For years, I flossed the way a toddler eats broccoli: begrudgingly and under visible protest. I did it because I knew I should, not because I wanted to. I’d snap off a piece of floss, get it over with and move on, resentment firmly intact. Then the Flaus Electric Flosser ($119) entered my life—a first-of-its-kind device designed to make the habit easier, faster and—dare I say—actually enjoyable.
The origin story feels familiar. Founder Samantha Coxe quit her full-time job as an attorney to launch Flaus in 2023 after discovering she had 12 cavities. (She brushed diligently but largely neglected flossing.) That wake-up call sparked a simple but compelling question: What if flossing didn’t feel like punishment? The result was Flaus—now a buzzy brand with a Shark Tank deal and a NewBeauty 100 Award under its belt.
How the Flaus Electric Flosser works: Instead of wrapping floss around your fingers, the device uses a replaceable head that stretches a short strand of real woven floss between two arms. You power it on, it vibrates and you guide it between each tooth as it massages your gums—much to my thrill—without having to awkwardly maneuver my hands around my mouth the way I do with traditional floss.
Ahead, I break down what else to know about the Flaus Electric Flosser, from the features that make it surprisingly enjoyable to use to what a cosmetic dentist has to say—and how it stacks up against other flossing methods.
Does the Flaus Electric Flosser Actually Work?
Personal enthusiasm aside, the Flaus Electric Flosser has expert backing, too. Houston cosmetic dentist Guy M. Lewis, DDS, who is unaffiliated with the brand, sees the benefits of these devices as well. “Electric flossers have the potential to be as effective as traditional floss if used correctly,” he says. So in short, yes—the Flaus Electric Flosser works, provided you use it properly.
Fortunately, it feels intuitive. You turn it on, pick your speed out of three settings and guide the floss between your teeth. The vibrations help it glide through tight spots, minimizing the need for aggressive back-and-forth motions. Once it’s in place, you curve it around each tooth and sweep along the gumline, just like you would with regular floss. When the floss strand loosens or starts to look less than fresh, you simply pop off the head, toss it and snap on a new one, a process that takes seconds.
Features Editor Marisa Petrarca using the Flaus Electric Flosser
The three color options of the Flaus Electric Flosser
Flaus vs. Water Flossers (and Traditional Floss)
If you're choosing between the Flaus, a water flosser like a Waterpik device or traditional string floss, Dr. Lewis says each comes with its own pros and cons.
"A benefit of using an electric flosser is that it has the ability to wrap around the tooth and underneath the gums like traditional floss," he explains. "However, it is possible to cause gum damage as some patients may have to push harder to get it between the teeth."
Water flossers, on the other hand, are generally easier to use, per Dr. Lewis, but may be the "least reliable for effectively cleaning between the teeth."
An electric flosser also isn’t ideal for everyone. "It may not be suitable for those with sensitive gums,” says Dr. Lewis, nor for “patients with braces, as the wires prevent flossing down to the gums; patients with braces require threaders to get floss underneath the wires.” They may be safe for crowns, he adds, as long as excessive force isn’t used when removing the floss—otherwise, there’s a risk of dislodging the restoration.
Still, when it comes to gold standards, Dr. Lewis doesn’t waver: “At the end of the day, traditional floss is still the best option for cleaning between the teeth.”
Is the Flaus Worth the Price?
In my opinion, yes—the Flaus Electric Flosser is worth it. It’s the reason I actually look forward to flossing and why I do it every single day, even when I’m tired or feeling lazy. That said, it’s undeniably an investment, and not strictly necessary if you’re perfectly content with traditional floss. But if the choice is between flossing consistently or skipping it altogether, it earns its keep.
I also appreciate the design. Stay with me here. It’s chic, minimalist and refreshingly not an eyesore—unlike the majority of oral-care devices I’ve tried. I personally own (and am obsessed with) the pink version, but it also comes in black and white if you’re a minimalist at heart.
The company is smart about the details, too. As someone who hates scrambling to reorder razor blades or toothbrush heads at the last minute, I love that Flaus includes a refill bag of 90 heads. (That’s months of flossing covered, FYI.) There’s also a magnetic mirror mount so the device has a proper home on your vanity, along with a sleek travel case I always pack for trips (with space inside for extra refills).
Flaus continues to evolve without requiring you to buy an entirely new device. Most recently, the brand introduced a second floss type. The newer option is an extra-strong woven floss “designed for people who break floss,” per the brand. The original remains a softer, smooth-gliding version ideal for sensitive gums.
I've since switched to the woven option and haven’t looked back. My teeth feel cleaner, and my last dentist visit was blissfully uneventful—in the best way.
Shop the Flaus Electric Flosser
