What's a good brand of THIN dental floss?

[paulney]

Crest Glide is the best. Costco sells packs for a reasonable price.

 

[moshquerade]

Update: I bought some floss, based on some recommendations here.

A comparison image. Top to bottom:
- Johnson&Johnson Reach woven floss
- Oral-B Glide Pro-Health
- Oral-B Satin
- Colgate Pro-Health

First of all, the Reach woven floss is thick. The picture doesn't really show the other dimension well, but it's like flossing with yarn.

Oral-B Glide Pro-Health: I'll get to that tomorrow.

Oral-B Satin: It's still not as tiny as the Colgate stuff, and doesn't go between my teeth nearly as easily. It's got a rather unusual texture, almost a rubbery feel to it. I'll mess with it a bit more tomorrow.....after what will surely be a fun trip to the dentist. (There's a cavity forming on the side of one of my wisdom teeth. There's no pain, as it's not yet through the enamel, but I figure there's a date with a drill coming up.) I shall inquire there as well as to possible channels of acquisition for the Colgate floss - and maybe see if the dentist knows why they don't sell this stuff to consumers.

It is thick, but it gets into even the tightest of contacts. I know, when I have my teeth cleaned the Hygienist struggles to get the floss in between. I have tight contacts, but can get the woven floss in there fine myself. It might not be the best choice for you, but I use it because I truly find it gets the food particles/plaque out better than no other.

 

[highland145]

Crest Glide is the best. trust me.

This. Without reading the op again, iirc, you have teeth that are close together. Same here. The crest is the best I've found and there are still days that I cut the thread before I'm done.

 

[sourceninja]

bloody gums mean you need to floss more often.

I was always told that by my dentist as a kid. Then when I was 25 I decided to test his theory.

I flossed every day for 3 months. Every day my teeth were stained red from the blood of my upper gums. The bottom gums never bleed because the teeth are not spaced as far. I then decided I had flossed too often, so I dropped it down to every other day. Still bleed for 1 month. Then I dropped it down to once a week, still bleed for 1 month.

I then went back to my dentist for a cleaning, bled all over the place when the hygienist flossed me and was told to floss more often.

Fuck flossing, I bought a water pic.

 

[JTsyo]

I was always told that by my dentist as a kid. Then when I was 25 I decided to test his theory.

I flossed every day for 3 months. Every day my teeth were stained red from the blood of my upper gums. The bottom gums never bleed because the teeth are not spaced as far. I then decided I had flossed too often, so I dropped it down to every other day. Still bleed for 1 month. Then I dropped it down to once a week, still bleed for 1 month.

I then went back to my dentist for a cleaning, bled all over the place when the hygienist flossed me and was told to floss more often.

Fuck flossing, I bought a water pic.

Smart move. Water pic is a much better way to floss. You don't need to stick you hand way deep in your mouth and it does a better job with the hard to reach places. Surprised it took this far in for the suggestion to come up.

 

[mb]

I like Crest Glide as well. I had braces when I was younger so my teeth are very close together. When I go to the dentist I have to bring the Glide with me or suffer from having them try to jam their thick floss between my teeth.

 

[moshquerade]

I was always told that by my dentist as a kid. Then when I was 25 I decided to test his theory.

I flossed every day for 3 months. Every day my teeth were stained red from the blood of my upper gums. The bottom gums never bleed because the teeth are not spaced as far. I then decided I had flossed too often, so I dropped it down to every other day. Still bleed for 1 month. Then I dropped it down to once a week, still bleed for 1 month.

I then went back to my dentist for a cleaning, bled all over the place when the hygienist flossed me and was told to floss more often.

Fuck flossing, I bought a water pic.

How often do you get your teeth cleaned?

 

[sourceninja]

How often do you get your teeth cleaned?

My insurance pays for teeth cleaning every 6 months. So I go every 6 months for the most part.

 

[moshquerade]

My insurance pays for teeth cleaning every 6 months. So I go every 6 months for the most part.

Something's not right if you are getting your teeth cleaned every 6 months and bleeding all over the place.

Does the Hygienist do a periodontal exam? What are you perio pocket numbers?

 

[sourceninja]

Something's not right if you are getting your teeth cleaned every 6 months and bleeding all over the place.

Does the Hygienist do a periodontal exam? What are you perio pocket numbers?

I just have sensitive gums. It's because I sleep with my mouth open and they dry out. You combine that with very tight teeth and getting any kind of floss in my teeth is near impossible. When the floss does make it past my teeth it gouges into my upper gums, in some cases causing actual little cuts. I then bleed all over the place. I've been to 4 or 5 dentists in my life time, everyone tells me to floss more and it will go away.

They always tell me I'm healthy, I never have cavities, and I'm always bitched at for "wear" caused by drinking coke.

My better spaced teeth never bleed. It's really the top 4 or 5 teeth and it makes me look like I was in a 10 round boxing match.

 

[moshquerade]

I just have sensitive gums. It's because I sleep with my mouth open and they dry out. You combine that with very tight teeth and getting any kind of floss in my teeth is near impossible. When the floss does make it past my teeth it gouges into my upper gums, in some cases causing actual little cuts. I then bleed all over the place. I've been to 4 or 5 dentists in my life time, everyone tells me to floss more and it will go away.

Anyone ever actually demonstrated to you the right way to floss?

They always tell me I'm healthy, I never have cavities, and I'm always bitched at for "wear" caused by drinking coke.

My better spaced teeth never bleed. It's really the top 4 or 5 teeth and it makes me look like I was in a 10 round boxing match.

That's why I asked about a periodontal exam and what your numbers are. You could cross over from gingivitis into periodontal disease, and then you are losing gum tissue attachment, could be bone loss, and eventual tooth loss.

Oh, and btw, your "sensitive gums" are because they are inflamed. Anything that is inflamed, bleeding, is going to be sensitive.

 

[CZroe]

bloody gums mean you need to floss more often.

Not when the floss itself is cutting the gums due to being rapidly propelled deeply into the soft tissue upon forcing it between tight teeth... like a knife. What you're saying only applies if it happens during normal flossing and brushing.

 

[CZroe]

Anyone ever actually demonstrated to you the right way to floss?

Don't assume he's doing it wrong. For example, my teeth are almost impossibly tight too. Once, I managed to get the floss in but I couldn't get it back out. Normally, once in, I could thread it out, but I had attempted to lift and work it out because that is how I got it in. Instead, it stuck TIGHT and could not be slipped back and forth or up and down. My teeth were under so much pressure from the floss being between them that I was EXTREMELY uncomfortable and had to get it out right away. When I forced it up, it actually broke on BOTH sides, leaving a bit of floss stuck between the teeth with lots of stringy fibers still attached. My only recourse was to put more floss in to force the left behind piece lower and then take it and the new floss out by threading.

 

[sourceninja]

Anyone ever actually demonstrated to you the right way to floss?

That's why I asked about a periodontal exam and what your numbers are. You could cross over from gingivitis into periodontal disease, and then you are losing gum tissue attachment, could be bone loss, and eventual tooth loss.

Oh, and btw, your "sensitive gums" are because they are inflamed. Anything that is inflamed, bleeding, is going to be sensitive.

I don't know the details (never really cared) but I know the test you are talking about. They jam that little pointed metal stick into your gums to test the thickness. Hurts like a son of a bitch. They always say I'm 'normal' and healthy.

 

[moshquerade]

Not when the floss itself is cutting the gums due to being rapidly propelled deeply into the soft tissue upon forcing it between tight teeth... like a knife. What you're saying only applies if it happens during normal flossing and brushing.

Alright, if you keep the floss HUGGED against your tooth and don't just go popping the floss willy nilly between your tooth then you shouldn't slice your gums. Your gum tissue is not attached all the way up. There is a free space there. (Which is 3mm or less when healthy. A measurement above that means you've lost attachment and are suffering from periodontal disease).

You need to get the floss down into the space in order to accurately remove all the plaque/debris. If you keep the floss hugged against your tooth when you break through the contact point you shouldn't cut yourself.

This picture shows what I mean. You need to move the floss up under your gum on either side. That is the correct way to floss.

 

[mb]

Not when the floss itself is cutting the gums due to being rapidly propelled deeply into the soft tissue upon forcing it between tight teeth... like a knife. What you're saying only applies if it happens during normal flossing and brushing.

Even when my dentist uses their crappy floss and they end up having to use so much force to get it between my teeth and it feels like my gums are being cut up, they still don't bleed.

 

[moshquerade]

Don't assume he's doing it wrong. For example, my teeth are almost impossibly tight too. Once, I managed to get the floss in but I couldn't get it back out. Normally, once in, I could thread it out, but I had attempted to lift and work it out because that is how I got it in. Instead, it stuck TIGHT and could not be slipped back and forth or up and down. My teeth were under so much pressure from the floss being between them that I was EXTREMELY uncomfortable and had to get it out right away. When I forced it up, it actually broke on BOTH sides, leaving a bit of floss stuck between the teeth with lots of stringy fibers still attached. My only recourse was to put more floss in to force the left behind piece lower and then take it and the new floss out by threading.

I will assume until he tells me otherwise.

Also, if you get a piece of floss stuck, don't panic. Wait a few hours or overnight if possible and your teeth will move just a slight bit making it less uncomfortable and much easier to remove the shredded floss.

 

[moshquerade]

I don't know the details (never really cared) but I know the test you are talking about. They jam that little pointed metal stick into your gums to test the thickness. Hurts like a son of a bitch. They always say I'm 'normal' and healthy.

Yeh, they should be measuring every time you go in for a cleaning. 3mm or less is a healthy measurement. Above that, and you are likely on your way to tooth loss without intervention. So, it is important. Also, it doesn't hurt. I have my mouth periodontally probed every time I get my teeth cleaned. Again, if it hurts it's because there is inflammation present.

They say you are normal, ok, doesn't sound it.

 

[moshquerade]

Even when my dentist uses their crappy floss and they end up having to use so much force to get it between my teeth and it feels like my gums are being cut up, they still don't bleed.

Healthy givigiva = healthy body. I really believe the two are intertwined.

 

[CZroe]

Alright, if you keep the floss HUGGED against your tooth and don't just go popping the floss willy nilly between your tooth then you shouldn't slice your gums. Your gum tissue is not attached all the way up. There is a free space there. (Which is 3mm or less when healthy. A measurement above that means you've lost attachment and are suffering from periodontal disease).

You need to get the floss down into the space in order to accurately remove all the plaque/debris. If you keep the floss hugged against your tooth when you break through the contact point you shouldn't cut yourself.

This picture shows what I mean. You need to move the floss up under your gum on either side. That is the correct way to floss.

We know HOW. The problem is that it is not possible to FORCE it between the teeth without enough force that it will also be FORCED though the gum, whether directed around the tooth or not.

Even when my dentist uses their crappy floss and they end up having to use so much force to get it between my teeth and it feels like my gums are being cut up, they still don't bleed.

Have they ever had to get help when flossing your teeth? Then you aren't in my league.

I will assume until he tells me otherwise.

But he did tell us... he came into this thread about this problem and said that it is the very same problem he has AND said that his gums were declared healthy by professionals at 6 month regular cleanings, so we need to stop barking up that tree.

Also, if you get a piece of floss stuck, don't panic. Wait a few hours or overnight if possible and your teeth will move just a slight bit making it less uncomfortable and much easier to remove the shredded floss.

That's just it. They are so tight the the floss is causing pressure on ALL the teeth (the pressure transfers between all contacting teeth) and causing painful discomfort. Even the thinnest little bit of something will do it.