Haha, I totally relate to that initial burn. When I first switched to a stronger mouthwash, I legit thought I'd made a huge mistake—felt like rinsing with hot sauce or something. But yeah, after a week or so, it mellowed out and now it's weirdly satisfying.
Speaking of routines though, has anyone found a floss that's both budget-friendly and doesn't shred easily? I've been bouncing between brands trying to find one that's affordable but doesn't fall apart halfway through flossing. Right now I'm using a generic store brand, and it's okay-ish...but still not perfect. Curious if anyone else has had better luck without breaking the bank.
"Speaking of routines though, has anyone found a floss that's both budget-friendly and doesn't shred easily?"
Honestly, I've tried tons of budget floss options, and I think it's one of those "you get what you pay for" situations. I used to go for the generic store brands too, but I got anxious every time it shredded between my teeth—felt like I was gonna get it stuck permanently or something. Eventually, I switched to a slightly pricier brand (still drugstore, nothing fancy), and the difference was pretty noticeable. It doesn't shred as easily, and I use less floss overall because I'm not constantly pulling out extra lengths to replace broken pieces.
Have you considered tape-style floss instead of the regular string type? I find it glides better between tight teeth and seems sturdier overall. It might cost a bit more upfront, but if you're using less per session, it could balance out price-wise. Just something to think about...
"Have you considered tape-style floss instead of the regular string type?"
Tape floss is decent, but honestly, have you tried those floss picks? I know some people think they're wasteful, but they're super affordable in bulk and rarely shred. Plus, way easier to handle when you're half-asleep...
Tape floss is pretty good, especially if your teeth are tight together, but have you ever had issues with the floss picks not reaching certain spots? I used them for a while because they're definitely convenient (especially late at night when coordination is questionable...), but I found they didn't always angle well enough to get behind my back molars. Maybe it's just me?
Lately, I've been using those interdental brushes—the tiny ones that look like mini pipe cleaners. They're surprisingly effective at getting into tricky spaces and around braces or retainers. The only downside is they can bend easily if you're not careful, and they're a bit pricier than regular floss picks. Still, I feel like my gums have improved since switching.
Also curious—do you guys floss before or after brushing? I've heard dentists recommend both ways, and honestly, I'm still not sure which is better. Right now I'm flossing first because it feels logical to loosen everything up before brushing it away...but who knows if that's actually the best method.
As for mouthwash, I've been experimenting with alcohol-free versions lately. Regular mouthwash always left my mouth feeling dry afterward, but the alcohol-free stuff seems gentler and doesn't burn as much. Anyone else notice a difference between the two types?
Anyway, interesting topic—never thought I'd be this invested in dental hygiene routines, haha.
Totally relate to the struggle with floss picks—my back molars always felt neglected, and it made me paranoid about cavities back there. Tape floss was a lifesaver for me too, but lately I've actually switched to those interdental brushes you mentioned. At first I was skeptical because they're pricey and look kinda fragile...but wow, they really do clean better, especially around my retainer wire. My dentist noticed an improvement last check-up, so that eased my anxiety a bit.
About flossing before or after brushing—I asked my dentist this recently (yeah, I'm that patient who comes in with a list of questions on my phone). She said flossing first is actually ideal since it loosens plaque and debris, letting the toothbrush do its job better afterward. Made sense to me.
And mouthwash-wise, I switched to alcohol-free too because regular mouthwash made my mouth feel super dry and irritated—thought it was just me being overly sensitive. Glad someone else noticed the difference!
