I get the intimidation thing—string floss always felt like a medieval torture device to me, especially the first few times I tried it. The water flosser, on the other hand, is sort of fun? Well, “fun” might be a stretch, but at least I’m not wincing or bracing myself every night.
I’ve read a ton about this (because dental anxiety = endless Google rabbit holes) and it seems like there’s no perfect answer. Dentists say string floss is technically better at scraping off plaque between teeth, but I swear I was just making my gums angry with it. I’d end up with sore spots and sometimes even a little blood, which made me want to avoid flossing altogether. Not exactly a win for oral hygiene.
The water flosser is honestly the only thing that got me into a daily routine. It feels gentle, and I actually notice less redness in my gums now. Maybe it’s not getting every last bit of plaque, but at least I’m actually cleaning between my teeth instead of skipping it out of dread. I still keep some floss around for days when I feel brave (or guilty), but most nights it’s just me and my water blaster.
I guess what I’m saying is: if you’re like me and find regular flossing stressful or painful, the water flosser isn’t a downgrade. It’s way better than nothing, and for me, it’s been the difference between “ugh, I’ll do it tomorrow” and actually sticking with it. Maybe my dentist would prefer I did both every night, but hey—progress over perfection, right?
Totally get where you’re coming from—string floss always left my gums looking like I’d gone a round with a cactus. My dentist said the same thing about string being better for scraping, but honestly, I just couldn’t stick with it when it hurt so much. The water flosser feels like a little spa treatment in comparison. Sure, maybe it doesn’t get every speck, but I figure daily “pretty good” beats “perfect” once a week (or, let’s be real, once in a while). Progress over perfection, for sure.
The water flosser feels like a little spa treatment in comparison. Sure, maybe it doesn’t get every speck, but I figure daily “pretty good” beats “perfect” once a week (or, let’s be real, once in a while). Progress over perfection, for sure.
Couldn’t agree more with the “progress over perfection” bit. I’ve got a graveyard of half-used floss containers because string floss always turned into a bloodbath for me. My dentist says the same thing—string is king—but honestly, if the only thing I’m motivated to do is blast my teeth with what feels like a power washer, that’s gotta count for something, right?
I still keep a pack of floss around for when I’m feeling extra ambitious (which… isn’t often), but the water flosser is just way less drama. Maybe it doesn’t scrape quite as much, but I figure not dreading my nightly routine is a win. Anyone else notice their gums are less angry after switching? Or is it just me finally not mangling them with dental string?
I used to be a diehard string floss person—mostly because my hygienist guilt-tripped me into it every six months. But I swear, no matter how gentle I tried to be, I’d end up looking like I’d just eaten a bowl of razor blades. Always that awkward moment when you spit and think, “Is this normal or am I about to pass out?” The water flosser was a total game-changer for me. It’s weirdly satisfying, almost like pressure washing your patio but for your mouth.
I get what you mean about the “spa treatment.” I actually look forward to it, which is saying something for dental hygiene. My gums used to be perpetually ticked off—red, puffy, sometimes even sore after flossing. Since switching to the water flosser, they’re way less dramatic. No more blood, no more feeling like I need to apologize to my gums every night.
That said, I do notice if I go a while without using the string (like, right before my cleaning when I panic and try to make up for lost time), there’s just more gunk that comes out. It’s kind of gross but also proves the point that string does get in there differently. But honestly, if it’s between “perfect” once in a blue moon and “pretty good” every night, I’ll take the consistency.
I still keep floss around for those popcorn kernel emergencies, but the water flosser is just so much less hassle. The only downside is occasionally blasting myself in the face when I forget to turn it off before pulling it out of my mouth. Live and learn, right? Anyone else have that happen, or am I just uniquely uncoordinated?
Anyway, my dentist keeps pushing the string, but my gums are finally chill and my breath isn’t scaring anyone away, so I’m calling it a win.
Totally relate to the water flosser face splash—happens to me way more than I’d like to admit. Honestly, I think you nailed it: string gets in there a bit differently, but if the water flosser means you’re actually doing it every night, that’s a huge win for your gums. I still use string for stubborn stuff (popcorn hulls are evil), but my gums are way less angry since making the switch. Consistency really does seem to matter most.
