Honestly, I ditched the threaders after a week—I just couldn’t get the hang of them. Water flosser’s way less annoying, but am I the only one who feels like it doesn’t get *everything*? Like, I’ll use it and still find random stuff later with a regular brush. Does anyone else double up? Or am I just being paranoid about gunk before ortho appointments...
Water flosser’s way less annoying, but am I the only one who feels like it doesn’t get *everything*?
You’re not alone there. I use a water flosser too and still feel like some bits hang around, especially after popcorn or seeds. I usually hit it with the flosser, then brush, and sometimes even go back with those little soft picks. Maybe a bit overkill, but my ortho always says my teeth are looking good. I figure whatever helps me stress less before those checkups is worth it.
I totally get what you mean about the water flosser not catching everything. I tried just using it before I got my braces, thinking it’d be enough, but honestly, stuff like popcorn skins would still get wedged in there. Ended up going for a professional cleaning right before my braces went on—felt kinda unnecessary at the time, but afterward my teeth felt way cleaner than when I did it myself. Now I just use a mix of everything: water flosser, regular floss (when I have the patience), and those little picks. It’s a hassle but worth it if you want to avoid that awkward “you missed a spot” moment at your next appointment.
Totally agree with you—no matter how fancy the gadget, nothing beats that just-cleaned-by-a-pro feeling. I was skeptical too, but after my pre-braces cleaning, it was like my teeth were on a whole new level. Water flossers are nice for daily stuff, but I still find myself reaching for regular floss when something’s stuck, especially with braces. It’s a pain juggling all those tools but honestly, I’d rather deal with that than have my ortho point out gunk I missed... Been there, not fun.
I hear you about the pro cleanings—there’s just something about that smooth feeling you can’t get at home, no matter how many gadgets you try. I’ve been through braces twice (don’t ask), and honestly, regular floss always did a better job for me than any fancy tool. Ever notice how much stuff gets trapped around those brackets? I used to think water flossers would fix it all, but nope. Did your gums ever get sore from all the extra cleaning? I always wondered if I was overdoing it or just not doing enough...
