You can clean between your teeth without traditional string floss using several effective tools: water flossers, interdental brushes, air flossers, and even therapeutic mouthwashes. Some of these alternatives actually outperform string floss in studies. The best choice depends on your mouth, your budget, and what you’ll realistically use every day.
Water Flossers
Water flossers are the most studied alternative to string floss, and the results are impressive. In head-to-head comparisons, water flossers reduced plaque between teeth by 81.6%, compared to 63.4% for string floss. For whole-mouth plaque, water flossers achieved a 74.4% reduction versus 57.7% for traditional floss. Multiple systematic reviews have also found that water flossers are more effective at reducing gum bleeding than regular flossing.
A water flosser works by directing a pressurized stream of water along the gumline and into the gaps between teeth. Most models offer pressure settings ranging from about 10 PSI up to 100 PSI. If you’re new to water flossing, have sensitive gums, or recently had dental work, start in the 10 to 40 PSI range. For everyday maintenance with healthy gums, 40 to 70 PSI hits the sweet spot of thorough cleaning without discomfort. Settings above 70 PSI are best reserved for occasional use, maybe once or twice a week, since daily blasting at full power can irritate gum tissue over time. If your gums bleed or feel sore afterward, dial the pressure back.
Countertop models with a reservoir tend to offer more consistent pressure, while cordless portable versions are convenient for travel. Expect to spend $30 to $80 for a reliable unit.
Interdental Brushes
Interdental brushes are tiny, bristled brushes shaped like miniature bottle brushes. You slide them into the space between two teeth and move them back and forth a few times. They come in various widths, from very slim (for tight gaps) to wider sizes for larger spaces, and many dentists now recommend them as a first-line alternative to floss.
The key is choosing the right size. The brush should fit snugly between your teeth without forcing it. If one size fits your front teeth but not your molars, you may need two different sizes. Most brands sell variety packs for exactly this reason. Unlike string floss, interdental brushes are reusable for several days before the bristles wear out, making them a practical daily habit. They’re especially effective for people with gaps between teeth, gum recession, or dental bridges where string floss can’t easily reach.
Air Flossers
Air flossers take a different approach from water flossers. Instead of a continuous water stream, they shoot a tiny burst of air and water droplets at high velocity into the space between teeth. This creates intense but brief pressure that physically detaches the sticky film of bacteria from tooth surfaces. Both the high-speed water droplets and the entrained air bubbles contribute to the cleaning action, generating enough force at the surface to dislodge buildup.
In a clinical trial comparing an air flosser (filled with an essential oil solution) to waxed dental floss, researchers found no significant difference in gum bleeding, plaque levels, or gum irritation between the two groups. For people who find water flossers messy or time-consuming, air flossers offer a faster, less splashy option that performs comparably to string floss.
Therapeutic Mouthwash
Mouthwash alone won’t replace the mechanical scrubbing action of floss or a brush, but certain therapeutic formulas do penetrate between teeth and into the bacterial film that coats tooth surfaces. Essential oil mouthwashes (the kind with active ingredients like thymol and eucalyptol) kill bacteria by disrupting their cell walls, slowing their multiplication, and preventing them from clumping together. Studies have demonstrated that these rinses can penetrate into the plaque biofilm itself, not just wash over the top of it.
Chlorhexidine rinses, available by prescription in some countries and over the counter in others, bind to the bacterial cell membrane and penetrate plaque as well. They’re typically recommended for short-term use since they can stain teeth with prolonged daily use.
Think of therapeutic mouthwash as a supplement, not a standalone replacement. Pairing it with a water flosser or interdental brushes gives you both the mechanical disruption and the antimicrobial action.
What Works Best With Braces or Retainers
Orthodontic hardware makes traditional flossing nearly impossible without specialized tools. If you have braces, a water flosser is one of the easiest solutions. The water stream cleans around brackets and under wires without catching or snagging. Medium pressure settings (40 to 70 PSI) typically clear trapped food effectively without risking damage to brackets or wires.
Interdental brushes also work well around braces. Their small bristled heads can reach around brackets, under archwires, and into the tight spaces that string floss struggles with. For permanent retainers, the wire bonded behind your teeth blocks normal flossing entirely. Superfloss, which has a stiffened end for threading under the retainer wire and a spongy middle section for cleaning, is designed for exactly this situation. Some slim floss picks are also narrow enough to slide under a retainer wire.
Picking the Right Alternative for You
The best flossing alternative is the one you’ll actually use consistently. Here’s how they compare in practical terms:
- Water flosser: Best overall plaque removal in studies. Requires electricity or charging, a water reservoir, and some counter space. Takes about 60 seconds to use.
- Interdental brushes: Simple, portable, no power needed. Best for people with moderate to wide gaps between teeth. Less effective if your teeth are very tightly spaced.
- Air flosser: Fastest option, minimal mess, comparable to string floss in clinical results. More expensive upfront than interdental brushes, and replacement tips add ongoing cost.
- Therapeutic mouthwash: Easiest habit to maintain but least effective as a solo method. Best used alongside one of the mechanical options above.
If you have healthy gums and tightly spaced teeth, a water flosser gives you the most thorough clean. If you have wider gaps, gum recession, or dental work like bridges, interdental brushes are hard to beat for precision. If your main barrier to flossing has always been that you find it tedious, an air flosser removes most of the friction from the habit. Any of these options, used daily, will do more for your gums than a pack of string floss collecting dust in a drawer.