How picky are you about cleaning around your braces or aligners?

I get what you mean about feeling self-conscious - using those little brushes in public always made me feel awkward, but honestly, my dentist said it’s way better than skipping it. I’ve tried both waxed and unwaxed flossers, but sometimes I wonder if they actually clean as well as regular string floss. Has anyone else noticed a difference in gum health depending on which one you use? I’m still figuring out what works best, especially with aligners. The cleaning routine can feel endless some days...

Totally hear you on the cleaning routine feeling never-ending - aligners just add a whole new level. I’ve bounced between waxed flossers and regular string, and for me, the string feels like it gets in there a bit better, especially for those stubborn spots. But honestly, using anything is better than skipping, like your dentist said. I used to feel awkward with the little brushes too, but after a while it’s just part of the process... weirdly kind of satisfying when you see what comes out. Hang in there - it does get easier over time.

Not sure I totally agree on the “string gets in there better” thing. I get what you’re saying - classic floss does feel like it’s scraping more gunk out sometimes, but for me, half the time it just shreds or gets stuck on my brackets. Total pain. Those waxed picks are way easier to handle, especially when you’re out and about. Quick swipe, done.

“using anything is better than skipping, like your dentist said.”

Yeah, this part is 100%. If I’m being real, there are nights where I just can’t be bothered to do the whole routine. But honestly, those little brushes (interdental ones) have saved me. At first I hated them - felt like I was poking around forever - but now it’s almost like a weird habit. Still, not sure I’d call it satisfying... more like “ugh, glad that’s over.”

I also notice water flossers don’t get much love here. Maybe not everyone wants to deal with the mess, but for stubborn spots, nothing beats blasting stuff out with one of those. Got one as a gift and thought it was a gimmick at first, but now I use it every night. Makes the whole process less annoying.

Anyway, just wanted to throw in that sometimes the “old school” string isn’t always best for everyone. If it works for you, cool, but don’t feel bad if you switch it up or skip a step here and there. The main thing is not letting stuff build up - learned that the hard way after a few cavities during my first year with braces...

- String floss was a nightmare with my braces - always fraying or getting jammed.
- Switched to those little picks and never looked back, way less hassle.
- Water flosser is my MVP now, especially after popcorn or seeds... nothing else gets it all out.
- I’m picky, but honestly, if I’m wiped out, sometimes I just do a quick pass and call it good.
- Agree, consistency matters more than the tool - learned that after a surprise cavity too.

- Those string floss days... I swear I spent more time untangling than actually cleaning.
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Water flosser is my MVP now, especially after popcorn or seeds...

I used to be super picky with cleaning when I first got my aligners, but honestly, some nights it’s just not happening. I’ll do a quick brush and tell myself I’ll make up for it in the morning. Water flossers are cool, but I always end up spraying half the bathroom... Still, way less hassle than string floss. For me, it’s more about not letting a bad day turn into a bad week. Even if it’s not perfect every time, I figure something is better than nothing.

Totally get where you’re coming from. Some nights I’m just too tired to do the whole routine, so a quick brush is all I manage. Haven’t tried a water flosser yet, but string floss is the worst. As long as you’re not skipping days, I think you’re good.

I totally relate to those nights where you just can’t muster the energy for the whole routine. But I gotta say, after getting braces, I realized skipping the in-between cleaning - even if it’s just a day or two - made a big difference for me. I started noticing my gums getting puffy and honestly, food gets trapped so easily with all that hardware. I used to dread string floss too, but once I switched to a water flosser, it actually felt kind of satisfying? Like, you can literally see stuff coming out. I know it sounds a bit gross, but it’s true.

Do you ever worry about stains or white spots? That’s what pushed me to get pickier, especially after my orthodontist showed me photos of what can happen. I’m curious if anyone else here has found a trick that makes the routine less of a chore. For me, putting on a podcast while I clean helps the time go by faster.

I used to dread string floss too, but once I switched to a water flosser, it actually felt kind of satisfying? Like, you can literally see stuff coming out.

Totally agree about the water flosser - makes things so much easier. I was skeptical until I tried one and now I can’t imagine going back. The white spots thing freaks me out a bit too, especially after seeing those photos at the ortho’s office. Ever tried those little proxy brushes? They’re not as quick as a water flosser but sometimes they get stuff the jet misses. Podcasts are a solid hack for making it less boring, though.

I hear you on the water flosser - honestly, it’s a total game changer. I was always annoyed with regular floss, mostly because it kept shredding on my brackets. The water flosser actually feels like it’s doing something, and seeing all that gunk come out is weirdly satisfying.

White spots are my nightmare too. My ortho showed me those before-and-after photos of decalcification and now I’m super paranoid. I use those little proxy brushes if I feel like something is stuck, but yeah, they take way more time. Sometimes I wonder if I’m overdoing it, but I’d rather spend an extra couple minutes than risk permanent marks.

Podcasts are my go-to as well - makes the whole process way less tedious. Kind of wild how much tech can make something as boring as oral hygiene a bit more bearable. If you find any other gadgets that help, let me know... always down to try something new for the sake of clean teeth.

Honestly, I’m right there with you on the paranoia about white spots. My kid’s ortho showed us those same before-and-after photos and it was enough to freak both of us out for a while. I try to make sure she’s cleaning really thoroughly, but sometimes I wonder if I’m being too strict about it. She complains that it takes forever - especially with those tiny brushes - but I’d rather deal with a few extra minutes every night than risk permanent marks on her teeth. Still, there are nights when we both just want to skip the whole routine.

We switched to a water flosser last year after going through what felt like miles of shredded floss. It’s made a huge difference, especially when she had the elastics on - those things are magnets for food. The only downside is the mess... we’ve had more than one accidental spray across the bathroom mirror. But seeing all the stuff come out definitely makes it feel worth it.

Have you tried any of those disclosing tablets? The ones that dye any leftover plaque bright pink or purple? We use them once in a while to check if she’s missing spots. It’s kind of a pain, but she actually thinks it’s fun (at least for now). Makes it easier to show her where to brush better without sounding like a broken record.

I’m curious - do you let yourself or your kid ever take a shortcut on busy nights? Or is it always the full routine? I keep telling myself occasional shortcuts won’t ruin everything, but then I remember those scary photos...

Those white spot photos haunt me, too. My ortho busted them out during my first consult and I swear, I practically started brushing in the waiting room. I’m a grown adult and I still feel like a kid about it - sometimes I’ll catch myself obsessing over every little spot in the mirror, just in case.

I totally get your kid’s complaints about the tiny brushes. They’re such a pain, but honestly, I’d rather deal with that than risk those marks. The water flosser is a game changer, though...even if it turns my sink into a splash zone half the time. Once I forgot to turn it off before pulling it out of my mouth and shot myself right in the eye. Not my finest moment.

As for shortcuts - I’d be lying if I said I never took any. There are nights when I’m dead tired and just do a quick brush and call it good. But if I skip the full routine too many times in a row, guilt creeps in and those before-and-after pics pop into my head again. It’s all about balance, I guess.

The water flosser is a game changer, though...even if it turns my sink into a splash zone half the time.

Right? I bought a budget one and it’s basically a pressure washer for my face. I keep wondering if the pricier models are less messy or if it’s just part of the deal. Has anyone actually found a cheap tool that works and isn’t a disaster? I feel like I’m always weighing “do I want clean teeth or a dry shirt?”

I hear you on the splash zone...I’ve tried a few “affordable” models and, honestly, they all have me mopping up after. Even the fancy ones will soak your shirt if you get distracted. I once aimed it the wrong way and got water up my nose - don’t recommend. Maybe mess just comes with the territory?

Even the fancy ones will soak your shirt if you get distracted.

That’s definitely been my experience, too. I’ve tried to optimize my technique but sometimes the water just wins. Honestly, I think a bit of splash is inevitable unless you’re hyper-focused every single time. The clean feeling afterward still makes it worth it for me, though.

Yeah, I’ve basically accepted that my shirt’s getting wet at least half the time. I tried using a towel as a shield but then just ended up with a soggy towel too... Not sure if it’s my technique or just physics being rude. Still, nothing beats that super-clean feeling, even if I have to change shirts after.

Does anyone else worry about whether their kid is actually getting everything clean with braces? I feel like I’m constantly hovering, making sure they brush long enough and use all the little tools. But then it turns into a whole production - water everywhere, toothpaste on the mirror, sometimes tears if we’re running late. Is this just our routine, or do other parents have to basically supervise every cleaning session too?

I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think a little independence goes a long way - even with braces. I had braces as a teen and my parents hovered at first, but eventually they backed off and let me figure it out (with some reminders, sure). I made mistakes, missed a few spots, but after getting a not-so-great report from the orthodontist once or twice, I started taking it more seriously. Sometimes the only way kids really learn is by being responsible for their own teeth - even if it means dealing with the consequences here and there.

Hovering every single time just made things stressful for everyone in our house. I’d say pick your battles. Maybe supervise once a day or do random checks instead of turning every brushing session into an ordeal. It’s messy and imperfect, but that’s kind of how kids learn anything new. And honestly, orthodontists can usually spot if things are going off track before it gets too bad.

Honestly, I’m with you on the “pick your battles” thing. Hovering over every brush session just turns it into a power struggle, and nobody wins there. When I had braces, my mom tried to micromanage at first, but after a while she just let me do my thing (with the occasional “did you floss?” thrown in). I definitely learned more from getting called out by the orthodontist than from her nagging. Sometimes you gotta let kids mess up a little to get the point. Teeth survive a few missed spots, promise.