placing the interdental pick between each tooth. There isn’t any messy string to deal with afterwards and you don’t need to know any special technique to use an interdental pick successfully.
For those with dexterity issues, interdental picks are much easier to hold and maneuver between the teeth.
Dental Floss Pros
There are some major advantages to using dental floss. Dental floss can reach an important spot that interdental picks can’t reach and that is the area slightly below the gum line. Plaque generally forms at the gum line so this can be an important consideration when choosing floss over interdental picks. Floss can also work in places, like tightly spaced teeth, where it’s not possible to slide in an interdental pick.
Cost is also an issue as interdental picks generally are more expensive than dental floss.
Healthy Gums Need Consistency
Consistency is key no matter whether you use floss or an interdental pick. It is recommended that you clean between your teeth at least once per day. If you prefer to use dental floss, make sure that you are flossing correctly by having your dental hygienist review your technique. Water flossers are also an option that you may wish to discuss with your dental professional. They can advise what unit to purchase, what settings to use and can provide instructions on how to use your water flosser.
Ask Your Walled Lake Dentist About What’s Right for Your Teeth
Not sure whether dental floss, interdental picks, or a water flosser is right for you? Dr. Steven Z. Hechtman in Walled Lake and his caring dental staff can evaluate your teeth and gums, demonstrate proper cleaning techniques, and recommend an oral hygiene routine based on your individual needs.
Along with preventive dental care and professional cleanings, we provide comprehensive dental services for patients of all ages including cosmetic dentsity. Contact our Walled Lake dental office today to schedule an appointment and free smile consultation.
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1 Ask the Expert? Do I Really Need to Floss? By Dr. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque
Link: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease/ask-the-expert
2 What Percentage of Americans Floss Daily? 12/7/2025
Link: https://biologyinsights.com/what-percentage-of-americans-floss-daily/#google_vignette
3 Are Interdental Picks as Good as Floss? A Comprehensive Comparison by Russell Kalbfeld, 7/31/2023
Link: https://www.summit-oralcare.com/are-interdental-picks-as-good-as-floss-a-comprehensive-comparison#:~:text=