I do wish someone would invent a pick that doesn’t snap on tight contacts, though... maybe someday.
That’s exactly my issue—some picks just can’t handle those tighter spots. Has anyone found a brand or style that actually works better for that? Also, with water flossers, do you feel like they really get under the gumline, or is it more about just clearing debris? I’ve read mixed things and I’m still not totally convinced they’re as effective as string floss for plaque.
I’ve struggled with those tight spots for years—some of those picks just snap right away and it’s frustrating. The ones with the “tape” style seem to hold up a bit better for me, but they’re not perfect either. As for water flossers, I actually bought one hoping it’d make things easier, but honestly, I still get nervous about skipping regular floss. My hygienist said water flossers are good for rinsing out food, but not a substitute for string when it comes to scraping off plaque. Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but I still feel like nothing beats the old string, even if it’s a hassle.
I used to swear by regular floss too, but honestly, my hands just aren’t as steady as they used to be. I started using a water flosser a couple years back—at first I felt like it was cheating, but my dentist said my gums looked better than before. I still keep string around for the really stubborn spots, but the water flosser’s made things a lot less stressful for me. Maybe it’s not for everyone, but it’s helped me stick to a routine without getting frustrated.
I totally get what you mean about feeling like the water flosser is “cheating”—that was my first reaction too. But honestly, if your gums are healthier and you’re actually sticking with it, that’s a win in my book. I used to be a die-hard string floss person (kind of stubborn about it, to be honest), but after a wrist injury last year, it just wasn’t happening every night. Water flossers seemed kind of gimmicky at first, but the difference in how my mouth felt after using one was wild. My dentist even commented that my gums looked less inflamed.
Don’t get me wrong, I still keep regular floss around for those popcorn kernel emergencies—you know the ones. But if something makes oral care less of a pain (literally and figuratively), why not? There’s no gold medal for “Most Traditional Flosser,” right? I think whatever keeps you consistent is the real winner here.
I hear you on the “cheating” thing—felt the same when I switched to a water flosser. I geeked out over all the settings at first, but honestly, it just made the whole routine less annoying. Still keep floss picks around for travel though. Old habits die hard, I guess.