I totally get the paranoia—felt like I was walking around with a salad bar stuck in my braces half the time. The water flosser is kind of my hero, though. I went cheap and got one of those off-brand ones online, and honestly, it’s still blasting out enough gunk to make me question my life choices after popcorn night. String floss? Tried those little threader things, but after poking myself in the gum for the fifth time, I gave up. My wallet was happy, at least.
I do wonder if the water flosser is really doing enough sometimes, but my dentist hasn’t yelled at me yet, so I’m rolling with it. I brush a little longer now, and maybe that’s helping more than I realize. I figure as long as my breath isn’t scaring people off and I’m not getting new cavities, I’m winning.
- Totally relate to the salad bar feeling after lunch... stuff gets stuck everywhere.
- Water flosser seems easier, but I keep wondering if it really cleans under the wires.
- Anyone notice if their gums bleed less using just the water flosser? I feel like mine still do sometimes.
- Is brushing longer enough, or am I missing something obvious?
Water flosser seems easier, but I keep wondering if it really cleans under the wires.
Man, I hear you on this one. Water flossers are a lifesaver for not poking yourself with those weird threaders, but honestly, they’re more like a power washer than a scrub brush. They blast out the big stuff, but sometimes gunk still hides out under the wires or around the brackets. I usually hit it with the water flosser first, then go in with those little interdental brushes if I feel anything stubborn.
As for gums bleeding—mine still do if I get lazy and skip a day or two. Water flossers help, but they’re not magic. My ortho told me it’s all about consistency and not just time spent brushing. Sometimes brushing longer just means you’re scrubbing the same spots, missing others completely. I started setting a timer and switching up my angles...feels silly, but it helps.
And yeah, the salad bar effect is real. I swear, I find spinach in my braces hours after lunch.
That’s exactly my worry with the water flosser—it feels like it should do the trick, but I’m always second-guessing if it’s actually getting under those wires. I’ve had braces twice (don’t ask), and every time, I get anxious about missing something. There were a few times I thought I was being super diligent, only to have the hygienist show me spots I totally missed. It’s embarrassing, honestly.
I tried those little brushes too, but sometimes my hands shake, and I end up poking my gums or dropping them in the sink. Makes me wonder if I’m making things worse. My dentist once suggested using a mirror to check after cleaning, which helps a bit, but it’s still nerve-wracking.
And yeah, the “salad bar effect” is real. I’ve found bits of lettuce hours later and always worry there’s more hiding out of sight. I wish there was an easier way that didn’t make me feel like I need a toolkit just to eat lunch and clean up after.
Sticking with it is tough, but I guess it’s better than dealing with cavities or gum trouble down the road.
I get where you’re coming from—braces make cleaning feel like a full-on engineering project sometimes. I’ve wondered if water flossers are just blasting stuff around or actually removing it, especially under the archwires. Honestly, even with all the gadgets, there are still spots I miss. But you’re right—being consistent is probably the best defense. The salad bar effect is brutal, but at least you’re catching it before it becomes a bigger issue. Keep at it. The extra hassle now beats dental work later, even if it feels like overkill some days.
