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...
