I've had braces for about 3 months now, and honestly flossing has become the bane of my existence. My orthodontist suggested trying one of those water pick things, and I finally caved and got one last week. Gotta admit, it's kinda weird at first—felt like a mini pressure washer blasting my teeth, lol—but it actually seems to do the trick. Teeth feel cleaner, gums less irritated, you know. Anyone else switched over to water picks? Curious if it's just me or if others found it helpful too.
I've been using one for about 6 months now—honestly, I was super skeptical at first. Regular flossing with braces drove me crazy, and I worried the water pick wouldn't be enough on its own. It took a couple days to get used to, but now I can't imagine going back. My gums definitely feel healthier, and dentist visits have been smoother. Do you still floss occasionally, or just rely completely on the water pick? I'm still anxious about ditching traditional floss entirely...
I've been wondering about this too. I started using a water pick about three months ago because flossing with braces was just...ugh, a nightmare. At first, I was pretty impressed—my gums felt cleaner, and it was way less hassle. But then at my last dentist visit, the hygienist mentioned that while water picks are great, they might not fully replace traditional flossing, especially around brackets and wires.
So now I'm kinda stuck in between. Most days, I rely on the water pick because it's just easier and quicker. But once or twice a week, I still force myself to floss traditionally, just to be safe. Honestly, it's annoying, but I figure braces are temporary, and I'd rather not risk cavities or gum issues down the line.
Has anyone else's dentist given them specific advice on this? Curious if there's a consensus or if it just depends on individual cases...
My kiddo had braces last year, and we went through the same thing. The orthodontist actually recommended using both—water pick daily for convenience and traditional flossing at least a few times a week. Apparently, the water pick is great for general cleaning, but flossing manually helps get into those tight spots around brackets better. Honestly, it was a pain, but we stuck with it and had no cavities or gum issues. Did your dentist mention anything about those floss threader things? We found them pretty helpful...
Honestly, it was a pain, but we stuck with it and had no cavities or gum issues. Did your dentist mention anything about those floss threader things?
We went through something similar when my daughter first got braces. Flossing was a real struggle at first, and we ended up getting a water pick too. It definitely helped with overall cleanliness and reduced gum irritation. But like mentioned above, our orthodontist also stressed the importance of traditional flossing occasionally—especially around brackets. Those floss threaders were a lifesaver for us, even though they took some getting used to. Eventually, it became second nature and really improved her oral hygiene routine.
