I do think comfort matters, though—I skipped flossing more when it hurt or felt awkward. Once I found something that didn’t bug me (even if it’s basic store brand), it became way easier to stick with.
Totally agree with this. No matter how good a floss is “supposed” to be, if it feels like dental torture, I’m way less likely to use it consistently. I went through a phase of trying all the fancy woven and expanding flosses, but honestly, some of them felt like they were made for people with gaps between every tooth (which is definitely not me).
The sawing motion tip is spot on. Took me ages to figure out that technique—my gums were so much happier once I stopped just forcing the floss in. I’ve also found that waxed floss (even the cheap kind) slides through tight spots better, so I stick with that now.
Funny thing is, I asked my hygienist if it really mattered what kind I used and she just shrugged and said, “Whichever one you’ll actually use.” Guess that says it all. If it’s comfortable and you’re doing it most nights, that’s a win in my book.
That’s exactly my approach—if it’s painful or awkward, I just won’t do it, no matter how “premium” the floss claims to be. I’ve tried those thick, textured ones too and ended up with sore gums more than once. For me, the cheap waxed stuff is way less hassle and doesn’t shred. My dentist said pretty much the same thing as your hygienist... whatever keeps you flossing is the right one.
I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve got a bunch of brackets and wires in my mouth right now, and honestly, the fancy flosses just get stuck or fray on my braces. I’ve tried the thicker ones thinking they’d clean better, but they end up shredding or hurting my gums too. The regular waxed stuff slides through way easier, especially with a floss threader. For me, it’s about consistency—if it’s quick and doesn’t hurt, I’ll actually do it every night.
Yep, totally agree about the fancy flosses being more trouble than they’re worth. My kid’s had braces for almost a year now and we went through a pile of those “special” flosses—most just ended up in the trash after a few uses. The regular waxed stuff has been way easier (and cheaper), especially with those little plastic threaders. We buy the store brand and it works fine.
Honestly, if it’s not quick, my kid just won’t do it. We tried those thicker ones too since the orthodontist recommended them, but they hurt her gums and got stuck all the time. I’d rather she use something simple every day than fight with “better” products and skip it half the week.
One thing that helped was keeping a pack of floss in her backpack and one by the sink—makes it harder to forget. Not perfect, but at least her gums aren’t bleeding anymore... small wins, right?
We’re right there with you—my daughter’s basically a magician at making the “special” floss disappear (straight into the trash, never to be seen again). The store brand waxed stuff and threaders are our go-to now. If it takes more than 60 seconds, she’s out. I swear, keeping floss in every room is the only reason her teeth haven’t staged a revolt.
