Floss or Interdental Brushes

[The Mad Monk]

BBC Radio 4 has been discussing whether it is better to floss or interdental brush (TePe brushes).

I think the conclusion is that flossing is yesterday's technique and the way forward is the little interdental brushes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36962667

[majordad]

Both ! Like usung a normal toothbrush and on other occasions an electric one works.

[blueg33]

I have to use both. Many teeth are too close for the brushes. I also have a food trap and neither get it clean on their own.



Edited for crap typing

Edited by blueg33 on Wednesday 3rd August 22:10

[The Mad Monk]

blueg33 said:

neither gdt it vlesn on their own.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

[anonymous-user]

Combination of wisdom easy floss and the wisdom clean in between brushes is good.

Using normal floss is a pain and I am not keen on the metal in the teepee brushes.

[jules_s]

Hydro flosser

[blueg33]

The Mad Monk said:

blueg33 said:

neither gdt it vlesn on their own.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

Sorry. Clunky fingers and iphone

[BigMon]

I had gingivitis and flossing cured it.

Isn't floss the only product that cleans under the gumline?

[GruntyDC5]

Water Pik

[Digger]

Yeah I've been wondering about these water flossers! I've never flossed as I just find it awkward.

Anyone gone from flossing / interdental to a water flosser?

[Nuclear Biscuit]

I use a water flosser, brilliant results and really quick to use. I had a waterpik but the charger socket rusted, so now have a Panasonic which uses cordless charging.

[All that jazz]

My teeth are very tight together to the point where floss won't go in without force and then it chews into my gums because it can't move anywhere else. The stupid thing is that the dental hygienist came up with this flossing plan despite never having had any issues with plaque build-up in the past. I quickly came to the conclusion that the hygienist was just a clueless, young scaremongerer and went back to my usual method of using a narrow headed brush on the front and backs of my teeth like I've always done and sure enough at my last check-up my teeth and gums were absolutely fine with no hardened plaque build-up and simply required a quick buffing and then I was good to go. Flossing is a load of timewasting bks. Get the right sized brush head and use the correct technique - it's as simple as that.

[DocJock]

You're doing it wrong - it's as simple as that.

Also, a toothbrush cannot fully clean interstitially if your teeth have contact points. I guess that makes you the clueless one.

[All that jazz]

DocJock said:

You're doing it wrong - it's as simple as that.

Also, a toothbrush cannot fully clean interstitially if your teeth have contact points. I guess that makes you the clueless one.

Fair enough. I guess 40 years of having problem free teeth (with the exception of 1 filling in my teens when I went off the rails a bit) means that I'm doing it wrong then . My dentist always comments on the good condition of my teeth and they never need more than a polish other than a couple of occasions where there was a small build-up of the hard plaque on the gum line behind my lower fronts which he had to clear with his scraper. He showed me the brush technique to keep that area clean and I've not any reoccurences.

[BoRED S2upid]

jules_s said:

Hydro flosser

We have one of these they are ace a mini jet wash for your teeth and gums.

[Digger]

Looking at the tips these widgets come with it looks like they are designed to clean the front teeth and gum line?! Am I wrong, or can you actually reach the back of the teeth as well?