I hear you, but I think there are some overlooked options if you’re willing to tinker a bit.
I get what you’re saying about PTFE and reusable picks, but I can’t help thinking about the long-term cost. Those reusable picks seem great at first, but the refills aren’t always cheap, and some brands lock you into their own string. I’ve actually switched to silk floss that comes in a glass jar—initially a bit pricier, but the refills are compostable and last ages. It’s not quite as smooth as PTFE, but my wallet and conscience both feel better. Sometimes it’s worth testing a few options before settling.
Has anyone else had trouble getting kids to use silk floss? My daughter has super tight teeth, and we tried the silk-in-a-jar thing, but it kept shredding or getting stuck. I do like that it’s compostable, but honestly, I ended up back with PTFE just because it slides through easier for her. I get the environmental bit, but if she dreads flossing, it’s kind of a lose-lose. Maybe there’s a middle ground I’m missing?
We ran into the same issue with my son—super tight teeth, and the silk floss just kept fraying or getting wedged. He’d get so frustrated, which kind of defeats the whole point. Have you looked into those plant-based PLA flosses? They’re not perfect (still a bit plasticky), but they slide better than silk and break down faster than PTFE. Not totally zero-waste, but maybe a compromise? I’m still searching for something that doesn’t make flossing feel like a wrestling match...
