“What if the pressure’s too high? I keep picturing accidentally blasting a filling loose or something.”
That’s exactly what I worry about! My kid has a couple of fillings and I can’t help but imagine them flying out if we use a water flosser. Is that even possible, or am I just overthinking this? Regular floss feels like plastic guilt, compostable shreds our gums... why is it always a trade-off?
Water flossers are generally safe for fillings if you’re using them as directed. The pressure isn’t really strong enough to dislodge dental work that’s properly placed. I get the concern, though—I had the same worry after my daughter got her first filling, but her dentist reassured us it’s not an issue unless the filling’s already loose. Just don’t crank it up to max right away. And yeah, the eco-floss struggle is real... I’ve tried a few biodegradable options and some are definitely rougher on gums than others.
Curious if anyone’s actually found a biodegradable floss that doesn’t shred or feel like sandpaper? I tried one made from silk, and it was okay, but honestly felt like it just slipped right past my teeth without grabbing much. Has anyone noticed a difference in how well these eco options clean compared to regular floss, especially around fillings or crowns? Or is it just me being picky?
I tried one made from silk, and it was okay, but honestly felt like it just slipped right past my teeth without grabbing much.
That’s exactly how I felt about silk floss, too. It looks all eco and nice, but I swear it just glides over plaque instead of actually picking anything up. I’ve got a couple of crowns and a retainer wire glued in, so I’m super picky about how floss works. Regular plastic floss (especially the “tape” kind) just gets in there better, at least for me.
I know it’s not the most planet-friendly opinion, but I think some of these biodegradable options are still a work in progress. The ones I’ve tried either shred like crazy (and then you’re stuck picking out little threads) or they’re so thin and smooth they barely do anything. I tried a bamboo charcoal one once—looked cool, but it was like flossing with a shoelace. No thanks.
Honestly, when it comes to cleaning around dental work, I’d rather use something that actually works, even if it’s not 100% green. I figure it’s better to have healthy teeth than risk cavities or gum issues just for the sake of a tiny bit less plastic. I do my best to cut down waste elsewhere, but floss is one spot where I haven’t found a perfect swap.
It’s not just you being picky. Dental stuff is so personal, and I think if you’ve got fillings, crowns, wires, etc., you’re just more aware of what works and what doesn’t. Maybe in a few years they’ll come up with something that’s both effective and biodegradable, but right now, I’m sticking with what keeps my mouth healthy. If that makes me less eco, oh well... better than another filling.
Tried a few of the “eco” flosses myself and ran into pretty much the same issues. Silk felt like it was just sliding around, not actually disrupting anything stuck between my teeth. I’ve got a permanent retainer on my bottom front teeth, so I’m already fighting an uphill battle with flossing—anything that shreds or slips is a non-starter. The bamboo charcoal one made my gums feel weird, like the fibers were too rough but somehow still didn’t clean well.
I want to do better for the planet, but honestly, oral health comes first for me too. If I end up with another cavity or gum problem because my floss didn’t work, that’s just more dental visits (and more waste, ironically). Maybe it’s a bit selfish, but I’m sticking with the tape-style plastic stuff until they come up with something that works just as well. Sometimes it feels like you have to pick your battles... and for now, floss isn’t where I’m willing to compromise.