I’ve wondered about the order too. My dentist said flossing first helps loosen stuff, then brushing sweeps it away, and mouthwash is kind of a finishing touch—like a rinse cycle. But honestly, some days I just do what I remember. Those soft picks are a game changer, though. Ever notice if your gums toughened up after switching? Mine used to bleed at the drop of a hat, but now they’re a lot less sensitive.
I switched to those soft picks after my hygienist mentioned them, but I still get nervous about bleeding. How long did it take before your gums stopped bleeding? I always worry I’m doing more harm than good when I see blood, even though they say it’s normal at first. Did you ever get sore spots from using them too much? Sometimes I wonder if I’m pressing too hard. I’m careful, but I can’t shake the worry...
Bleeding gums made me nervous at first, too. I remember thinking I’d sprung a leak every time I used those soft picks. For me, the bleeding eased up after about two weeks of regular use, but I had to remind myself not to go at it like I was scrubbing a frying pan. Sore spots happened once or twice—turns out, gentle really does mean gentle. If you’re careful and stick with it, your gums should toughen up soon enough. It’s more awkward than dangerous, in my experience.
That’s pretty much how it went for me, too. I remember the first time my dentist handed me those little soft picks—I thought, “How hard can this be?” Turns out, a bit trickier than expected. I had bleeding for the first week or so, and honestly, I worried I was making things worse. But gentle pressure made all the difference. It took patience, but my gums did get healthier and stopped bleeding. Funny how something so simple can feel so daunting at first... but it really does pay off if you stick with it.
Yeah, the bleeding freaked me out at first too. I kept thinking, “Am I hurting myself more than helping?” But like you said, it’s all about being gentle and patient. I actually gave up for a bit because the soreness was annoying, but my hygienist convinced me to stick with it. Now, if I skip a day, my mouth just doesn’t feel right.
Funny thing—I never got along with regular floss. Either it’d shred or I’d jab my gums. Those soft picks were a game changer, but I had to figure out the right angle (and not poke myself in the process). Curious, did anyone here actually switch back to string floss after using picks, or did you just stick with what worked? I always wonder if I’m missing out on something better, or if it’s just about what you’ll actually use every day.
