Honestly, do you floss?

[shekhinak]

I might be a little on the obsessive side, but I use the waterpik, I brush 4 or 5 times a day, and I do floss. My dentist has told me that I'm a "poster child" for keeping braces clean... I THINK that's a good thing, but I'm not sure...

I basically set aside 20-30 minutes every night, immediately after dinner, to do my routine. Lately, I've been using the Superfloss, which essentially has a plastic "needle" on the end. I used to use floss threaders, and I just tied the floss to them so the floss wouldn't come out. At least with that approach, you can use whatever type of floss you want - and I used a flat waxed floss, which resisted getting shredded.

That said, I'm SO looking forward to being able to just floss like a normal human being again. Hopefully, that'll be in about another 6 months

[AM21]

I don't floss every day but I try to floss at least 2 to 3 times a week. I do use my waterpik every single day and I mouth wash as well and brush about 4-6 times a day.

When I do floss, I use threader floss which is stiff on one end and it makes it easy to thread under your wires.

[BraceFace2o1o]

I floss every night before bed. Sometimes I skip a night through being lazy but that's only every now and then. I realise how important flossing is so wouldn't be able to not floss braces or no braces.

[SueAsh5]

EVERY night since getting braced! In sickness and health, at home and international travels. Nothing stops me. Oh the junk that comes out between my teeth..... My ortho, hygienists and dentist all rave about my spotless cleaning. I can´t afford to have any dental problems during this process and am now a true believer in flossing. It is such a simple and now quick part of my nightly routine that I don´t even consider NOT flossing anymore!

[cavomington]

Is there such a thing as "over flossing"? I felt like I was rubbing my gums raw when I was doing it multiple times a day. I cut my flossing down from after every meal, to once a day, to once every 2-3 days, simply because I wasn't seeing any plaque on the line at all. Even at 3 days, I don't see anything, but I simply do it to keep myself in habit and to make sure the Pik is still doing its job. The Waterpik Ultra just seems so effective, I usually have a glass of water with every meal and I do a light swish after every few bites, but if I'm at home, I also immediately use a full tank on 10 with the Ultra Pik and it leaves nothing in my mouth. The staff said that my hygiene was fantastic at my 8 week adjustment.

[BraceFace2o1o]

I don't think anyone should replace flossing with a waterpik, use both if you like but don't not floss. Flossing cleans below the gum line which brushing alone wont do. Flossing is extremely important for the health of our gums, I've talked about it a lot on this forum and people are probably sick of it but honestly flossing is so important for our teeth and gums. I am sure no one wants gingivitis because if that isn't sorted it can lead to periodontal disease (gum disease) which can lead to receding gums and bone loss.

[fosterp]

I was actually advised by my hygienist before I got braces and I had a few 5+ pockets to buy the waterpik because it is better at cleaning those deep pockets than floss.

[NICURN85]

I brush after every meal and floss at least 1-2 times a day. I also use my WaterPik once a day for a good cleaning normally before bed. Then, I also use a fluoride mouth wash twice a day also. I love the feel of a clean mouth.

[illay]

i don't floss, i only use interdental brush. Doesn't floss can make gap? i only use floss for my black triangle in the front teeth

[Cassandra]

I alternate daily with floss (with a floss threader) and waterpik. I find my gums get sore if I floss every day.

[bcatron]

I try to! but I honestly can say that I dont do it every day...I do it more like 1x a week or so.

[vegathestar]

Oh man, I guess I should be stay vigilant with my oral hygiene. I should really start flossing and use waterpik like you guys do.

just one thing, where do I get a good waterpik if i'm staying in Asia? damn we don't have walmart here!

[braceseire]

I started flossing properly when I got my braces and would usually do it twice a day and it became such a routine that I still do it to this day!!!

[furious george]

I use those tooth picks with the brushes on the end...the flat plastic ones that actually reach into the gumline. I use them at least twice a day.

[salsashark]

I used to floss every day before braces but now find it difficult to do. I really should get back into the habit! I'm going to look for those braces-specific flossers as I know I'll use them.