To ask who properly flosses their teeth

[Shoeshelpplease]

As inusing the correct floss or teepee for each tooth gap size? And if so how regularly? Daily? Twice daily?

Current advice is to use interdental brushes and not floss (unless your gaps are too small for brushes), as the evidence for floss is questionable.

I use the teeny plastic Wisdom/TePe ones as I couldn't stand the feel of the metal/bristle ones. I also use an interdental gel to get some fluoride in the gaps.

I'd love to know how anyone uses a water pik without getting soaking wet

Really? Maybe I won't bother then.

I think the evidence for flossing is probably poor because most people don't really know how to floss properly. I always thought it was pointless, until I learned how to actually do it - you are aiming to scrape the plaque off the side of each tooth essentially.

as the evidence for floss is questionable.

I don't buy into that.

I know my teeth, the areas that food gets stuck, floss is just the ticket.

There is evidence that flossing and keeping gums healthy is beneficial for cardiac health and may reduce the chances of a heart attack or stroke. It's not that hard to get into the habit of it really.

I floss twice a day after brushing, I don’t know if I’m doing it properly or not though as I kind of rush it. My dentist always compliments my teeth/dental hygiene though, once I didn’t get a scale and polish at a checkup as I had no build up!

My gaps are too narrow for interdental brushes. The smallest size either gets stuck or quickly has a deformed/unusable shape

I ordered a waterpik off the back of this thread and think my teeth and gums look great already. I bought the cord one after seeing reviews that cordless batteries have issues and it's not huge either, just sits above my sink! Very pleased indeed.

Encouraged by this thread, and because I have been interested for ages, I am now the proud owner of a 'desktop' waterpik

Had my first go straight away. They did say keep the head inside your mouth while water is running through it. I remembered most of the time.

When brushing my teeth, I tend to look in a mirror to see what I am doing. Anyone any suggestions how I might be able to see what I'm doing without water going everywhere ?

Teeth do feed good. Disclosing tablets showed up just a couple of spots (on the surfaces I can see) so it's looking good and maybe I just need practise.

Being able to see would be get reassuring g, though. Any suggestions?

I keep my lips together and do it by feel. You just need to guide the tip along the edge of your gums.

Dh does but he never been to dentist. Dd and i dont and go to dentist. Not mentioed to us

I don't anymore.
apparently it's not always the best thing for your teeth and can cause issues if not done properly.
I brush well twice a day and see a hygienist for a deep clean every 8 months or so.

Every night, at the moment I’m using the pink interdental brushes but I’ll be going back to the individual floss sticks as I hate the brushes

I try to remember to do it everyday but if I skip a few days when I do floss it stinks. Just goes to show what gets trapped in the gaps.

About once a week. My teens do it most days.

I use a floss harp once a day. Much easier to use than regular floss or tape, more control. They seem to work well enough but the dentist always goes to town with the scale and polish at my twice-yearly visit.

once a day after breakfast. First with waterpik, then interdental brushes and floss where the brush won't fit. Finally electric toothbrush.

I do, daily.

I use soft-picks. I buy them en masse in the US.

I use interdental brushes (blue) every night. My dentist said she can tell the difference in my gums and they've stopped receding.

I have good teeth and no fillings too. Flossing / using brushes is about gum health, not teeth, though.

I'm slack about this too, seem to have got away with it as have only a couple of fillings well into my 60s. Wish braces had been a thing though as mine are overcrowded.

My theory is that most people are diligent about the things they need to be. So DH has incredibly sensitive skin thus has a better skin care regime than I do as he has to. I, on the other hand, hugely over react to bites and stings whereas he seems immune so, on holiday, it's me frantically creaming myself before we go out. Horses courses really.