metal mouth maintenance: what's your cleaning style?

same goes for adults!

I see your point about practicality, but I'm still not totally sold on water flossers. My dentist keeps pushing traditional floss, saying water flossers don't quite get between tight teeth as effectively... anyone else heard similar advice? Curious if it's just my dentist being old-school.

I've definitely heard similar advice from my dentist too, so you're not alone there. I tend to be cautious about these things myself—I mean, teeth aren't exactly forgiving if we mess up, right? My dentist explained that water flossers are great for getting rid of surface debris and massaging gums (especially helpful if your gums are sensitive or irritated), but traditional floss is still the gold standard for actually scraping away plaque between tight spaces.

Personally, I use both... probably overkill, but it helps ease my anxiety about missing something important. Maybe you could try using the water flosser as a supplement rather than a replacement? That way you get the best of both worlds without feeling like you're taking a risk. Just a thought, since I totally get where you're coming from—it's hard to know what's just outdated advice and what's genuinely important.

Does anyone else find traditional flossing kinda frustrating though? I get that it's the gold standard, but man, reaching those back teeth can be a total circus act... Does the water flosser really help with that or nah?

Water flossers can be a lifesaver for those tricky back teeth, especially if traditional floss feels like gymnastics. They might not replace regular floss entirely, but they're definitely helpful. Curious though, have you tried floss picks or interdental brushes for those hard-to-reach spots?

Water flossers definitely help, especially with braces or tight spaces. Have you found interdental brushes effective? I've tried floss picks, but sometimes they feel awkward around my back molars... maybe it's just me though.