Is Dental Floss FSA or HSA Eligible?
Dental floss, picks and tape aren't reimbursable through FSA, HSA or HRA accounts. Dental care itself is covered. A water flosser might be, with a letter.
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Short answer
Dental floss, picks and tape aren't FSA or HSA reimbursable. Publication 502 treats a toothbrush and toothpaste as a personal expense, and floss is the same kind of everyday dental hygiene item.
If you have a diagnosed gum condition, a water flosser can be reimbursable with a letter from a clinician explaining how it treats that condition. Dental cleanings, fillings, braces and other dental work done by a dentist or hygienist are reimbursable outright, with no letter needed.
The answer: floss is personal care, not medical
Publication 502 says the cost of a toothbrush and toothpaste is a nondeductible personal expense. Floss sits in the same place. It's something you use every day to keep your teeth clean, not a treatment. Floss picks and floss tape get the same answer, and no letter option exists for floss itself.
Reimbursable vs. not reimbursable
Item | Reimbursable? | Why |
|---|---|---|
Manual floss, picks, tape | No | Everyday dental hygiene, the same as toothpaste |
Water flosser (with a letter) | Yes, with a letter | Reimbursable if a clinician names a diagnosed gum condition |
Dental cleanings | Yes | Preventive dental care, outright |
Fillings, braces, extractions | Yes | Treatment to alleviate dental disease |
When you need a letter: water flosser for a condition
A water flosser like a Waterpik can be reimbursed with a letter if a clinician names a diagnosed gum condition it treats, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. The letter needs to explain how the device helps manage that specific condition. Manual floss itself isn't reimbursable. A letter won't change this.
Learn more about water flosser eligibility in our water flosser guide.
How to get reimbursed
For items that qualify, you can buy them with any card at any store (even BNPL and credit cards), then request a letter with Burst if one is required. The letter has to exist before the purchase, so request it before you buy. For water flossers with a condition, a clinician will explain your condition and how the device treats it.
Once you have the letter, Burst files the reimbursement claim with your FSA, HSA or HRA administrator.
Related dental and gum care
Dental floss and toothpaste are personal care items under IRS rules. Dental and gum care spans a wider range of products and services, each with its own answer.
Preventive dental care like cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatments are covered under Publication 502. So is treatment for dental disease, including x-rays, fillings, braces, extractions and dentures. These are reimbursable outright through any FSA, HSA or HRA account. See our dental care guide for the full list of covered procedures.
Electric toothbrushes like Sonicare can be reimbursable with a letter if a clinician documents a diagnosed gum condition such as gingivitis or periodontitis.
Regular mouthwash is a personal care item and isn't reimbursable. A prescription mouthwash such as chlorhexidine is a prescribed medicine and is reimbursable outright. See our mouthwash guide.
Water flossers and irrigation devices are reimbursable with a letter for a diagnosed gum condition. Learn more in our water flosser guide.
Getting dental reimbursed with Burst
Get the letter first, then buy anywhere with any card.
Money in your FSA or HSA was never taxed. Pay for this from your FSA/HSA instead of your checking account and you keep roughly 30% of the price that would have gone to taxes. The letter costs $35 once, so if you spend more than about $120 a year on it, the letter pays for itself. The exact figure depends on your tax bracket.
Here is what you get for the $35. You shop anywhere and pay the way you already pay. A licensed clinician reviews your request and you have your letter within 24 hours, or within 2 hours with expedited review ($10 more, weekdays 8am to 8pm ET). Burst files the claim. The money comes back to your bank account. If the claim is denied, Burst writes the appeal and refunds you. You pay $35, once.
The letter ties the purchase to something you're managing. You don't need a diagnosis in hand. The clinician reviewing your request decides what fits your situation.
Get reimbursed for my dental care
Frequently asked questions
Is dental floss FSA eligible?
No. Manual dental floss, picks and tape are everyday dental hygiene items, treated the same as toothpaste under IRS Publication 502, and aren't FSA reimbursable. There's no letter option for floss itself.
Can I use my HSA for floss?
No. Dental floss isn't an HSA qualified medical expense. However, dental cleanings, fillings and other dental work done by a dentist are HSA reimbursable outright.
Is an electric toothbrush reimbursable?
An electric toothbrush like a Sonicare can be reimbursable with a letter if a clinician names a diagnosed gum condition such as gingivitis. A manual toothbrush is never reimbursable.
What about a water flosser?
A water flosser like a Waterpik is reimbursable with a letter if a clinician ties it to a diagnosed gum condition. Manual floss isn't reimbursable. A letter won't change this.
Is toothpaste FSA eligible?
No. Toothpaste is a personal care item under Publication 502, the same category as floss, and isn't FSA or HSA reimbursable.
Are dental cleanings covered?
Yes. Preventive dental care including cleanings, x-rays and fluoride treatments are reimbursable outright through FSA, HSA and HRA accounts, with no letter needed.
Keep reading: Dental work and cleanings, Water flosser eligibility, Vision, dental and hearing guides, and all guides on this topic.
Sources
IRS Publication 502 - Medical and Dental Expenses (personal use items including toothbrush and toothpaste, dental treatment and preventive care)
IRS Publication 969 - Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans (HSA and HRA eligibility rules and qualified medical expenses)
Healthcare.gov Glossary (FSA, HSA and HRA account definitions and rules)
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