Medium bristles are honestly way too harsh for most people, especially with braces. I’ve seen so many folks end up with irritated gums or even enamel wear from using them. Soft brushes are definitely the safer bet, and technique matters way more than pressure or brush type. Those little flossers can be a pain with brackets, though—sometimes waxed threaders slide through easier if you’re struggling. And yeah, without a timer I’d probably rush through brushing too... it’s surprisingly easy to cut corners when you think you’re being thorough.
Totally hear you on the soft brushes—my gums got way less tender once I switched. It’s wild how much difference a gentle technique makes too. Those floss threaders are a game changer with braces, even if they’re fiddly at first. You’re definitely not alone rushing sometimes... timers help me slow down too.
Timers really do make a difference—sometimes I catch myself zoning out and brushing too fast, especially before work.
I found the threaders tricky at first too, but now it’s second nature. Has anyone tried using a water flosser instead? I’m curious if it actually gets in between brackets as well as the threaders do.“Those floss threaders are a game changer with braces, even if they’re fiddly at first.”
Water flossers are super popular, but honestly, I still lean toward threaders for braces. I’ve seen a lot of folks use water flossers and they’re great for flushing out food bits, but sometimes they just don’t get the plaque between brackets as well as good old-fashioned floss. It’s a bit of a hassle at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty quick. That said, if you’re in a rush or have sensitive gums, water flossers can be a nice backup.
Totally relate to this. My kid’s ortho actually recommended threaders too, but they’re so fiddly—sometimes it feels like it takes forever. Do you ever worry about missing spots with the water flosser? I’m always anxious about plaque hiding behind those brackets...
