I keep seeing people mention bamboo charcoal floss, but honestly, I’m a bit wary. I tried it for a couple weeks and my gums actually got kind of irritated… Not sure if it was the texture or maybe something in the coating, but it made me nervous. I’m pretty sensitive to new stuff, so maybe that’s just me, but now I get anxious trying anything with “charcoal” in the name.
Vegan nylon is the only thing that hasn’t caused me problems, but I do feel guilty about the plastic part—even if it’s plant-based. I just can’t get past how fast the silk and corn ones break down. I’ve had them snap mid-floss and then I’m stuck digging bits out from between my teeth, which honestly makes me dread flossing at all. My dentist wasn’t thrilled about the fraying either, said it could leave stuff behind and cause more issues for people with tight contacts (which I have).
I keep hoping there’ll be a plant fiber that doesn’t fall apart, but right now I’m just kind of stuck. I wish there was a truly tough, natural option that didn’t make my gums angry or leave me picking out shreds for ten minutes. Until then, I’m just using the vegan nylon and feeling a little guilty every time. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but oral health stuff always makes me second guess everything...
I get where you’re coming from. My kid has super tight teeth and sensitive gums, and we went through a bunch of “natural” flosses hoping to find something that didn’t shred or leave them wincing. The silk and corn ones broke on us too—ended up with little bits stuck everywhere. Honestly, it just made flossing more stressful for them (and me, since I’m the one helping).
I wouldn’t beat yourself up over using vegan nylon, especially if it’s the only thing that works and keeps your mouth healthy. My dentist told me the same thing: whatever gets the job done without hurting your gums is better than skipping it out of frustration. There’s always going to be some compromise, and I figure it’s better to be consistent than perfect. Maybe one day someone will invent a magic plant fiber that actually holds up, but until then, you’re not alone in feeling stuck between options. Don’t let the guilt keep you from doing what works for you.