String floss is the MVP for me, no contest. I’ve got a mouthful of brackets and wires (thanks, orthodontics), so I’ve basically tried every gadget out there just to keep things halfway clean. Water flossers are fun—kind of like a tiny power washer for your gums—but honestly, I always feel like I’m just blasting leftovers around, not really getting them out. Like, my sink looks gross after, but then I go in with string floss and... yikes, there’s still stuff hiding in there. Especially between the molars.
I get why people love water flossers, especially if their gums are super sensitive or they can’t stand the idea of string cutting into their fingers. But when it comes to that sticky plaque that likes to camp out between the teeth? String just seems to scrape it off better. I had this one stubborn spot behind my lower canine—water flosser would hit it, but only string would actually drag out the gunk. It’s kind of grossly satisfying.
That said, water flossers are a lifesaver for getting under wires and around brackets where string just can’t reach. Sometimes I use both: blast first, then go in with string for the tight spots. My ortho says as long as I’m doing something, it’s better than nothing... but I don’t trust water alone to do the whole job.
One weird thing: I noticed if I skip string flossing for a couple days (don’t judge), my teeth just feel grimier, even if I’m still using the water flosser. Maybe it’s all in my head, but there’s something about that squeaky clean feeling you only get from string.
Anyway, maybe it depends on your teeth or how much you hate flossing in general. For me, string is still king—just wish it was less annoying with all this hardware in my mouth.
That “squeaky clean” feeling from string floss is hard to beat, I agree. There’s some solid research showing string physically disrupts and removes biofilm more effectively between tight contacts, especially with stubborn plaque. Water flossers are great for flushing out loose debris and getting under wires, but they’re not as good at scraping off the sticky stuff. Honestly, I tell people to use both if they can—water for access and speed, string for precision cleaning. It’s a hassle with braces, but you’re right: nothing matches that clean you get with string in those tight spots.
I get what you mean about the “squeaky clean” feeling—there’s something oddly satisfying about it, even if it’s a pain to actually do. I’ve tried both string and water flossers, and honestly, I always end up going back to string for the tough spots. Like you said,
For me, it’s especially true around my lower front teeth where things are super crowded.“nothing matches that clean you get with string in those tight spots.”
That said, I’m curious about how much of a difference technique makes versus the tool itself. I’ve seen people just kind of snap the string between their teeth and call it a day, which probably isn’t doing much for biofilm or plaque. Meanwhile, I know folks who use water flossers with a lot of precision and seem to get pretty good results—maybe not as much scraping action, but still pretty effective overall. I wonder if there’s research comparing not just the tools but also how people actually use them in real life (not just under perfect conditions in a study).
Also, has anyone noticed differences in gum health when switching between the two? I switched to a water flosser for a while when my gums were super sensitive, and it was way less painful than string. But after a couple months, I felt like my teeth weren’t *quite* as clean, especially near my molars. Maybe that’s just me being picky.
Does anyone here use those little interdental brushes too? I’ve heard they’re better than both floss types for certain gaps or bridges, but honestly, they never fit between my teeth without bending out of shape. Always wondered if that’s normal or if I’m using the wrong size.
Anyway, just throwing it out there—how much do you think personal technique matters compared to the actual tool?
- Technique honestly matters a ton—like you said,
Proper string flossing (hugging the tooth, moving up and down) removes more gunk than just snapping.“I’ve seen people just kind of snap the string between their teeth and call it a day, which probably isn’t doing much for biofilm or plaque.”
- Water flossers are great for sensitive gums or braces. They’re not bad, but they don’t physically scrape off as much plaque unless you’re really thorough.
- Interdental brushes work well if you’ve got wider gaps or bridges, but yeah, if they bend or don’t fit, you probably need a different size—don’t force it.
- Studies show both tools help gum health, but technique is the game changer. If you’re using either one carefully and consistently, you’re ahead of most people.
- Personally, I switch between all three depending on how my teeth feel that week... kind of a mix-and-match approach.
You’ve nailed it—technique really does make all the difference. I see a lot of folks who think just running the string between their teeth is enough, but it’s that gentle curve and up-and-down motion that actually gets the job done. Water flossers are awesome for people who hate string or have sensitive spots, but you’re right, they don’t always get every bit of plaque unless you’re super thorough. Honestly, mixing it up based on what your mouth needs that week is a solid approach. Consistency matters more than perfection. Keep at it—your gums will thank you.
