Those little Christmas tree brushes are such a game changer, right? I’m just starting out with braces and honestly, the floss threaders make me want to scream. I always feel like I’m either stabbing my gums or getting the floss stuck in the wires...which is not fun when you’re already anxious about messing something up.
I totally get what you mean about mouthwash not feeling like enough. I keep wondering if it actually does anything for the stuff stuck around brackets. Sometimes I use a water flosser too—like, the cheap kind, not those fancy dentist ones. It’s messy but kinda satisfying when you see bits come out (gross but true). Still, I worry if skipping regular flossing is going to cause problems later on.
Some nights I just brush and call it good because everything feels overwhelming. Guess we’re all just doing our best and hoping for decent checkups at the end of this…
I get where you’re coming from—floss threaders can be a pain, but I wouldn’t totally ditch regular flossing if you can help it. Those brushes and water flossers are awesome for getting food out, but they don’t always clean between teeth as well as floss does. Even if you can only manage it a few times a week, it’s worth it. Some nights are just tough, though...no shame in that.
Honestly, I stopped using floss threaders after a few months—just too fiddly and time-consuming. I switched to those little interdental brushes and a cheap water flosser I found online. My dentist hasn’t complained yet, and it’s way less hassle (and cheaper in the long run). Maybe not perfect, but it works for me.
Totally get where you're coming from—threaders made me want to give up some nights. I switched to interdental brushes too, and honestly, they’re so much easier to handle with braces. I do still worry sometimes that I’m missing stuff, though. My hygienist said as long as my gums aren’t bleeding and things look clean, it’s probably working. Still, every checkup I get a little nervous… but so far, no lectures. That’s a win in my book.
Interdental brushes are a legit lifesaver with braces, no lie. If your gums aren’t bleeding and your hygienist isn’t giving you the side-eye, you’re probably good. I still use a water flosser sometimes, just for peace of mind. Makes me feel like I’m actually blasting out the gunk.
