I’ve got braces right now and honestly, string flossing is a pain—takes forever and I always feel like I’m gonna snap the wire or something. My orthodontist suggested a Waterpik, and it’s been a game changer for getting around the brackets. But yeah, when I finally drag out the string floss, my teeth do feel cleaner. I kinda alternate between the two, depending on how tired I am at night. Haven’t gotten scolded at my last few checkups, so maybe the combo works?
I’m always worried I’ll mess up my wires with regular floss, too. Every time I try to thread it through, I feel like I’m playing Operation and if I slip, something’s gonna snap. I have a Waterpik but sometimes I wonder if it’s really doing enough... I mean, it feels satisfying for sure, but then I’ll use string floss and suddenly there’s stuff coming out that the water didn’t get? Is that just me?
I keep hearing you’re supposed to use both, but honestly, some nights I just can’t deal. My orthodontist said the Waterpik is good for getting rid of food bits but not a total replacement for flossing. But then again, my checkups have been okay, too, so maybe it’s not the end of the world if I skip a night here and there? I always get anxious before appointments thinking they’ll find something awful, but so far, so good.
Does anyone else get paranoid about missing spots? Or am I just overthinking this whole thing...
Threading floss around braces really does feel like defusing a bomb—one wrong move and you’re convinced the whole thing will explode. Waterpiks are great for blasting out food (and making a mess of your mirror), but yeah, string floss just hits different when it comes to scraping off that clingy gunk. Honestly, if your checkups are solid, you’re probably doing better than you think. Skipping a night here or there isn’t the end of the world. The paranoia about missing spots? Super common... I still get it sometimes and I look into mouths for a living.
My kiddo just got braces this year, and I swear, flossing is like a nightly puzzle. Waterpik helps him not freak out, but I still make him use string floss a few times a week. Has anyone noticed if their kids’ gums look healthier with one over the other?
Braces can make the whole flossing thing feel like a mini obstacle course, right? Honestly, I’ve seen a lot of kids do really well with water flossers—especially if string floss just leads to frustration or tears. But I still think there’s something about string that gets into those tight spots a water jet sometimes misses. You’re doing a great job mixing it up. If his gums aren’t puffy or bleeding, that’s usually a good sign you’re on the right track. It’s tough, but it does get easier over time.