I've had braces for a while now, and honestly, water flossers were a lifesaver at first—especially when my teeth were super sensitive. But after a few months, I noticed exactly what you're saying: bits of food (especially spinach...ugh) would still linger around brackets and wires. Eventually, I found that combining the water flosser with those tiny interdental brushes was the sweet spot for me. A bit more tedious, sure, but it definitely made a noticeable difference in keeping plaque away.
Totally relate to the spinach struggle...been there myself. Interdental brushes helped me a lot too, but honestly, adding a fluoride rinse before bed was the real game changer for me—felt like my teeth stayed smoother longer between cleanings. Might be worth trying?
Definitely agree about fluoride rinse making a difference, but I still get a bit anxious about using too many products...you never know what's really safe long-term. Lately, I've been rinsing with plain water after meals, and honestly, it seems to help a lot too.
Totally get the hesitation about too many products...sometimes simpler really is better. Rinsing with water after meals is actually underrated—it washes away food particles and balances your mouth's pH naturally. I'd say keep doing what feels right, and maybe just use fluoride rinse occasionally for extra protection.
I used to be all about the fancy mouthwashes and toothpastes, but honestly, simpler has worked better for me too. A few years back, my dentist actually told me something similar—just swishing water around after meals can do wonders. I was skeptical at first, but since I started doing it regularly, I've noticed fewer issues at check-ups. Still use fluoride rinse once in a while though...just feels like a good safety net.
