Flossing Teeth

Anoneemoose

Hi,

I normally use those plastic flossers as I don’t seem to be able to get the hang of actual floss. I seem to lack coordination!:rotfl: However, I am conscious of single use plastic waste. I’ve tried tepe brushes too but there are none small enough for my smallest gaps.

Anyway, I just wondered if those machines you can get actually work. Or do I just need to persevere with the floss!

theoretica

Another option would be a reusable floss holder - this sort of thing. Still plastic, but not single use.



https://www.amazon.co.uk/FlossGrip-Dental-Floss-Holder-Blue/dp/B00K5S4V34

Anoneemoose

theoretica wrote: »

Another option would be a reusable floss holder - this sort of thing. Still plastic, but not single use.



https://www.amazon.co.uk/FlossGrip-Dental-Floss-Holder-Blue/dp/B00K5S4V34

Ooh, what a clever idea. I never knew this sort of thing existed. Thank you!

Lorian

the knack to flossing is taking a piece of floss longer than you think you need and wrapping it around your two pointing fingers before pulling tight.

I got this technique from Wonko the Sane.

purple45

We have an oral irrigator that blasts between your teeth with water. My boyfriend thinks it beats flossing by a long distance and no waste at all. I think it takes some getting used to as it makes my gums bleed but probably because they need more looking after!

Lorian

purple45 wrote: »

We have an oral irrigator that blasts between your teeth with water. My boyfriend thinks it beats flossing by a long distance and no waste at all. I think it takes some getting used to as it makes my gums bleed but probably because they need more looking after!

It shouldn't make your gums bleed. You should try flossing

If you have really tight gaps floss will get in when water struggles. Sometimes difficult to get back out though.

Flossing tape is good too - bit easier to use than floss.

Nile

My dental hygienist recommended Oral-B Pro Expert Premium Dental Floss to me:

https://groceries.asda.com/product/dental-floss/oralb-pro-expert-premium-dental-floss/910001116207

It's currently on offer (£2.00) at Asda. I wait for the offer and buy it in bulk.

I've tried lots of floss brands over the years and this is the best. It glides between teeth and doesn't snag and fray on crowns, like other floss might do.

It leaves a nice minty flavour in your mouth. One word of warning though, if you wrap it around your fingers to floss............and shortly afterwards you rub your eyes with the same finger, your eyes will sting a bit.

The best advice is from your dentist and hygienist. Ask your hygienist to show you the best way to floss your teeth. For example, mine showed me to slide the floss (over the top of the crowns) into the gums.

jenniewb

OP, You mention you've tried the Tepe brushes, but have you tried the Dentex brushes? They are narrower than the Tepe. The reason I mention them is that I can't use the floss on the single use sticks, I find them too thick and difficult to yank back out from my teeth- I've even lost a crown to them! But the Dentex brushes are I think a lot thinner and do seem to work well.


If you've tried the thinnest Tepe brush, the pink coloured handle is 0.4mm. I don't understand the measurements written on the Dentex packs because they say things like 2.0mm but actually feel far thinner than the Tepe 0.4 so I'd ignore the label; the thinnest is the purple pack, then the green, then the pink which is about the same as the Dentex.


Boots sell them, here is a link if you're interested
https://www.boots.com/dentek-slim-brush-ultra-fine-32ct-10216423

Ms_Mop_123

Thanks Nile for recommending the floss, got some yesterday from Asda and I've used it and really pleased with it. The amount of times I've got floss stuck in between my teeth when it's frayed and had to get nail scissors and cut it. Going to get stocked up with it tomorrow when I go into town.