Gripit Floss Holder
ClevelandSeniors review

We all know that we should floss our teeth daily. But in reality, we aren't always that disciplined. For some, wrapping the floss around fingers and reaching into the mouth to reach teeth is just too difficult.

The Gripit Floss Holder is designed to make it easier for you to floss so that you will floss more often and more regularly. It's about a 3" plastic device that holds about an inch or so of floss tightly for you in its plastic "goalposts." You then hold the soft plastic device instead of wrapping floss around your fingers and putting them in your mouth.

The body of the Gripit holds the floss and you can add your favorite (waxed, unwaxed, flavored) floss when you run out of the original quantity.

You floss the same way as if you were holding the floss in your fingers - using a sawing motion for tightly spaced teeth, for example. You bend the plastic body a little to release the floss tension and advance a new segment of floss as needed. A little cutter on the device lets you trim off the used floss.

Anything that will get us to floss more is worth looking at and we know people with arthritis or weak hands who are not able to wind floss around their fingers and/or get their hands in their mouth to reach back teeth.

ClevelandSeniors.Com had several seniors (from 51 to 83) try the Gripit. All were very eager to have a device make flossing easier.

Initially every one of them had trouble advancing and loading the floss. There is a diagram on the box and the Gripit website has detailed diagrams as well but it takes some practice. 2 of our reviewers never did get the hang of it and gave up.

The others were able to advance the floss and even add more floss but it wasn't easy for any of them. All the reviewers, including the two who couldn't advance the floss, liked flossing with the device. The little unit is light and fits easily into your hand.

They especially liked using it on the front teeth. Again, it took a little practice to get the technique right for flossing the back teeth but once mastered, it worked well. A few reviewers thought the plastic holders were too sharp on their mouth and gums as they flossed. As the floss went between the teeth, the plastic goalposts holding it would press into the soft tissue of their mouth and was uncomfortable.

Two of the reviewers liked the Gripit and plan to keep using it. The others either could not advance or load the floss or it was uncomfortable to use.

The Gripit is sold online for 6.95 Plus Shipping and includes 50 yards of floss. They are offering a Stocking Stuffer Special. With each Gripit ordered before Dec 31, 2008, they will ship a year's supply of floss (200 yards and a $7.50 value) free.