Those tight teeth can make flossing a nightmare, especially for kids. I’ve seen some patients do better with tape-style floss or even those tiny interdental brushes—have you tried those?
Funny thing, I actually struggled more with those interdental brushes than regular floss. My teeth are so close together that the brushes just bent or got stuck, which was more frustrating than helpful. Tape-style floss is smoother, sure, but I found it sometimes just slides over the plaque without grabbing much... maybe my technique is off, but I never felt like it really did the job.
I went back to the old-school waxed string type (the cheap generic stuff from the drugstore), and while it shreds now and then, it somehow gets in there better for me. Honestly, I just take it slow and wiggle it a bit as I go. Not perfect, but at least I don’t feel like I’m forcing anything between my teeth.
My hygienist once mentioned that sometimes there’s no “one size fits all” with these products—what works for one mouth might not work for another. For me, sticking with the basics (and patience) has been less of a headache than trying every gadget on the shelf.
I totally get where you're coming from—those fancy flosses and gadgets always seem promising, but they don’t always work out. I’ve had the same luck with the cheap waxed stuff too. If it gets the job done and doesn’t wreck your budget, that’s a win in my book. Patience and a steady hand go a long way... sometimes it’s just about finding what feels right, not what costs the most.
Totally agree—sometimes the simple stuff just works. I started buying those big packs of generic floss at the dollar store, honestly thinking it’d snap or shred like crazy, but nope. Here’s my trick: I cut a shorter piece, go slow, and it works just fine for me. The fancy ones felt slippery and weird anyway.
The fancy ones felt slippery and weird anyway.
I totally get what you mean—those pricier flosses never worked for me either. I’ve been using the cheap stuff for months with braces, and as long as I’m gentle, it does the job. Your trick about shorter pieces is smart. It’s nice not having to stress over every little dental expense.
I hear you on the dental expenses—especially with kids in braces, it all adds up way too fast. My daughter has sensitive gums, and honestly, the basic floss from the drugstore has been totally fine for her. Have you noticed any difference with your gums since switching? I sometimes wonder if the fancy ones are just marketing. Funny how sometimes the simple stuff works best, right?