Air flossers

[Thorburn]

Have generally healthy teeth, but always suffered with plaque build up which I've struggled to get on top of. Just had it all removed by the dentist and they were recommending push through brushes instead of flossing, but just can't get on with them as generally the gaps are very tight and I end up just bending them.

By coincidence on a podcast I was listening to when I got back from the dentist and they were talking about air flossers and been looking at this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Sonicare-HX8212-0...

Just wondered if anyone on here had any experience with them, how effective they are and are there any downsides?

[randlemarcus]

OH was told by her v nice dentist to get one of these, so I bought the Lidl one. Awful thing that just squirted water everywhere.

Bought that one, and its brilliant. Sort of little pulses of water (for God's sake, use warm water), that go from the outside of the gaps, and squirt all manner of awfulness out. Not at all sure it will help with plaque - it's for getting bits out from between, but can't hurt.

My parents had a brilliant one when I was younger, same sort of thing, but a really fine continuous jet - excellent for cleaning small bits of stuff I took to bits

[jules_s]

Brilliant bits of kit

Work really well, but totally reliant on you using them all the time

In my case i'm less than brilliant in that regard, I must get the thing back out from under the sink

[Thorburn]

Cool, think I'll probably pick one of these up then.

[Chris Stott]

Water flossers are brilliant for removing food, but won't do much to reduce plaque build up.

You need to use tee pees for that. Just find the right size ones and stick with it.

[jkh112]

As my gums have receded with age I have an issue with food trapped around my crown. Flossing or brushes do not seem to have able to get into the small recess I have but one of those flossers linked by the OP works fantastic.
I use it regularly and have no more issues with trapped food and it has slowed the build up of plaque but not stopped it. For plaque you still need to floss or use brushes.

[NoIP]

Thorburn said:

Have generally healthy teeth, but always suffered with plaque build up which I've struggled to get on top of. Just had it all removed by the dentist and they were recommending push through brushes instead of flossing, but just can't get on with them as generally the gaps are very tight and I end up just bending them.

By coincidence on a podcast I was listening to when I got back from the dentist and they were talking about air flossers and been looking at this one :https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Sonicare-HX8212-02-AirFloss/dp/B01G3I42Q0

Just wondered if anyone on here had any experience with them, how effective they are and are there any downsides?

Obvious affiliate ad in an attempt to escape the mods attention is obvious.

Here is the correct link : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Sonicare-HX8212-0...

[Big Al.]

NoIP said:

Obvious affiliate ad in an attempt to escape the mods attention is obvious.

Here is the correct link : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Sonicare-HX8212-0...

They look the same to me.

[BoRED S2upid]

Great piece of kit for your gums. I used to have 3's when they go around your teeth and the guns always bled now down to 1's and 0's and no blood. You can use them with water or diluted mouthwash.

[Yipper]

An electric toothbrush should remove 90-99% of daily plaque, even if you get heavy buildup after 12-24hrs.

Most people get plaque buildup because of poor brushing technique. Get a hygienist or dental nurse to lie you down in a dentist's chair and physically brush your teeth for you with a leccy brush (they hold the brush). Hold it at a slight angle and press lightly at the gum edges for a few seconds before moving on to the next tooth.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Toothbrushes-Accessorie...

Plaque buildup is a major predictor of early death, so you must get on top of it.

[grumbledoak]

Good for your gums. Not so good for everything in the vicinity. Best used in the garden.

[Alucidnation]

Some people suffer from plaque worse than others, so there isn't a one 'fix all' product.

Just regular brushing and general good mouth hygiene will help.

[Thorburn]

Alucidnation said:

Some people suffer from plaque worse than others, so there isn't a one 'fix all' product.

Just regular brushing and general good mouth hygiene will help.

I'm pretty good in terms of remembering to brush twice daily, and have picked up an electric toothbrush now so hoping that'll help. Just hopeless at flossing so hoping this will help.