string floss can be a pain with those edges. But honestly, I’m not totally convinced it gets everything out.
I’m with you—water flossers feel so much easier, especially around crowns and bridges, but I still end up using regular floss a few times a week. My hygienist always says the string gets that stubborn plaque the water misses, even if the water flosser feels more “fresh.” For me, it’s kind of a combo or nothing. My teeth just seem happier that way.
String floss and I have a love-hate relationship. The hate part kicks in when I’m trying to wrangle it around my back molars, and it feels like I’m prepping for an Olympic event. But I swear, nothing gets that weird popcorn husk out like the old-school string. Water flossers are great for the “I want to feel super fresh in 30 seconds” vibe, but sometimes I wonder if they’re just power-washing the surface and leaving the real gunk behind.
I had this phase where I got lazy (read: busy and tired) and only used my water flosser for a few months. My teeth felt clean, sure, but then my hygienist gave me that look during my cleaning—you know, the one where she’s scraping away and goes quiet? Yeah, not a good sign. She pointed out some sneaky tartar building up between my bottom teeth. Apparently, the water flosser missed it, even though it felt like a mini car wash in there.
Now I do both. It’s not glamorous, but alternating keeps my mouth from feeling like a science experiment gone wrong. Maybe it’s overkill, but after dealing with two crowns and one bridge (don’t get me started on that bill), I’m not taking chances. Honestly, if someone invents a self-cleaning mouthguard that does all this while I sleep, sign me up.
Anyway, string floss is annoying—especially with dental work—but it’s saved me from extra trips to the chair. Water flossers are amazing for getting around those awkward edges. For me, it’s kind of like shampoo and conditioner: one without the other just doesn’t cut it.
“But I swear, nothing gets that weird popcorn husk out like the old-school string.”
This is so real. I swear popcorn is out here just to test my patience (and my flossing technique). I totally get what you mean about the water flosser feeling like a car wash but still leaving behind that sneaky tartar. I went through a phase where I was convinced my Waterpik was doing all the heavy lifting—felt like I was living my best high-tech dental life. Then I had a cleaning and my dentist found a “mystery zone” between my molars that apparently only string could reach. Cue the guilt trip.
I also have a bridge and a crown, and string floss feels like trying to thread a needle in a moving car. But the water flosser doesn’t always cut it, especially with food that’s really wedged in there. I’m with you: it’s not glamorous, but doing both is the only way my teeth don’t feel like a science experiment gone sideways. If someone invents that self-cleaning mouthguard, I’ll be first in line—until then, I guess it’s double duty and awkward floss faces in the mirror.
I’m right there with you on the “mystery zone” thing—I swear, my dentist has a sixth sense for finding those places I can never get clean, no matter how much I try. I get so anxious before every checkup because it feels like I’m about to be graded on my flossing technique or something. And with crowns and bridges in the mix, it’s like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.
Here’s what I’ve found helps, but honestly, it’s a bit of a process (and yes, sometimes I skip steps out of sheer frustration). First, I use the water flosser to blast away whatever’s loose, especially if I’ve had anything like popcorn or steak. It definitely feels satisfying—like power washing a patio—but then I’ll run string floss through and still find stuff hiding out. Drives me nuts.
The trickiest part for me is threading under my bridge. Those little threader things help, but they’re fiddly and if my hands are shaky (which they usually are because I’m nervous about poking my gums), it takes ages. Sometimes I just stand there staring at myself in the mirror thinking, “Is this really worth it?” But then if I don’t do both, my teeth feel weirdly grimy and then my anxiety goes into overdrive.
I have heard some people say their hygienist told them water flossers alone are fine, but mine was pretty blunt: string gets what water can’t. She even showed me all the spots where stuff was lurking that the Waterpik missed. Not gonna lie, that freaked me out a bit.
If anyone ever does come up with an easier way—like that self-cleaning mouthguard idea—I’d pay actual money for it. Until then, it’s awkward faces in the mirror and hoping for a gold star at my next cleaning. At least we’re not alone in this...
The trickiest part for me is threading under my bridge. Those little threader things help, but they’re fiddly and if my hands are shaky (which they usually are because I’m nervous about poking my gums), it takes ages.
This is so relatable. I have a bridge on my upper left side and honestly, those threaders feel like they were designed by someone who never had to use them. Half the time I drop them in the sink or poke myself and then get even more frustrated. I do love my Waterpik for the “power washing a patio” feeling, but my hygienist said the same thing as yours—water alone just doesn’t quite cut it. She even pulled out this purple disclosing gel one time and showed me all the spots I missed. It was humbling.
I’ve started using these super slim interdental brushes in addition to the string and water, and it’s helped a bit, but honestly, it’s still a process. Some nights I just stare at my dental drawer and sigh. If someone invents that magic self-cleaning mouthguard, I’m with you—take my money. Until then, awkward mirror faces are my nightly routine too.
