Cleaning Teeth Professionally vs. DIY Before Braces - Which Did You Choose?

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...

That feeling after a pro cleaning is just unreal - like, I always run my tongue over my teeth for days after because they’re so smooth. Totally get what you mean about gadgets not quite measuring up. I tried every at-home tool I could get my hands on when I had braces (still have a drawer full of random brushes and picks), but regular floss was the only thing that really worked for me too. Water flossers felt nice, but I’d still find stuff stuck around the brackets, especially after popcorn or anything sticky.

My gums definitely got sore sometimes, especially if I got a little too enthusiastic with the flossing. It’s hard to know if you’re being thorough or just going overboard. My ortho said a little soreness is normal, but if you’re bleeding a lot or it hurts for days, it might be too much. I started using one of those super soft “sulcus” brushes around my gumline, and that seemed to help without making things worse.

Honestly, nothing beats that fresh-from-the-dentist clean, but I guess it’s all about finding what works for your mouth. Braces are just a whole different ballgame...

“I tried every at-home tool I could get my hands on when I had braces (still have a drawer full of random brushes and picks), but regular floss was the only thing that really worked for me too.”

Same here - my bathroom looks like a tech graveyard for dental gadgets. I went down the rabbit hole with water flossers, sonic brushes, even those tiny interdental brushes. Water flosser felt cool (literally), but honestly, it just blasted stuff around without actually getting it *all* out from under the wires. The pro clean is next-level, though. I swear they must have some secret ultrasonic thing we can’t buy. DIY is fine for maintenance, but nothing beats that dentist polish.

We went through this with my kid last year - honestly, I thought the water flosser would be a game changer, but it mostly just made a mess and didn’t get everything out. What actually helped was a pro cleaning right before the braces went on. The hygienist got into all the spots we’d been missing, which made me feel way better about starting off with a clean slate. Now we just do our best at home (threader floss is our go-to), but nothing at home really compares to that dentist polish, I agree.

That’s interesting about the water flosser - I had the same hope, but honestly, my bathroom ended up soaked and I still found stuff stuck between teeth. We did a pro cleaning too, right before my daughter’s braces went on, and it felt like such a relief starting with everything spotless. I’m curious, how often do you go for cleanings now that the braces are on? I’m torn between sticking to every six months or maybe bumping it up more often since it’s so much harder to keep things clean at home...

I totally get what you mean about the water flosser - mine turned into a bit of a bathroom disaster too. When my grandkids had braces, their dentist suggested cleanings every three or four months instead of just twice a year. At first, I thought it was overkill, but honestly, it made a difference. There’s just so much that gets stuck with all that hardware. It’s a bit of a hassle, but I always felt better knowing we were staying ahead of any problems.

At first, I thought it was overkill, but honestly, it made a difference.

I used to be skeptical about frequent cleanings too. When my daughter got braces, her ortho pushed for the same thing - every three months. I thought, really? But after seeing how much stuff gets trapped around brackets, I changed my mind. DIY is great for daily care, but those pro cleanings catch things you just can’t see. It’s a bit of a time commitment, but less stressful than dealing with a cavity or decalcification later.

I’m right there with you - it felt like such a hassle at first. I kept worrying about the cost and time, and honestly, sitting in that chair gets my nerves going every single time. But after my first cleaning post-braces, I was shocked by what they found. I brush and floss religiously but still missed stuff. The anxiety of cavities or white spots later just isn’t worth skipping it for me. It’s not fun, but it’s a relief knowing I’m not leaving anything to chance.

I totally get what you mean about the nerves and the cost. I actually debated skipping the professional cleaning before my braces, thinking, “Hey, I’m pretty meticulous with my brushing and flossing - how bad could it be?” But after reading a bunch of horror stories about stains and white spots, I caved and booked the appointment. Turns out, even with my best efforts, there was stuff hiding in places I couldn’t reach... and I’m not talking about just a little bit.

Honestly, the worst part was sitting there trying not to overthink every sound those tools made. But in the end, it felt kind of satisfying knowing I’d done everything possible to start with a clean slate. The bill stung a bit, though. Still, as much as I hate shelling out for dental stuff, I’d rather pay now than deal with fixing something bigger later. Not saying it’s fun, but for me, it beat the anxiety of wondering if I missed something important.

I get the logic, but honestly, I still wonder if the professional cleaning is always worth it. I mean, my last cleaning cost almost as much as a month’s groceries. Did your dentist actually insist on it before braces, or was it just “recommended”? Sometimes I feel like they push extra stuff just in case...