Which one actually gets your teeth cleaner: blasting with water or good ol’ string floss?

I used to swear by string floss - had the routine down for decades. My dentist kept nudging me toward a water flosser, and I finally caved after some gum issues. Honestly, the switch was a game-changer for my sensitive gums. Water flossing feels gentler, and my hygienist says my plaque is way down. Still, if I get something really stuck, I’ll reach for the string. For braces or tight spots, water’s just easier, hands down. But I get the hesitation… old habits die hard.

I totally get where you’re coming from - switching up routines, especially when it comes to teeth, is weirdly stressful. I put off trying a water flosser forever because I just didn’t trust it would do the job. Once I got braces, though, string floss just became this impossible tangle. The water flosser isn’t perfect (I still worry I’m missing stuff sometimes), but it’s honestly the only thing that doesn’t make my gums bleed or freak out. I still feel a little guilty, like I’m cheating on “real” flossing, but my orthodontist keeps telling me my gums look better than ever.

There are days I miss the control of string floss, especially if something is wedged in a weird spot. But for the most part, I’m less anxious about hurting myself or messing up my wires now. It’s not easy to break a habit, especially after decades, so hats off to you for giving it a shot. If your gums are happier and your hygienist is noticing, that’s gotta be a win, right?

The water flosser isn’t perfect (I still worry I’m missing stuff sometimes), but it’s honestly the only thing that doesn’t make my gums bleed or freak out.

Yeah, but is it just me or does anyone else feel like the water flosser is kinda cheating? Like, I love gadgets and all, but I tried one and just kept thinking, “Can this little jet really blast out the stubborn popcorn kernel from last night?” I dunno, string floss feels more... surgical? Maybe I’m just old school, but sometimes tech doesn’t beat the classics.

Maybe I’m just old school, but sometimes tech doesn’t beat the classics.

Gotta admit, I’m in the “string floss is cheaper and I’m stubborn” camp, but I’ve dabbled with the water flosser too (borrowed my sister’s, which probably breaks some kind of hygiene law, but whatever). The water one definitely feels gentler on my gums, and I don’t get that “I just started a tiny war in my mouth” look after. But, like, am I the only one who feels a little skeptical about it? I mean, it’s basically a fancy squirt gun. Fun, but does it really get in there and scrape off the plaque like the old-school stuff?

Honestly, my wallet kind of made the decision for me. Those water flossers aren’t cheap, and then there’s the replacement tips and whatnot. My string floss costs like $2 and lasts forever (unless my cat finds it first). But I do see why people with braces or sensitive gums swear by the water thing. My cousin had braces for years and said the water flosser was a lifesaver - she could never get the string under the wires without wanting to scream.

I have to laugh though, because every time I use string floss, I feel like I’m doing some kind of dental CrossFit - twisting, yanking, making weird faces in the mirror. With the water one, it’s more like a spa day... until you accidentally spray your shirt and have to explain the wet spot.

Anyway, I guess for me it comes down to cost and habit. If money grew on trees (or if my dentist gifted me one like they keep hinting), maybe I’d switch. But for now, I’ll keep wrestling with my $2 floss and hope my dentist doesn’t stage an intervention.

every time I use string floss, I feel like I’m doing some kind of dental CrossFit - twisting, yanking, making weird faces in the mirror.

That’s way too relatable. I still use string floss too, and yeah, it’s a workout. I’ve tried the water flosser (borrowed my partner’s, which might be gross?), and it does feel gentler, but I also wonder if it’s just pushing stuff around instead of scraping it off. My dentist says both are good as long as you’re consistent, so I guess whatever gets you to actually do it is the winner. Cost is a big deal for me too… that $2 floss lasts ages.

String floss really does feel like a mini workout for your hands, right? I’m always convinced I’m making the weirdest faces when I’m trying to get the floss back to my molars. You’re not alone there. And yeah, borrowing your partner’s water flosser… I mean, as long as you swap out the tips, it’s probably fine? (I’ve definitely done the same with my roommate’s before, not gonna lie.)

I totally get what you mean about the water flosser feeling gentler but maybe not as thorough. The first time I tried one, I thought, “Is this just spraying water and hoping for the best?” But after a while, I noticed that my gums felt less sore than when I’d go too hard with string floss. My hygienist told me something similar to what your dentist said: both methods work, but the key is actually doing it - consistency wins over technique.

Cost is a real thing, too. Those fancy water flossers aren’t cheap, and they take up counter space. String floss is just so easy to stash anywhere. Plus, there’s something kind of satisfying about seeing what comes out (gross but true). That said, if you have tight teeth or dental work, sometimes string floss just shreds or gets stuck, and the water flosser is way less frustrating.

Honestly, I bounce back and forth depending on how much energy I have at night. Some days it’s full CrossFit string flossing, other days I just blast and call it good. As long as you’re getting between the teeth somehow, you’re already ahead of most people. Don’t stress too much about being perfect - just keep at it.

I get the whole “consistency over perfection” thing, but I’m not totally convinced water flossers are as effective as string, especially if you’ve got tight contacts. I tried using just a water flosser for a few months, and my hygienist actually noticed more buildup between my back teeth. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like string floss physically scrapes stuff off in a way that water alone can’t. Anyone else notice that, or am I just not using the water flosser right?

I’ve wondered the same thing, honestly. I got a Waterpik last year thinking it’d make things easier, especially since I’m a bit of a gadget nerd and like trying new tech. At first, it felt like it was doing the job - my gums were less sore than with string floss - but after my next cleaning, my dentist pointed out some extra plaque between my molars. Turns out, those tight contacts are tough for the water stream to get into, even on the highest setting.

What I did notice is that water flossers are great for flushing out food bits, but they don’t always get that sticky plaque off, especially in hard-to-reach spots. Maybe technique matters more than I thought? I sometimes wonder if using both might be the way to go - string for the tight spaces, water for a general rinse. Has anyone tried alternating between the two, or maybe using them together? Curious if that makes a difference for those of us with stubborn buildup...

“I sometimes wonder if using both might be the way to go - string for the tight spaces, water for a general rinse.”

That’s exactly what I landed on. Waterpik is awesome for blasting out the stuff you can feel but can’t see, but string floss gets where the water just doesn’t reach - especially those back molars. I tried skipping string for a few weeks and my hygienist totally called me out. Now I do both and yeah, it’s a bit extra, but I’d rather not get the floss lecture again...

I’ve got braces right now, and honestly, string floss is a pain to use with all the wires. I tried just using the Waterpik for a while because it’s way faster, but I noticed my gums started bleeding more at my next cleaning. Hygienist said the Waterpik helps but doesn’t replace regular floss, especially around brackets and under the wires. Anyone else have a trick for getting string floss back there without losing your mind? Those little threaders help, but it’s still kind of a hassle…

“I tried just using the Waterpik for a while because it’s way faster, but I noticed my gums started bleeding more at my next cleaning.”

That’s the thing with Waterpiks - they feel like they’re doing a lot, but they can’t really scrape off that sticky plaque between teeth and under wires the same way string floss does. I’ve seen it with a bunch of patients: they switch to just water flossing and think they’re covered, but their gums start acting up after a few months.

Honestly, I get where you’re coming from about threaders being a pain. One trick I’ve seen work is those pre-threaded ortho flossers (Platypus or GUM make them). They’re not perfect, but they beat trying to thread regular floss through every bracket. Some folks swear by Superfloss too - has a stiff end so you can poke it under the wire without the plastic threader.

To be fair, there’s no magic solution. But if you’re only using the Waterpik, you might miss those stubborn bits stuck right by the brackets. I’ve had braces myself and, yeah, it’s tedious... but my gums definitely thanked me for sticking with string floss (even if it took forever some nights).

I tried relying just on my Waterpik too, but honestly, it didn’t cut it.

“if you’re only using the Waterpik, you might miss those stubborn bits stuck right by the brackets.”

“if you’re only using the Waterpik, you might miss those stubborn bits stuck right by the brackets.”

I had the same thing happen after my first braces checkup. Thought I was being diligent with the Waterpik, but the hygienist found plaque hiding behind the wires. String floss is a pain (and takes forever), but honestly, it’s caught stuff the Waterpik missed. Not fun, but seems worth it.

“String floss is a pain (and takes forever), but honestly, it’s caught stuff the Waterpik missed.”

That’s the thing - Waterpiks are awesome for blasting away the easy stuff, but they just can’t hug the teeth the way floss does. I get it, string flossing with braces feels like threading a needle in the dark. But it really does get into those tight spots, especially around brackets and wires. I’ve seen a lot of folks surprised at their checkups when plaque is still hanging out, even after using the Waterpik religiously.

If you can manage both (I know, who has the time?), it’s kind of the dream team. Waterpik for the big sweep, floss for the sneak attacks. Not glamorous, but your teeth and gums will thank you... eventually.

Waterpik for the big sweep, floss for the sneak attacks.

That’s exactly how it feels for me too. I used to think the Waterpik was enough, especially after seeing all the stuff it flushed out. But then I got lazy with string floss for a while and my hygienist immediately noticed - she said there was plaque right up against the gums that only floss could really clear out. Anyone else notice their gums get a little puffy if they skip flossing even with daily Waterpik use? I’m still trying to figure out if there’s a shortcut or if it’s just grit-your-teeth-and-floss time...

I get the same thing - if I slack off on flossing, my gums start acting up even if I’m still using the Waterpik every night. It’s wild how much difference that little string makes. I’ve tried those floss picks too, but honestly, nothing beats the old-school stuff for me. Maybe there’s no real shortcut after all...

It’s wild how much difference that little string makes. I’ve tried those floss picks too, but honestly, nothing beats the old-school stuff for me.

I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve got braces right now and honestly, I thought the Waterpik would be a total game-changer - like, “finally, no more wrestling with floss!” But nah, if I skip the regular floss for a few days, my gums start to feel puffy and annoyed, even if I’m blasting away with water every night. Have you noticed your teeth just feel cleaner after using string floss? I keep thinking maybe it’s just in my head, but there’s something about that squeaky clean feeling you get after getting in there with the string.

I tried those little floss picks too, but they just don’t get between the wires and brackets the same way. Maybe it’s just one of those things where the old-school method sticks around for a reason. Do you find it gets easier to stick with the routine over time? Sometimes I have to literally hype myself up to do it, but my mouth always feels better after.

I feel you on the “hype myself up” part - sometimes I just stare at the floss like, ugh, not tonight... but then I remember how gross my teeth feel if I skip it. I’ve got a permanent retainer and it’s a pain, but honestly, string floss is the only thing that gets everything out. Waterpik is nice, but for me it’s more like a bonus, not a replacement. It does get a bit easier once you see the difference, though. I get anxious about gum issues, so I try to remind myself it’s worth the hassle.

Yeah, I totally get the mental struggle with flossing. It’s like, I know my dentist would be thrilled if I did it every night, but sometimes it just feels like one more thing. Especially with a retainer - those things are the worst for trapping food and making flossing a whole ordeal. I’ve tried a Waterpik too, and while it’s super satisfying (and kind of fun?), I always feel like there’s still stuff left behind that only string floss gets.

Honestly, I get anxious about gum stuff too. Had a scare with bleeding gums last year and it freaked me out enough that now I just try to power through the hassle. Some nights I still skip, but most of the time I remind myself how much better my mouth feels after. You’re definitely not alone in feeling gross when you skip - sometimes that’s the only thing that pushes me to just do it.