I totally get what you mean about the “natural” flosses—tried a silk one last year and it frayed like crazy between my crowded teeth. Ended up with little threads stuck everywhere, and honestly, it just felt like more work than it was worth. I stick to the cheap nylon stuff too, mostly because it never lets me down and I buy it in bulk at Costco. But I do wonder if the eco options have gotten any better lately? Or is it still a trade-off between less plastic and more hassle?
“tried a silk one last year and it frayed like crazy between my crowded teeth. Ended up with little threads stuck everywhere, and honestly, it just felt like more work than it was worth.”
Honestly, this is exactly why I’m so hesitant to switch from my trusty nylon. I tried one of those “compostable” flosses (I think it was corn fiber?) and it basically disintegrated the second it met my back molars. Spent ten minutes fishing out bits with tweezers and then had that weird feeling all day—like, did I actually get everything out? Or is there still a thread lurking somewhere?
I keep seeing ads for “charcoal-infused bamboo floss” and stuff like that, but... does anyone else worry about what’s actually in these new eco-flosses? I get the appeal—less plastic guilt—but at the same time, I’m super anxious about messing up my gums or getting stuff stuck. Is the extra hassle (and price) really worth it if you have tight teeth? Or am I just being paranoid here?
I totally get the worry about stuff getting stuck—been there. I tried silk floss once because it sounded so eco-friendly, but honestly, it just shredded between my teeth and I ended up with tiny fibers wedged everywhere. My gums felt raw for days. I want to do better for the planet, but with tight teeth, sometimes the classic nylon just works better. It’s frustrating when “green” options don’t hold up, especially when they cost more. Maybe someday they’ll figure out a version that actually works for everyone...
It’s frustrating when “green” options don’t hold up, especially when they cost more.
Totally agree with this. I tried a couple of those compostable flosses—one snapped halfway through and the other was so thick I couldn’t even get it between my back teeth. When you’re on a budget, it’s tough to keep spending extra on things that don’t last or make your mouth hurt. I want to do my part for the environment, but if the product doesn’t actually work for my teeth, it feels like throwing money away. Maybe there’ll be a middle ground soon… until then, I’m sticking with what works and just trying to cut down waste in other ways.
if the product doesn’t actually work for my teeth, it feels like throwing money away.
I get the frustration, but I wonder if there’s a bit of a learning curve with some of these eco flosses? I had a similar issue at first—kept snapping the thread—but after switching brands and trying a different technique, it got better. Also curious if anyone’s tried those water flossers as an alternative? They’re not compostable, but maybe less plastic waste long-term...
