I totally get the guilt thing—threaders are just so fiddly, I’d get halfway and lose patience too. For me, the water flosser was a game changer. I worried it wouldn’t do enough, but my hygienist said it’s way better than nothing, especially if you’re consistent. My gums bled less after a couple weeks of sticking with it, even though it felt awkward at first. It’s not perfect, but honestly, nobody’s routine is.
Totally relate to the guilt about not using threaders—those things test my patience every time. Sticking with the water flosser is honestly a win.
Same here, it took a bit, but my gums calmed down too. Progress over perfection, right?“My gums bled less after a couple weeks of sticking with it, even though it felt awkward at first.”
Progress over perfection is exactly it. I used to beat myself up for not using those threaders daily, but honestly, they’re tedious and I’d end up avoiding flossing altogether. The water flosser’s been a game-changer for me too—less mess, way faster, and my gums finally stopped being so sensitive after a couple weeks. I still keep a pack of cheap flossers in my bag for emergencies, but I’m not losing sleep over skipping the threaders.
It’s easy to get caught up in what you “should” be doing, especially when every ortho appointment feels like a mini-lecture. But if you’ve found something that works and your gums are healthier, that’s a win in my book. Plus, those water flossers aren’t exactly cheap, so I try to make the most out of it. I bought a no-frills one on sale and it’s held up fine—didn’t see the point in splurging on all the bells and whistles.
I think as long as you’re consistent with whatever routine fits your budget and patience level, that’s what really matters. Guilt doesn’t clean teeth, right? And honestly, nobody tells you how much trial and error it takes to land on something sustainable. Glad your gums are doing better—mine took a while to adjust too, but now I can’t imagine going back.
I’m with you on the water flosser—total lifesaver. I tried to stick with those threaders and just kept dreading it every night. Curious, did your ortho say anything about using mouthwash too? I’ve been wondering if it actually makes a difference with braces or if it’s just overkill.
Honestly, mouthwash isn’t overkill with braces—especially if you’re prone to getting food stuck or just want extra protection. I usually recommend an alcohol-free rinse, mainly for the added fluoride and to help reach spots brushing misses. It doesn’t replace flossing, but it does help keep things fresher.
