The Product Our Beauty Director Uses For A Cleaner, Brighter Smile

There’s a reason your dentist spends so much time trying to convince you to floss daily. Flossing can get into the areas that brushing can’t, like the crevices between the teeth and just under the gumline. Here, it’s able to gently lift off plaque and buildup before it can turn into tartar. And in doing so, you’re reducing the risk of developing gum disease (i.e. gingivitis). 

According to the Center for Disease Control2, 30% of all Americans have some form of gum diseases. For folks 65-plus, that percentage skyrockets to 70%. So gingivitis is fairly common in the US. Only 30% of folks actually floss daily3—and 20% of folks report that they never floss (the rest floss, but inconsistently).  

Like I noted, gum disease correlates to more inflammation biomarkers and higher rates of inflammatory diseases throughout the body. For example, those with periodontal disease are two to three times more likely to experience a heart attack or other serious cardiovascular events.

Gum disease can also wreak havoc on the aesthetics of the smile. Gingivitis can erode the gums, causing the gum line to recede. The plaque can also harden, turning into unsightly tartar. And ultimately, it can lead to tooth decay or even loss. 

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This all brings me to Cocofloss, which has been my go-to floss for years. What makes Cocofloss unique compared to conventional flosses is that it’s made with 500+ fibers. If you hold it up to a normal drugstore floss, you can see the diameter is noticeably thicker. 

But it’s not just the girth of the floss, it’s the texture itself. The floss is plush, not slick like normal floss. This interwoven structure means more surface area and teeny-tiny crevices. Thanks to this, it’s better able to remove buildup—it picks up debris as it glides through teeth, rather than sliding on top of it. 

And, yes, while it has a very distinct texture, it’s not gritty. I suspect that’s to do with the coconut oil coating that gives the floss some slip. 

Coconut oil is something of a multi-tasking wonder. It’s beloved in beauty as a skin moisturizer (for face and body) and hair deep conditioner. It can be used in cooking, coffee, around the house—and oral care! In fact it’s one of the most popular oils used in oil-pulling, for example. 

As far as dental hygiene is concerned, the primary benefits of coconut oil comes down to its antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-plaque benefits. One preliminary study found that oil pulling with coconut oil specifically had a statistically significant reduction in plaque4.

There’s also plenty of research showing its anti-inflammatory effects5, which are likely due to the fact that coconut oil is rich in antioxidants which can neutralize free radicals.

Finally, it can also help balance your oral microbiome. Coconut oil has been shown to target several of the “bad” bacteria that reside in the mouth and contribute to gum disease6. 

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All of this sounds great, but is worth ordering premium floss when it’s been traditionally thought of as a drugstore item? And believe me, I get that. The convenience of picking up a product at the bodega down the block often wins me over when I need to pick up a home or hygiene product. 

But here’s what I’ll say about Cocofloss: Every time I use another brand, I notice. My teeth don’t feel as clean, the experience isn’t as thorough, and I’m left wondering just how deep the floss really got. 

I often get free beauty and personal care products to test and try (part of the job of being a beauty editor!). Some of those products are oral care, so I almost always have a stash of brushes, floss, and paste. But I like Cocofloss so much more than other brands that I regularly buy it on my own. It’s just a better product than anything else that’s out there. 

I also love that the brand make easy refills. So much in the oral hygiene space can feel a bit wasteful, as it's an area of the industry that doesn’t have as many sustainable solutions. (For example, single use flossers, whitening strips and plastic tubes.) But Cocofloss approaches sustainability from every angle. 

Every new spool of floss is woven with 85% recycled material—spun from used water bottles. And it’s not just the fact that it’s recycled material, but the way that it’s processed is more efficient. In fact, according to the brand, the eco-friendly floss takes 64% less energy to make, with 32% less CO2 emissions and 94% less water consumption. 

The toothbrushes, too, rely on recycled materials: The handle is made of a whooping 98% ocean bound plastic. Cocofloss does so by working with Oceanworks, a company that connects manufacturers with suppliers of eco-freindly materials. 

I just feel better when using Cocofloss—for my health, my smile, and the planet. 

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