I hear you on the back molars. I swear mine are plotting against me—no matter how much I water-blast, there’s always some sneaky bit of gunk hiding out. I tried just using the water flosser for a while, mostly because string floss kept shredding and getting stuck (don’t even get me started on the cost of those little rolls). But my dentist could still tell, like she’s got some kind of plaque radar.
Honestly, I’m with you—using both feels like overkill, but it actually works. I just buy the cheap floss at the dollar store now and save the fancy stuff for when I’m feeling bougie. Water flossers are great for quick cleans, but if I skip string floss for more than a few days, my gums start acting up again. Maybe it’s just genetics or weird tooth angles… who knows.
If someone invents a budget-friendly robot that’ll floss my teeth for me while I watch TV, I’ll be first in line. Until then, it’s double duty for these stubborn molars.
Water flossers are great for quick cleans, but if I skip string floss for more than a few days, my gums start acting up again.
I actually had a different experience. I was really nervous about flossing at all—my gums would bleed every time, and it honestly made me dread brushing. When I switched to just a water flosser (after my hygienist suggested it), things actually improved. Maybe it’s not perfect, but my gums don’t hurt anymore and I’m way less anxious before appointments. I do wonder if it depends on how sensitive your gums are or something...
Funny, I always thought I was just bad at flossing because my gums would bleed and sting, even though I tried to be gentle. I’d get so worked up about it that I’d sometimes skip flossing altogether. My dentist suggested a water flosser too, and honestly, it’s been such a relief. It doesn’t feel like I’m hurting myself every night, and the bleeding totally stopped after a couple weeks. Not sure if it’s as “thorough” as string, but at least I actually stick with it now.
I do wonder if it’s just that some people’s gums are more sensitive? Or maybe how we’re using the water flosser makes a difference? Like, does anyone notice if their dentist or hygienist says anything about missed spots since switching? I’m always half-worried they’ll say I’m not doing enough, but so far, no complaints...
I totally relate to the paranoia about missing spots—every time I go in for a cleaning, I brace for the “are you flossing?” interrogation. Honestly, I switched to a water flosser too because string floss felt like medieval torture for my gums. The hygienist hasn’t called me out yet, which feels like a minor miracle. Maybe it’s not perfect, but if it means I actually stick with it and my gums aren’t bleeding every night, that’s got to count for something, right?
“Honestly, I switched to a water flosser too because string floss felt like medieval torture for my gums.”
I feel you on this—string floss with braces is just... nope. My orthodontist actually recommended a water flosser since I kept shredding floss on my brackets. It’s not perfect, but my gums stopped looking like a crime scene every night. Hygienist said I’m doing “better than most,” which I’ll take as a win. If it means you’re actually cleaning between your teeth, I say it totally counts.
