Which one actually gets your teeth cleaner: blasting with water or good ol’ string floss?

I totally get the frustration, but I have to admit, I’m still a little wary of those interdental brushes. My dentist actually warned me about overdoing it and possibly hurting my gums if I’m not careful - especially with shaky hands. Sometimes I wonder if string floss, even though it’s tedious, is just safer for bridges? But then again, nothing feels as satisfying as blasting everything out with the Waterpik... It’s like a weird trade-off every night.

I hear you on the shaky hands - mine aren’t what they used to be either. I tried those little brushes for a while, but honestly, I ended up poking my gums more times than I care to admit. Flossing is a pain with my bridge, but I’ve sort of settled into a routine with those threader things. The Waterpik feels amazing, though. There’s just something about seeing all the stuff wash away... but my hygienist still nags me to keep up with the floss. Guess it’s one of those “do what works for you” things, even if it’s not perfect.

Honestly, I’m still not convinced the Waterpik is a full-on substitute for string floss, even if it feels like blasting a firehose between your teeth. I mean, it’s super satisfying to see all the bits and pieces swirl down the drain, but does that really mean it’s getting everything out? I’ve read (okay, maybe skimmed) a couple studies saying string floss is still king for getting the gunk wedged between teeth, especially with bridges or tight spots.

But then again, my last attempt at using floss around my retainer wire just ended with me cursing and dropping the whole thing in the sink. The Waterpik is way less drama, and it doesn’t leave my gums looking like they went ten rounds with a cheese grater. Still, my dentist gives me that “I know you’re not really flossing” look every time. Maybe it’s just a mix of both? Or is that overkill? I dunno, maybe I’m just looking for an excuse to justify my gadget addiction...

I totally get where you’re coming from. I used to be a die-hard string floss person, but after getting braces, it just wasn’t happening anymore - way too much hassle and my gums hated me for it. The Waterpik feels like it’s doing something, but I still wonder if it’s actually grabbing the sticky stuff between my teeth. My hygienist once said using both isn’t overkill, especially if you’ve got wires or tight spaces. I usually end up doing the Waterpik most days and then string floss when I have time (or when I remember). Not perfect, but my gums are happier and I’m not dreading the whole ordeal as much. Maybe it’s just about finding what you’ll actually stick with?

I’m with you on the “do what you’ll actually keep doing” thing. I bought a Waterpik a couple years ago, mostly because I got tired of wrestling with floss and spending forever in the bathroom. Honestly, it was kind of a splurge for me - those things aren’t cheap. But I figured if it made me actually clean between my teeth more often, it’d be worth it in the long run.

I still think string floss probably gets more gunk out if you do it right, but I just never had the patience for it every single night. With the Waterpik, I use it way more consistently. Gums look better, less bleeding, and I don’t feel gross in the morning. My dentist said it’s better than nothing, especially if regular flossing isn’t happening.

I do wish the Waterpik was quieter and didn’t make such a mess on the counter, but that’s a trade-off I can live with. If I’m feeling motivated (or right before a cleaning), I’ll grab the floss too. But honestly, for the price, I’m glad I use the Waterpik regularly instead of buying floss that just sits in the drawer.

If you’re on a tight budget though, string floss is still way cheaper and lasts forever. Just depends on what you’ll actually use without dreading it every night. For me, convenience wins - even if it’s not perfect.

Just depends on what you’ll actually use without dreading it every night. For me, convenience wins - even if it’s not perfect.

That’s exactly where I landed after trying to get my kid to floss regularly. We did the whole “let’s make it a game” thing with string floss, but honestly, it was a battle every night and half the time he’d just fake it or skip spots. I caved and got a Waterpik last year - wasn’t cheap, but I figured if it meant less nagging and fewer dental bills down the line, maybe worth it.

Here’s how it went: first week, total mess everywhere. Water on the mirror, counter, even the cat once. But after a few tries, he actually started using it without me reminding him. His gums bled less at his next checkup, which the dentist noticed right away.

I still think string floss probably does a better job if you’re really thorough, but for us, consistency matters more. If the Waterpik makes him do *something* every night instead of nothing, I’ll take that win. And yeah, I still keep string floss around for myself when I have the patience... which isn’t often.

Honestly, this is such a relatable situation. Getting kids (or honestly, even adults) to floss consistently is like pulling teeth sometimes. I totally get the “battle every night” thing - my youngest used to hide the floss behind the toothpaste and claim she “couldn’t find it.” We finally tried a Waterpik too, and yeah, those first few days were like a waterpark in the bathroom. The dog learned to avoid that room after 7 p.m.

From what I’ve read and heard from our dentist, string floss is still the gold standard for scraping off plaque between teeth, especially if you’re really methodical about it. But that’s a big “if.” Most people (myself included) don’t do it perfectly every single time. Water flossers are great at flushing out food bits and can help with gum health - especially for folks with braces or sensitive gums - but they might not catch everything.

I’ve noticed my own gums bleed less when I use the Waterpik regularly, even if I’m not as thorough as I would be with string. And my hygienist said she can always tell when I’ve been slacking on either one - it’s like they have a sixth sense for that stuff.

I think you nailed it: whatever someone will actually use every day is better than aiming for perfection and getting nothing done. If your kid’s using the Waterpik without a fight and his checkups are improving, that’s a huge win in my book. Dental routines are so personal... sometimes you just have to pick your battles and celebrate consistency over perfection.

Also, props for still keeping string floss around for yourself. I try to do both when I remember, but some nights it’s just not happening.

“whatever someone will actually use every day is better than aiming for perfection and getting nothing done.”

That right there sums up my whole approach to dental care... and honestly, most things in life. I tried the Waterpik because, well, string floss is cheap but my motivation is even cheaper. The Waterpik was a splurge for me, but if it gets me to actually clean between my teeth, I’ll call it a win - even if it does turn my bathroom into a splash zone. I still keep string floss around for emergencies (or when I’m feeling ambitious), but nine times out of ten, convenience wins out.

I get what you mean about convenience winning out - if it’s not easy, I’ll skip it too. I’m curious if you (or anyone else here) noticed a difference in actual results? Like, less plaque at checkups or fewer complaints from your hygienist? I tried switching to a Waterpik after my gums started bleeding with string floss, but honestly, I’m never sure if it’s actually doing a better job or just feels nicer.

- String floss is still the gold standard for physically scraping plaque off between teeth - water flossers are great for rinsing, but they don’t always get that stubborn stuff.
- Hygienists have told me they can usually tell who’s using string vs just a Waterpik. Less gunk left behind with string, apparently.
- That said, if your gums bleed with string floss, technique or the type of floss might be the issue. I switched to a softer, woven kind and it made a difference.
- Waterpik feels nice and is definitely better than nothing, especially for people with braces or sensitive gums. But if you’re chasing those “no complaints” checkups, string floss (even just a few times a week) seems to make a bigger impact.
- I get lazy too - sometimes I’ll just use both and hope for the best. My dentist hasn’t yelled at me yet...

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.

But I still think there’s something about string that gets into those tight spots a water jet sometimes misses.

Totally agree with this. I’ve seen kids (and, honestly, adults too) get way more food out with string floss, especially around brackets and wires. Water flossers are awesome for rinsing out gunk you can’t reach, but if you want to really break up that stubborn plaque, string’s hard to beat. I know it’s a pain to thread it through braces, but those little floss threaders or superfloss things help a lot. My nephew hated flossing until he found a combo that worked - water flosser first, then string for the stubborn bits. Gums have looked way healthier since.

I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve seen some patients do a great job with just water flossers - especially if they’ve got dexterity issues or just won’t use string.

Water flossers are awesome for rinsing out gunk you can’t reach

- Seen both work, but in my experience, string floss still gets more plaque out from tight spots.
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“Water flossers are awesome for rinsing out gunk you can’t reach”

String floss always seemed to get stuck or shred between my teeth, so I gave up on it for a while. Tried a water flosser and yeah, it’s not perfect, but my gums bled way less and it actually made me want to keep at it. I figure doing something every day beats doing nothing or struggling with string once a week...

Tried a water flosser and yeah, it’s not perfect, but my gums bled way less and it actually made me want to keep at it. I figure doing something every day beats doing nothing or struggling with s...

Totally get where you’re coming from. I used to buy the cheap floss and it’d always shred or get stuck, which honestly just made me avoid flossing altogether. Tried a water flosser when it was on sale and yeah, maybe it doesn’t get every little bit, but like you said, “doing something every day beats doing nothing.” My gums stopped bleeding as much too. I figure as long as I’m not breaking the bank and my mouth feels cleaner, it’s a win.