Part of Cocofloss’s appeal is that there are so many fun flavors to try, including a rotating selection of seasonal and limited editions, such as Apple Cinnamon, Dark Chocolate, and Sweet Pineapple. But currently, refill spools come in just four core flavors: my go-to Delicious Mint, plus Fresh Coconut, Pure Strawberry, and Cara Cara Orange. If you’re coveting, say, Summer Watermelon or Passion Fruit, you’ll have to buy a new dispenser and then move to one of the core flavors.
If you’re used to a thinner floss, this one’s thickness could take some getting used to, and it may not be for you—I’ve shared this floss with a couple of string-floss-averse people who don’t love it. For my part, I still have to be careful not to speed through my molars, otherwise the spun filaments can catch. But I have had this issue with every floss I’ve ever tried. You can determine whether you like Cocofloss (and which flavor to buy) by starting with this sampler pack (currently $15).
Cocofloss, like most floss on the market, is made from polyester fiber, which means you’re flossing your teeth with plastic. If this concerns you, you may want to try a plastic-free floss, like staff favorite Georganics Plastic Free Floss and Me Mother Earth Biodegradable Charcoal Floss (which I have also tried and like), or use a water flosser.
Compared with the price of some other string flosses, which can cost as little as a dollar, $10 for a dispenser and a two- to three-month supply of floss can seem like a lot. Meanwhile, refill spools currently cost $24 for three—or $8 per spool; each spool is 33 yards, which is less than a typical Reach waxed floss’s 55 yards. Annoyingly, Cocofloss offers free shipping only if you spend $25, so if you want to save $6.95, you’ll have to stock up on refills and spend nearly $50 on floss in one go. (On the plus side, you’ll reduce shipments.)
Personally speaking, since this is something I use every day to take care of my body, I can swallow the price. Life can be annoying enough without having to deal with gum irritation, fuzzy debris, and fiddly caps that might fall down the drain. Even for a floss freak like me, a daily interdental cleaning routine can sometimes call for all of your willpower—especially at the end of a long day or the start of a daunting one. For a routine I can stick to with more ease and, dare I say, pleasure, $8 over three months feels worth it.
This article was edited by Tracy Vence and Catherine Kast.