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After many years of flossing, and with my (very-conservative) dentist's tentative approval, last year I switched to using small interdental brushes [0] each tim

After many years of flossing, and with my (very-conservative) dentist's tentative approval, last year I switched to using small interdental brushes [0] each time I brush, which is more convenient. I rinse the little brushes every time and use new brushes once per week. I use two sizes (fine and wide) because two particular teeth are tightly packed together. At my last checkup my dentist said it was fine to keep using the interdental brushes in lieu of flossing. [0] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00873H7AS https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00873H7AS (I get nothing from this link; like me, you might need different sizes).

JimiofEden 8y ago
Any thoughts on the environmental impact on floss vs using and disposing these brushes once a week? I use dental floss regularly, but I have been thinking that it's sure odd that I throw away little pieces of (what I think is) plastic everyday without thinking twice about it.
- dctoedt 8y ago
  > Any thoughts on the environmental impact on floss vs using and disposing these brushes once a week? I'm guessing that to a first approximation it's probably a wash, or very close to it — and the brushes might even be better than floss in terms of total weight and volume of plastic per week. (I haven't tried measuring either quantity.)
- MegaButts 8y ago
  While certainly a larger initial investment, if disposable waste if your concern you should try a waterpik. https://www.amazon.com/Waterpik-Accepted-WP-660-Aquarius-Flosser/dp/B00HFQQ0VU?th=1 https://www.amazon.com/Waterpik-Accepted-WP-660-Aquarius-Flo... They work great, it's roughly as good as flossing (depending on who you ask it's worse or better), and it's easy with nothing to throw away. There are cheaper models as well, that's just the one I have and it works great.
  - pacala 8y ago
    My dentist is adamant that waterpik is not a substitute for flossing, rather a solid bonus.

JimiofEden 8y ago

Any thoughts on the environmental impact on floss vs using and disposing these brushes once a week? I use dental floss regularly, but I have been thinking that it's sure odd that I throw away little pieces of (what I think is) plastic everyday without thinking twice about it.

dctoedt 8y ago
> Any thoughts on the environmental impact on floss vs using and disposing these brushes once a week? I'm guessing that to a first approximation it's probably a wash, or very close to it — and the brushes might even be better than floss in terms of total weight and volume of plastic per week. (I haven't tried measuring either quantity.)
MegaButts 8y ago
While certainly a larger initial investment, if disposable waste if your concern you should try a waterpik. https://www.amazon.com/Waterpik-Accepted-WP-660-Aquarius-Flosser/dp/B00HFQQ0VU?th=1 https://www.amazon.com/Waterpik-Accepted-WP-660-Aquarius-Flo... They work great, it's roughly as good as flossing (depending on who you ask it's worse or better), and it's easy with nothing to throw away. There are cheaper models as well, that's just the one I have and it works great.
- pacala 8y ago
  My dentist is adamant that waterpik is not a substitute for flossing, rather a solid bonus.