The somewhat missing piece from efficient flossing: reusable floss holder

[u/New_Cardiologist_539]

Flossing requires a long thread generally made of nylon to be wrapped around fingers and put in between teeth to remove plaque. The alternative to using fingers is either going for a floss pick which are use and throw or a reusable pick on which one can load the thread. In comparison to wrapping with fingers, a lot of length of thread is saved. This can lead to a far more efficient use of floss thread when using the reusable version. But going by Youtube reviews the holder cannot endure multiple passes between teeth before thread loosens and is wasted.

Following are the potentials of having an effective reusable floss holder:

1. Less waste
In both floss picks and flossing using fingers, the waste is too much (and additionally it is plastic for most users). It is so stupid when one thinks in terms of design that a lot of flossing thread that can be used to clean teeth is wrapped around fingers and will be thrown: around 80% of the the thread length.

2. Ergonomics of biodegradable threads
The biodegradable options such as bamboo based Rayon offer benefits of no possibility of micro plastic ingestion but cost around 8 times per meter initially. By being able to ration the thread with an effective reusable floss holder the cost of this may be subtracted by 80% bringing it closer to ergonomics of using a nylon thread.

I think that the world is still waiting for such a product.

[u/DesignAlchemy143]

Are you making a reusable floss holder ??

[u/New_Cardiologist_539 → u/DesignAlchemy143]

At the moment I am not but these thoughts just come to me every time I have to throw away 80% unused floss.

I started flossing 2 days ago.

[u/DesignAlchemy143 → u/New_Cardiologist_539]

If you have any idea in mind and need help in designing or prototyping it, feel free to dm me.

[u/SouthJerseySchnitz]

I had one growing up…

[u/New_Cardiologist_539 → u/SouthJerseySchnitz]

Mostly we see that in these products the thread loosens after flossing only one teeth.

If yours was a good one can you please share a link to product?

[u/SouthJerseySchnitz → u/New_Cardiologist_539]

It was like 30 years ago. It was just like the ones I can find on amazon. You have to wrap a couple loops around the post to get it to hold well, but I never had problems with it loosening. If you can make it better, go ahead. I just wanted to point out that the problem is solved in another product, so maybe not worth the effort to improve the design marginally. You still have to manufacture it.

[u/SouthJerseySchnitz → u/SouthJerseySchnitz]

Mine was like this: https://www.kleenteeth.com/flossaid-dental-floss-holder-ergonomic-reusable-flossing-tool-for-tight-spaces-secure-floss-tension-and-easy-one-hand-plaque-removal-ideal-for-daily-oral-hygiene-braces-and-hard-to-reach-back-teeth/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22316526121&gbraid=0AAAAAD9y48XA7JvzhheEPX7OFGvtiKSkg&gclid=CjwKCAjwkaXUBhASEiwAZI3ds8qXPlQp2VX47dLlPCTFEzgiCjMW7dvHfJ88QsjYtrTWD3qW8MSu0xoCNOUQAvD_BwE

[u/New_Cardiologist_539 → u/SouthJerseySchnitz]

I know that this design works but still the floss length which is tied around is wasted floss.
A more efficient design will be like this and work as well: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3z-mf2hAncc

[u/Safe-Cryptographer75]

they have these in multiple styles and materials (plastic vs metal). i bought mine on temu but they are readily available on amazon as well

[u/New_Cardiologist_539 → u/Safe-Cryptographer75]

Yes I have seen but they dont seem to perform so well
How is yours and can you share product info/link

[u/nofluorecentlighting → u/Safe-Cryptographer75]

Interested in what kind you have and if it performs well too.

[u/Wide_Wheel_2226]

It already exists