Could an Electric Flosser Make Me a Better Flosser?
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
Confession: I’m not great withflossing. Yes, I know how important it is to ward off cavities, gum disease, and even heart issues. Yes, my dentist lectures me every visit. No, I still don’t do it enough. If I’m going to skip something in my bedtime routine, it’s flossing. I rationalize that my superpoweredelectric toothbrushjust helped dislodge plaque and food particles, and I promise myself I’ll do it tomorrow. So if there’s something that might motivate me to do it nightly — like a cool gadget — I’m interested.
I was a late adopter of asonic toothbrush, but it has noticeably changed my dental care. When I heard about theSlate Pro 3-in-1 Electric Flosser, I was curious if this high-tech tool would help me step up my flossing game. I gave it a whirl.
How it works
The Pro Flosser is a souped-up version of the brand’s standardelectric flosser. This version is rechargeable (the original runs on a single AA battery) and has three speeds, reaching up to 14,000 sonic vibrations per minute. The original has a single mode: 12,000 sonic vibrations per minute.
It’s those sonic vibrations that help dislodge sticky plaque between your teeth. The top of the floss head is atongue scraper, and the triangular textured ends holding the floss massage and stimulate the gums, which can help strengthen the tissue.
The Pro comes with fivefloss heads(one is already on the tool in the box). The floss itself is a woven material that’s not chemically treated or coated. The instructions say to rinse the floss head with water when finished and let it dry. You change it weekly. There are different types of floss-head refills available, including ones made for tight teeth (me!) and evenfloss treated with nano-hydroxyapatiteto strengthen enamel.
How it feels to use
I expected it to feel more aggressive, but it didn’t. It felt like regular flossing with a subtle vibration. I have tight teeth in the back, but I was able to get the floss in between without a ton of tugging. The floss did appear to pull out more gunk from between my teeth than traditional string. I also like the vibrating-tongue-scraper aspect.
I don’t love that you use the same string all week. There’s something icky about that to me. The floss isn’t treated with any antibacterial agent, but the brand claims that rinsing with water is enough to remove 99 percent of bacteria.
What a dentist says
The Slate electric flosser was designed by a dentist, but I was curious what an unaffiliated dentist thought of the concept, so I ran it byArthur Glosman,DDS, a dentist in Beverly Hills. First, he reminded me why even the fanciest toothbrush can’t replaceflossing. “Your toothbrush does a great job on the surfaces it can reach, but it simply cannot adequately clean the tight spaces between teeth and along the gum line,” he says. “That is where plaque, bacteria, and food debris tend to hide.”
Noted, but is an electric flosser any better than standard floss? “Not necessarily,” he says. “The best flosser is ultimately the one you will actually use, use correctly, and use consistently,” says Dr. Glosman. “If an electric flosser makes the process easier, more comfortable, or even a little more enjoyable and that means someone cleans between their teeth every day instead of once before their dental appointment, then I consider that a win.”
Dr. Glosman points out that good technique still trumps technology, so if you’re flossing right with a regular ol’ string, keep doing it. “Consistency beats sophistication,” he says.
What about using the same strand of floss for a week? Dr. Glosman says it’s fineifthe string is designed for reuse and you rinse it thoroughly and let it dry completely after each use. “I would be careful with the claim that rinsing and drying kills 99 percent of bacteria unless there’s independent research supporting that specific number,” he says. “Rinsing removes debris and drying makes it harder for many bacteria to thrive, but that’s not the same thing as sterilizing it.” His rule of thumb: If the floss appears dirty, frayed or smells strange, swap it out sooner.
Will I keep using it?
Testing this electric flosser has made me more diligent, so I’ll keep going. I’m curious whether my dentist will see any difference in my teeth and gum health during my next visit.
New! You can now save this product for later.
More dental products we like
New! You can now save this product for later.
“It’s soft yet textured, so it helps adhere to the tooth and remove debris more effectively.”
More From The Strategist
- The Strategist Fall 100
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- The Strategist Summer 100
- I Replaced My Tretinoin With This $30 Retinal Cream
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
