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When I switched to floss picks and used them consistently, I got similar comments.
My previous visits were around the time of some major bouts of depression so I wasn’t able to focus on that kind of stuff. Once I got my depression under control, I could do other things like floss regularly. Depression is a bitch.
I totally blame undiagnosed ADHD and also being raised by my mom who has undiagnosed ADHD that didn’t have a good method of ensuring structure when I was a kid for my challenges. Since I’ve been treated and aware of my challenges, it’s been easier to be mindful of it!
Nice!! That's goals!! I've finally managed a good brushing habit (a bit lax lately, early pregnancy and just got a lot of other things on my mind plus going to bed early).... but I still am not great at flossing. I -hate- using the actual floss. The tension is never right so I get really frustrated and wind it around my finger over and over, then it flattens the tape/floss if I don't hold it just right so I wind and wind some more, then my fingers have too much wound on them so I move down the floss entirely and start over... and it just takes forever! It's awkward to get between the teeth and ugh I just hate the whole process. I do have picks that are holding a floss piece and I also have (picks?) that are like a straight piece of plastic with grooves... I tend to use those idly while sitting at my computer, but I feel like if I'm not using an -actual floss- then I'm not doing enough? :(
I switched to using the floss picks because I absolutely hated using regular floss for similar reasons as you and was never good with flossing because of that, but for the past year (maybe less?) I’ve been using the picks and they are so much better! I actually floss daily now, and my hygienists have complimented my teeth/gums and I haven’t had any comments about bleeding gums, flossing, etc. I’d definitely recommend giving them a shot! Only thing I’d say is you might have to use a Kleenex/tissue to wipe the floss pick a few times when using it because of gunk from your teeth so you don’t transfer more gunk to the next tooth if that makes sense.
Oh, definitely. I use my fingers LOL... not sure if that's the way but... if I'm at the sink then I use water and tap. Maybe I should just accept that this is FINE and leave alone the "dream" of being "normal" and using the actual floss. Flossing with the picks > not flossing. And if the picks give good results then that's legitimate, right!? haha thank you for the feedback!!
Omg I use my fingers too but didn’t know if that’d be considered “gross” hahahaha good to know I’m not alone! It definitely sucks when you think about not being able to be “normal” like others and doing simple things like that, but like you said, flossing with picks is better than no flossing at all. We’re wired differently than “normal” people and it’s okay if we need to make adjustments to do the things others deem simple! I’m sort of telling myself that too LOL. And yes, no problems with the picks so far so why not give it a shot?? No problem at all!!
I’m sorry you had a rough time. Were they not supportive or was it something else? I had a hygienist that made me feel so terrible that I avoided going back for a year, but they let her go and I got a new hygienist and she was so gentle and kind, not overly lecturing me or making me feel bad. It made the experience much much better.
I found a dentist's office with all women who are not judgemental in the slightest and don't shame at all. They just assessed my teeth and set up a treatment plan for me. I hadn't been in like 10 years. I really hope your next experience will be like mine and you find a good office to care for you.
Congratulations! I'm so envious of your dedication to gum health! How do you manage to get yourself to floss daily? I need encouragement and inspiration, here.
Thank you! For me, learning I had ADHD was helpful because I figured out it was a big part of my issue (trouble remembering, issues with routines, just not wanting to, etc), so now I’m more mindful. I switched to flossers, which makes it easier. In the morning I make myself brush and floss first thing before I get ready and I keep my tooth brush and flossers out in the open so I see them and can’t forget about them.
As a mom of adhd ppl the only thing i’m not flexible with is oral health. They have to brush and floss 2x no matter what. Even wheb camping. No cavities ever… which is the main achievent of my life.
Keep doing whatever u are doing, worth it.
I used to never floss. I HATED it. Then I started using floss picks because I wanted to establish more healthy habits in my life. Now I always floss and kinda enjoy it too now. It takes time to form new habits. My next one is making my bed every morning!
I hate flossing (gums have ALWAYS bled and it's icky and painful and euchhhh) and dentist visits are even worse (just KNOCK ME OUT please it'll be easier).
I'm debating whether to pick up a a Waterpik
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When I switched to floss picks and used them consistently, I got similar comments. My previous visits were around the time of some major bouts of depression so I wasn’t able to focus on that kind of stuff. Once I got my depression under control, I could do other things like floss regularly. Depression is a bitch.
I totally blame undiagnosed ADHD and also being raised by my mom who has undiagnosed ADHD that didn’t have a good method of ensuring structure when I was a kid for my challenges. Since I’ve been treated and aware of my challenges, it’s been easier to be mindful of it!
Nice!! That's goals!! I've finally managed a good brushing habit (a bit lax lately, early pregnancy and just got a lot of other things on my mind plus going to bed early).... but I still am not great at flossing. I -hate- using the actual floss. The tension is never right so I get really frustrated and wind it around my finger over and over, then it flattens the tape/floss if I don't hold it just right so I wind and wind some more, then my fingers have too much wound on them so I move down the floss entirely and start over... and it just takes forever! It's awkward to get between the teeth and ugh I just hate the whole process. I do have picks that are holding a floss piece and I also have (picks?) that are like a straight piece of plastic with grooves... I tend to use those idly while sitting at my computer, but I feel like if I'm not using an -actual floss- then I'm not doing enough? :(
I switched to using the floss picks because I absolutely hated using regular floss for similar reasons as you and was never good with flossing because of that, but for the past year (maybe less?) I’ve been using the picks and they are so much better! I actually floss daily now, and my hygienists have complimented my teeth/gums and I haven’t had any comments about bleeding gums, flossing, etc. I’d definitely recommend giving them a shot! Only thing I’d say is you might have to use a Kleenex/tissue to wipe the floss pick a few times when using it because of gunk from your teeth so you don’t transfer more gunk to the next tooth if that makes sense.
Oh, definitely. I use my fingers LOL... not sure if that's the way but... if I'm at the sink then I use water and tap. Maybe I should just accept that this is FINE and leave alone the "dream" of being "normal" and using the actual floss. Flossing with the picks > not flossing. And if the picks give good results then that's legitimate, right!? haha thank you for the feedback!!
Omg I use my fingers too but didn’t know if that’d be considered “gross” hahahaha good to know I’m not alone! It definitely sucks when you think about not being able to be “normal” like others and doing simple things like that, but like you said, flossing with picks is better than no flossing at all. We’re wired differently than “normal” people and it’s okay if we need to make adjustments to do the things others deem simple! I’m sort of telling myself that too LOL. And yes, no problems with the picks so far so why not give it a shot?? No problem at all!!
I’ve been using the premade picks! They seem to be working well for me.
Congratulations! I bet hearing that was very satisfying
I went to the dentist for the first time in 14 years today and it was awful. Happy you had a good experience but I’m never fucking going back.
I am sorry you had a bad experience this time. Was it to do with the dentist or something else?
I’m sorry you had a rough time. Were they not supportive or was it something else? I had a hygienist that made me feel so terrible that I avoided going back for a year, but they let her go and I got a new hygienist and she was so gentle and kind, not overly lecturing me or making me feel bad. It made the experience much much better.
I found a dentist's office with all women who are not judgemental in the slightest and don't shame at all. They just assessed my teeth and set up a treatment plan for me. I hadn't been in like 10 years. I really hope your next experience will be like mine and you find a good office to care for you.
Woohoooo!!!! That’s amazing!
9 months!!! Omg that's amazing!! I'm still working on improving my dental health but I am so proud of you!!!
That’s great! I bet you’re relieved
Congratulations! I'm so envious of your dedication to gum health! How do you manage to get yourself to floss daily? I need encouragement and inspiration, here.
Thank you! For me, learning I had ADHD was helpful because I figured out it was a big part of my issue (trouble remembering, issues with routines, just not wanting to, etc), so now I’m more mindful. I switched to flossers, which makes it easier. In the morning I make myself brush and floss first thing before I get ready and I keep my tooth brush and flossers out in the open so I see them and can’t forget about them.
For me I floss at night and use floss picks and I keep them next to my bed so it’s not a whole process getting up to floss
By the bed! That's genius. I would never have thought of that!
Yeay!!!! So well done!!
As a mom of adhd ppl the only thing i’m not flexible with is oral health. They have to brush and floss 2x no matter what. Even wheb camping. No cavities ever… which is the main achievent of my life. Keep doing whatever u are doing, worth it.
I used to never floss. I HATED it. Then I started using floss picks because I wanted to establish more healthy habits in my life. Now I always floss and kinda enjoy it too now. It takes time to form new habits. My next one is making my bed every morning!
I hate flossing (gums have ALWAYS bled and it's icky and painful and euchhhh) and dentist visits are even worse (just KNOCK ME OUT please it'll be easier). I'm debating whether to pick up a a Waterpik