We had a similar saga in our house. My son would flat-out refuse to floss with the thin, stringy stuff—he said it felt like cheese wire. Switched him to those wider, softer tapes and suddenly he didn’t complain (as much). I’ve also noticed that some toothpastes just irritate his gums more than others... especially the whitening ones. It’s kind of wild how much these little changes matter. For us, it was pretty much a trial-and-error process too—sometimes you just have to experiment until you hit the right combo.
That “cheese wire” description made me laugh—totally get what your son means. I’ve seen so many folks struggle with the classic floss, and honestly, those soft tapes or even the pre-threaded picks can be game changers for sensitive gums. Whitening toothpastes are a sneaky culprit too; the extra abrasives in them can really set off irritation, especially if your gums are already feeling cranky. Sometimes it’s just about finding what feels least annoying, even if it takes a few tries.
I totally get where you’re coming from. My gums have definitely gotten more sensitive since I started braces, and it’s wild how much little changes—like switching floss or toothpaste—can make a difference. Have you noticed if certain foods set yours off more than others? For me, anything citrusy seems to make things worse. I switched to a softer toothbrush and that helped a bit, but honestly, it’s still a work in progress. It’s kind of comforting knowing I’m not alone in this… anyone else feel like their mouth is just more high-maintenance these days?
Yeah, braces made my gums super touchy too—felt like every snack was a gamble. Spicy chips? Instant regret. I tried switching to one of those water flossers, and it’s less murder-y than regular floss. But yeah, my mouth is definitely more high-maintenance now... never thought I’d have to plan meals around my teeth.
Water flossers are a game changer, but I’m still not sure if they actually clean as well as regular floss. Have you noticed less gum bleeding since you switched? I keep getting mixed advice from my dentist—one says stick with string, another swears by water jets. Also, do spicy foods make your gums sore for days or is it just a quick sting? I’m starting to wonder if I need to cut them out completely or just deal with it…
