Product Evaluation

SUNSTAR

GUM Soft-Picks Comfort-Flex Mint Evaluation

Soft-Picks Comfort-Flex Mint provide a gentle but highly effective interproximal cleaning option

It’s inconvenient. It hurts my gums. I can’t reach my back teeth. They might sound like excuses, but for many patients these statements might well be legitimate reasons for giving up on interproximal dental cleaning. But, what if a product could nudge those patients toward compliance by rendering those reasons null and void? Sunstar does just that with GUM Soft-Picks Comfort-Flex Mint. These gentle, easy-touse, mint flavored dental picks feature flexible bristles that help remove food and plaque between teeth while the soft rubber grip optimizes control.

“Soft-Picks Comfort-Flex Mint made it possible for me to use interproximal care on resistive patients,” said Diana Carr, RDHAP, who works with developmentally disabled patients. “My patients generally have poor oral hygiene and won’t let caregivers use floss picks on them because of the discomfort involved. They were receptive to this product because it didn’t hurt them,” she told DPS.

Cleaning Ability, Access & Maneuverability

Soft-Picks Comfort-Flex are clinically shown to remove as much plaque as traditional floss and to reduce gingivitis by up to 33% after only 6 weeks of use, according to Sunstar. An ergonomically designed wide handle provides easy maneuverability, and a flex zone increases mobility.

“This product is very easy to use. It fits well into most interproximal spaces and removes any debris,” stated Julie Carr, RDH. Hygienist Laurie Leal said, “It removed plaque around the posteriors especially well,” and Jeanette Crofts, RDH, said, “The pliability with the handle makes it easy to maneuver where you want the bristles to go.” Noting that “access between teeth was excellent,” Corey Skriver, RDH said patients who use Soft-Picks Comfort-Flex more often experienced reduced inflammation in the gum tissue.

“These picks are gentle but clean well between tight spaces,” commented hygienist Ellen Ford, who said they are easy to use in hard-to-reach areas. Describing Soft-Picks Comfort-Flex Mint as “extremely easy to use and maneuver,” Jennifer Gugliotti, RDH said, “Due to the shape of the pick itself, it can be used in multiple size gingival tissue areas without changing to different picks.” According to Bruce Nelson, DDS, “the picks made removal of accumulated interproximal food easy and comfortable.”

Durability & Versatility

Commenting on durability, Diana Carr shared, “The picks are soft but don’t collapse or break easily.” Crofts said, “The product aids in plaque removal as it is sturdy enough to not just glide over it. They are small and thin enough to fit underneath/ interproximally around bridges.” When asked to suggest improvements, Allison Resnick, RDH, said, “They need to be a little sturdier for posterior teeth.” Orthodontist Dr. Vijay Bhagia said they provided “easy access with braces,” and Leal said they removed food from areas around crowns “perfectly.” Describing a patient that normally used toothpicks to clean around crowns, Ford said, “He tried Soft-Picks and felt they were gentle, so he didn’t worry about harming the crowns. But he said they were strong enough to remove anything around them. No more toothpicks.”

Patient Experience: Comfort, Flavor, & Convenience

Hoping to improve interproximal care for patients with highly inflamed gum tissue, Diana Carr said, “Soft-Picks Comfort-Flex are very soft, less painful to use than hard plastic.” Gugliotti described them as “very gentle on gingival tissue,” and Dr. Nelson noted, “The bristle design is very comfortable and doesn’t irritate the papilla. Patients love them.” Hygienist Kristen Khoury said she appreciates that the picks do not have a metal shaft which may damage enamel, and Julie Car said it’s more comfortable than any pick she’s used in the past. “It glides easily into interproximal spaces without poking or even piercing gum tissue.”

Gugliotti said she loves the new mint taste, and Dr. Nelson said the mint flavor is very refreshing. Dr. Donald Roman suggested that “a different availability of flavors would help compliance,” and Khoury enjoyed “the minty freshness.” Pointing out the portability of the picks, Skriver remarked, “You can carry them everywhere. I like the small case. Very convenient and sanitary.”

"It glides easily into interproximal spaces without poking or even piercing gum tissue."
-Julie Carr, RDH
Shelby, NC

Overall Satisfaction

Any product designed for patient use is successful only if patients actually use it. Dr. Bhagia said he saw “great patient acceptance,” Crofts called it “an additional aid that people are willing to use because it’s easy,” and Dr. Roman was “able to get a chronic non-flosser to [become] one who now likes to clean between teeth.” Gugliotti concluded, “It motivates patients who aren’t flossing to try something different and easy to maneuver. Patient compliance will be outstanding!”

“I value being able to offer alternatives to floss and have added it to my list of supplies,” said Ford, and Julie Carr concluded, “I really think these are superior to what I have previously used.”

Takeaways

• Mint flavor enhances compliance
• Gentle on even sore and inflamed gum tissue
• Flexible bristles facilitate interproximal food and plaque removal
• Ergonomically designed handle provides easy maneuverability
• Safe for tight/hard-to-reach areas such as posteriors, orthodontics, crowns, bridges, & implants