I get the paranoia about water flossers turning into petri dishes. I’ve had mine for a couple of years now, and I’ll admit, I’m not always as diligent with cleaning as I probably should be. Every few months, I’ll take it apart and soak the pieces in vinegar (my hygienist suggested that), but honestly, who has the energy to do that every week? Still, I haven’t noticed any weird smells or visible gunk, so maybe I’m just lucky—or blissfully ignorant.
Permanent retainers are a whole other headache. I got mine after my second round of braces in my late 50s, and I swear it’s like a magnet for spinach and sesame seeds. Flossing around it is such a chore. I’ve tried those little floss threaders, but half the time I end up poking my gums or just giving up halfway through. My dentist once mentioned those little interdental brushes, but they don’t fit everywhere, especially with tight teeth. Has anyone found a tool that actually makes cleaning around those wires less of a hassle?
Funny thing—my granddaughter has a retainer too, and she’s way more disciplined about cleaning it than I ever was at her age. Maybe it’s all the YouTube videos about dental hygiene these days. I remember when we just used whatever floss was on sale and hoped for the best.
Curious if anyone here has tried those biodegradable floss picks? I’ve seen them at the store, but I’m skeptical about how well they work compared to regular string floss. I’d love to cut down on plastic waste, but not at the expense of getting food stuck for days.
