[Closed] finally figured out the best floss-mouthwash routine

Haha, glad we're not the only ones who had a mini water park experience in our bathroom. Honestly, we almost gave up after the first few tries because it seemed way too complicated for something that's supposed to simplify oral hygiene. But once we dialed down the pressure and got used to the angle, things clicked pretty quickly. Now it's second nature - my kid even reminds me if I skip it.

One thing I'd add is that finding the right mouthwash afterward made a huge difference for us. We initially went with something super minty, thinking stronger was better, but it was too intense for my youngest. Switching to a milder flavor meant fewer complaints and more consistent use overall. So, don't hesitate to experiment a bit until you find what works best for your family. Trust me, it's worth the trial and error...

"Switching to a milder flavor meant fewer complaints and more consistent use overall."

Totally agree with this. I made the same mistake thinking stronger mouthwash equals better results, but honestly, comfort and consistency matter way more. Another thing that really helped me was flossing before brushing instead of after. My orthodontist mentioned it helps remove debris first, letting the toothpaste and mouthwash do their job better. Felt weird at first, but now it's just routine...might be worth trying if you haven't yet.

Yeah, milder mouthwash definitely helps people stick with it. I've seen plenty of patients ditch the strong stuff because it burns or tastes too intense. And flossing first is actually a smart move - clears out the gunk so your toothpaste can reach more surfaces. Glad you found a routine that clicks for you...it's always satisfying when those little tweaks finally pay off.

I've actually found the stronger mouthwash works better for me personally. Yeah, it stings a bit at first, but after a week or two, you barely notice it. Plus, my mouth just feels cleaner afterward...guess it's all about what you're used to.

Totally get what you mean about the sting...I remember when I first switched to a stronger mouthwash, it felt like my mouth was on fire for a few days, haha. But you're right, after sticking with it, you barely notice anymore. Now it's just part of the routine and honestly feels refreshing afterward. Glad you found something that works well for you!

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!

Interesting points about flossing before brushing - I used to do the opposite for years, thinking it was better to brush first and then floss out whatever got missed. But after switching things up (thanks to my dentist's gentle nagging), I noticed my teeth feeling cleaner overall. Guess there's some logic behind loosening the gunk first, then brushing it away.

Interdental brushes are pretty impressive too, especially for tight spots. I tried them briefly but struggled with sizing - felt like Goldilocks trying to find one that wasn't too big or too small. Eventually went back to tape floss because it felt simpler, but now you're making me reconsider giving those little brushes another shot...

And totally agree on alcohol-free mouthwash. Regular stuff always felt harsh and drying, like my mouth was a desert afterward. Switching over made a noticeable difference in comfort without sacrificing freshness. Glad I'm not alone on that one.

I switched to flossing before brushing a few months ago too, after years of doing it the other way around. Honestly, I was skeptical at first - old habits die hard - but it does seem to make a difference. My teeth feel smoother somehow, less gritty by the end of the day.

Interdental brushes though...I tried them once and got nervous about accidentally hurting my gums. Maybe I was using the wrong size or something, but it felt uncomfortable enough that I went straight back to regular floss. Tape floss is my go-to now, feels gentler and easier to control.

And yeah, alcohol-free mouthwash is a lifesaver. Regular mouthwash always left me feeling dry and irritated, especially overnight. Switching made things way more comfortable. Glad to see others noticing the same thing.

I've been flossing before brushing forever - didn't even realize people did it the other way around, haha. Totally agree on alcohol-free mouthwash though, regular stuff always made my mouth feel like the Sahara desert by morning. Interdental brushes are tricky...tried them too but felt like I was poking myself with tiny pipe cleaners. Maybe it's just me being clumsy. Curious if anyone's tried those water flossers? Are they actually worth the hype or just another gadget collecting dust under the sink...

"Curious if anyone's tried those water flossers? Are they actually worth the hype or just another gadget collecting dust under the sink..."

Tried a water flosser for about a month - honestly, it felt pretty good on my gums, kinda like a mini spa treatment. But practically speaking, it was messy as heck at first (water everywhere, lol) and took some getting used to. Now I alternate between regular floss and the water flosser depending on how lazy I'm feeling. Anyone else find their bathroom counter turned into a splash zone when they first started using one?

Haha, my first week with a water flosser was basically a daily flood zone...thought I was just super clumsy. It does get easier though, and honestly my gums feel way healthier now. Definitely worth pushing through the messy phase imo.

My experience was pretty similar at first - water flossers definitely have a learning curve. When I first started using mine, I underestimated the pressure settings...let's just say my bathroom mirror got a thorough cleaning more than once. Took me about two weeks to really get comfortable with the angles and intensity levels. But now it's second nature, and I've noticed significant improvements in gum health compared to traditional string floss alone.

One practical tip I'd suggest is leaning over the sink and keeping your mouth slightly open - sounds obvious, but it genuinely helps minimize splashing. Also, starting on the lowest pressure setting and gradually increasing it as your gums adjust can ease the transition. Glad to hear you're already seeing benefits! It does make the initial messiness worthwhile in the end.

Totally relate to the mirror cleaning sessions...been there more times than I'd like to admit. Agree that leaning forward helps a ton, but I've also found that keeping my lips loosely closed around the tip cuts down on splashes even more. Took me a while to figure out the sweet spot between pressure and comfort, but once I did, my gums felt way healthier. Honestly, pairing it with mouthwash afterward really seals the deal - my dentist even noticed improvements at my last check-up. Worth sticking with it despite the initial messiness.

Totally get you on the mouthwash afterward - makes a huge difference in how fresh your mouth feels. Took me ages to find the right flossing technique too, especially around my back teeth (still awkward sometimes...). Curious if anyone's tried those interdental brushes instead of regular floss? I've heard they're great for gum health, but haven't made the switch yet. Wondering if they're worth the hype or just another dental gimmick.

"Curious if anyone's tried those interdental brushes instead of regular floss?"

Tried them myself for a bit - honestly found them easier around the back teeth than regular floss. But they can bend out of shape pretty quickly... Anyone else had durability issues with these brushes?

Yeah, they bend way too easily. I've snapped a couple mid-cleaning, which makes for an awkward rescue mission between your teeth... Still prefer them over floss though, less finger gymnastics involved.