You’re preaching to the choir about the cost of those little brushes. I swear, they snap if you even look at them wrong. I tried the water flosser route too, but honestly, the price tag and all the parts to clean just weren’t worth it for me. Waxed floss and a threader is a bit fiddly at first, but once you get into a groove, it’s way less hassle and definitely easier on the budget. Plus, I feel like I’m actually getting the gunk out, not just blasting water around.
Those little brushes really are a pain. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve snapped one mid-use—sometimes I think they’re made to only last a week, tops. I totally get what you mean about the water flossers, too. I tried one after a patient raved about it, but honestly, cleaning all the tiny parts felt like more work than just using regular floss. And those replacement tips aren’t cheap either.
Waxed floss with a threader can be awkward at first, especially if you’ve got tight contacts or a permanent retainer. But after a few weeks, muscle memory kicks in and it’s almost automatic. I’ve noticed people who stick with it seem to have fewer issues with those sneaky cavities between teeth. There’s just something satisfying about actually seeing the stuff come out, you know? Water flossers can help, but they don’t always replace the old-school method.
One thing that helps me stick with it: keeping floss stashed everywhere—car, bag, desk drawer. Makes it less of a chore.
Waxed floss with a threader can be awkward at first, especially if you’ve got tight contacts or a permanent retainer.
Yep, that’s me—tight teeth and a retainer since high school. I used to dread flossing because I’d either snap the floss or get it stuck (cue panic). Here’s my cheap hack: I buy those big multipacks of waxed floss at the dollar store and just use a regular sewing needle as a threader. Not fancy, but it works and I don’t have to keep buying those overpriced plastic things. Honestly, after a couple weeks it’s like muscle memory—now I can do it one-handed while scrolling my phone.
Honestly, after a couple weeks it’s like muscle memory—now I can do it one-handed while scrolling my phone.
That’s seriously impressive. I’m still at the stage where I get nervous every time the floss feels stuck, like I’m about to lose circulation in my fingers or snap something off my retainer. I’ve tried the sewing needle trick too, but sometimes I worry about poking my gums (paranoid, I know).
The cheap floss is a lifesaver though. I used to shell out for those fancy threaders and then feel guilty tossing all that plastic. Still, I get anxious about whether I’m actually getting everything clean enough—like, what if I’m missing stuff between my teeth and end up with one of those sneaky in-between cavities? My last dentist visit they found a tiny cavity hiding right behind my retainer wire, and I felt so defeated.
Has anyone here had luck with those tiny interdental brushes? I’m kind of scared to try them because my teeth are so tight, but maybe they’re less stressful than wrestling with floss...
I totally get the anxiety about flossing around a retainer. Every time I feel the floss snag or my finger goes numb, I start imagining worst-case scenarios—like snapping the wire or getting it hopelessly stuck. I tried those interdental brushes once because my hygienist recommended them, but honestly, my teeth are so tight it felt like trying to squeeze a couch through a doggy door. I was convinced I'd either bend the wire or poke a hole in my gum.
That said, I know some people swear by them, especially if you can find the tiniest size. I ended up sticking with floss threaders (even though they're fiddly and wasteful) just because they feel less risky for me. Still, I totally get your guilt about the plastic. Wish there was a better solution.
Getting that cavity behind the retainer wire is such a gut punch. I had one in almost the exact same spot and felt like all my effort was for nothing. But honestly, even being this worried probably means you’re doing way better than you think.
