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I hated the floss threaders at first too... but then I tried some of the threader floss (the individually packaged floss with the hard end) and I hated those even more. The threader floss was caked in wax that crumbled in my mouth and the floss itself was like rope and hurt. I got floss that I really love because it is silky so I had to go back to the threaders because I attempted to put the floss through without them and it was a disaster... lol I started putting the end of my floss through the threader and tying a lil knot otherwise I will lose my mind flossing because my floss kept falling out from the threader. It works and it has started taking me less and less time just to floss.
I have really good luck using Oral B Satin Floss without a floss threader. It comes out of the box curled so the slight bend in the end of the floss allows me to pop it under the wire on all my teeth except for my the very last upper molars. (I begrudgingly use the floss threader for those.)
I have said in other posts that I found Oral-B Satin Tape the easiest floss to use. Because it's coated, it's really easy to slip between tight teeth, especially when they are sore after adjustments, and it does indeed come out with a slight bend, which makes it easy to get under the wire.
When it comes to my back molars, I get the tweezers out to help insert the floss!
I couldn't get on with Superfloss - I found it hurt to pull through tight spaces, and it shreds easily.
Thanks to all for the tips on flossing. I just got my Damon's on 07.28.09 and it's very frustrating learning all of the tips/tricks. Thank goodness for this forum!
Before my brackets, I used Oral-B Ultrafloss. Love that floss! But now, when I thread, it sometimes shreds on the brackets, or it won't go between the contacts easily. Ouch!:oops:
So I am going to take the advice of sksk11 & TumbleDryLow and try the Oral B Satin Floss...stat!
BTW, I also use a Sonicare and have done so for the past 12+ years. I highly recommend the Sonicare for anybody, whether you have braces or not!
Thanks everyone for your tips/tricks! I feel better knowing I am not alone in this painstaking process!
I really like the Oral B product. I've used floss threaders as well and they're OK but not as easy to use as Oral B.
The trick is to go straight up under the arch wire and out the top (i.e. not through the tooth). Then just grab a hold of the floss with both hands and come down to the gum line as in the old days. You can then pull and back a forth just like before. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy.
take advantage of your adjustments and floss when they switch. THIS IS MY FAVORITE PART OF ADJUSTMENTS!!!!!....lol...YOU CAN GET AT EVERYTHING YOU EVER THOUGHT YOU WERE NOT...lol.
I am going to purchase the FlossFish Flossing Tool from DentaKit.com (link: http://www.dentakit.com/flfltoforbr.html ~ this is *not* an affiliate link.) I have no idea if it works or not, but I need to order some other things from them so I figured what could it hurt? They are only $3.99 for a bag of five. I will try and remember to post my experience!
I love the Crest Glide threader Floss. I've tried the Oral-B and it tends to shred a lot for me. Crest doesn't do that and it has individual packets so you can easily take it with you when you go out places.