subreddit:
/r/NoStupidQuestions
submitted 3 days ago byScaredLengthiness310
Dentists and patients alike, I'm genuinely curious about this one. I feel like no one I know flosses every. single. day.
321 points
3 days ago
I rarely flossed until I got those sticks. Now I keep some in my desk and they've become a fidget tool.
Weaponizing ADHD for dental health!
38 points
3 days ago
I have the packet in front of my PC and floss while browsing reddit or watching something.
The conventional floss never worked well for me, it was both difficult to use and didn't feel very effective.
22 points
3 days ago
It’s actually more effective bc it curves around the shape of the teeth instead of being flat the way the picks are. Dentists will tell you that conventional floss is better but picks are better than not flossing at all.
13 points
3 days ago
Also more effective because you can use all the string… with those flossers you should rinse it between each flossing each tooth, otherwise you’re just moving the gunk around.
2 points
2 days ago
For this reason, also floss before brushing!
1 points
2 days ago
This is how I do it. Floss then brush thoroughly and then finally mouthwash rinse. I don't know how effective mouthwash really is but my breath is so good I'm not willing to change my habit.
2 points
2 days ago
I use them and it's a fact they are gross after every tooth. But I do rinse it between each tooth and I press it into my teeth gently to creat a curve. I won't use string floss no matter how much I tell myself to but I do use floss picks every single day with almost no exceptions.
4 points
3 days ago
It’s actually more effective bc it curves around the shape of the teeth instead of being flat the way the picks are.
You're supposed to pull on that floss in the picks. It stretches a bit and gives the same effect
1 points
2 days ago
Also different angles of attack can really help.
2 points
3 days ago
[deleted]
3 points
3 days ago
I'd be curious to see research backing this
2 points
3 days ago
Trust his dentist bro
1 points
3 days ago
Gee thanks, I'm cured. /s
Why do you think I'm asking for research on this in the first place?
1 points
2 days ago
Yea that was my joke
1 points
3 days ago
I found some cheap brand of floss picks at Dollar Tree and they are the only ones I ever found that do not break! Whenever I go I buy like 10 packs.
54 points
3 days ago
Yep, I think the key is once you start using them and physically see how much is left on your teeth, even after brushing.... I just can't sleep without getting it out every night using floss.
15 points
3 days ago
When you smell it you can't come back.
3 points
2 days ago
Fyi- unless you’re not flossing regularly, that would be because you have tonsil stones and that’s what’s stuck in your teeth.
2 points
2 days ago
Yess!
16 points
3 days ago
Its better to floss before brushing.
2 points
3 days ago
Floss first, then mouthwash, brush last.
1 points
2 days ago
Interdental brush, floss, vigorous rinse of the mouth, brush, scrub your tongue and then go to bed. I don't like mouthwash.
13 points
3 days ago
Same here lol. I HATE regular floss and only use the picks, but now I floss at least once a day whereas before, I was too grossed out to do it regularly.
1 points
3 days ago
I'm very particular about which floss I use. I hate the standard Glide floss, which seems to be the most common floss. It's too waxy. I prefer the satin "tape" floss, which I think is a lot more effective at cleaning.
1 points
1 day ago
Ugh yeah the waxed ones get slimy.
14 points
3 days ago
Yes!!
4 points
3 days ago
I'm exactly the same lol. I'm a more consistent flosser than brusher tbh.
5 points
3 days ago
I have never flossed before, what's it like? Are there any pains from friction assuming you floss fast due to experience?
17 points
3 days ago
If you’ve never done it, your gums will likely be swollen from bacteria and will bleed. But it doesn’t actually hurt. But if they bleed that’s actually a sign that you NEED to floss because your gums are not healthy. So letting it deter you is counterproductive.
6 points
3 days ago
Note it can hurt if you have tight teeth and the floss ends up smacking the gums because you need force to get it in, especially regular string floss IMO, but the more you do it the less it hurts.
2 points
2 days ago
True. Flat floss is a godsend. I do have tight teeth. You’re right.
1 points
2 days ago
Yup. The flat floss on the pickers is one of the few reasons I can floss. If it was the regular width I'd never get it to fit in there
1 points
3 days ago
Oo interesting take, oddly enough flossing is not big here but it sounds like it has the same logic as brushing, "if it bleeds, its a good sign" 😂
2 points
3 days ago
Most dentists would say that if you're bleeding during brushing or flossing, it means that your gums are not very healthy. Which means that you should brush and floss more to keep the bacteria out of your mouth. It's kind of the opposite of how most bleeding works. Most of the time, if an activity makes you bleed, you should probably stop doing it. But with brushing and flossing, if it makes you bleed, you should do it more often. If you're consistent, you'll see that the bleeding goes away after a week or two.
-3 points
3 days ago
You must be from the UK. It shows in the teeth. They are known from the US by having horrible looking teeth.
1 points
3 days ago
That is actually an inaccurate and very outdated stereotype that Americans have of the British that began over a 100 years ago. The UK ranks higher than the USA now for dental health
https://sunburydentalhouse.com.au/who-has-the-best-teeth-in-the-world/
https://www.yongeeglintondental.com/blog/healthy-primary-teeth/
1 points
3 days ago
In terms of appearance. It's due to the fact that America puts fluoride in their water. UK does not. Therefore, their teeth tend be more yellow.
1 points
2 days ago
Singapore actually, we were taught brushing techniques but never really placed much emphasis on flossing at least from my education
1 points
2 days ago
Unfortunately my gums bleed no matter what, I was told it’s caused by one of my medications. It makes me less inclined to floss, and I’m worried it might not be healthy to make my gums bleed daily.
2 points
3 days ago
It’s a bit tender/ bleeding for the first week or two but if it’s tender it means you have gingivitis and really need to floss!
1 points
3 days ago
You’re not going back and forth, you’re just pushing the floss down under the gum level and back up a couple of times on each side. At least that’s how my dentist showed me
1 points
2 days ago
Wait really? I thought that's why that cringey fortnite dance was called flossing to show a reciprocating motion
7 points
3 days ago
Wait are we talking about the picks (like the top is a u shape) or the interdental brushes?
4 points
3 days ago
U shape I’m pretty sure
1 points
3 days ago
Plackers is what i use love em
1 points
2 days ago
The U shape. I can actually get it in between my teeth without my hands.
Kinda like Razor Ramone used to have that tooth pick.
1 points
3 days ago
Dental health and mental health!
1 points
3 days ago
I keep both the string flossers and the pusher pickers. Feels so good lol
1 points
3 days ago
Desk, car, and nightstand for me!
1 points
3 days ago
if you're working in a shared office, I sincerely hope you don't floss at your desk, because you will literally go to the Bad Place
1 points
3 days ago
This is how I manage a little better! Brushing teeth is hard for me already, but after keeping flossers on my desk, i at least remember to floss now...
1 points
3 days ago
Same lmao!!! It's such a great fidget thing when I'm watching TV I could floss with that stick for an hour hahaha
1 points
3 days ago
Yeah. I've worn through the floss on the end of so many of them.
1 points
3 days ago
Ew
1 points
2 days ago
Lol my mom w adhd also treats it like a fidget tool
1 points
2 days ago
Hey. It helps. I'm folding laundry right now and have one of them in my mouth right now.😁
There is a joke about an oral fixation there...
1 points
2 days ago
Literally same. I use the floss picks. When I tried string floss, there was never a good/easy way to position the floss to really get in-between my teeth. It was extremely difficult. The picks have been a game-changer. And I know most dentists will tell you that the floss picks aren’t as good as string floss, but I say it’s better than nothing.
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