"Curious though—has anyone switched from floss to brushes later on and noticed any real difference?"
I tried switching to interdental brushes about two years ago after flossing around my implants for ages. Honestly, the brushes felt kinda clumsy at first, and I was constantly worried I'd damage something (probably just my anxiety kicking in...). Eventually, I got used to them, and now they feel okay. Can't really say I've noticed a huge difference though. Does anyone else get nervous about accidentally loosening implants or is it just me being overly cautious?
I've been using interdental brushes for around four years now, and honestly, I did notice a difference compared to floss. Initially, I was worried about damaging my implants too, but after my dentist showed me exactly how to angle the brushes gently, that anxiety faded pretty quickly. For me, brushes seem to clean better around the implant posts—less plaque build-up over time. Maybe technique matters more than the tool itself...? Just my two cents.
You're spot on about technique being key. I've seen plenty of patients get great results with floss too, but interdental brushes often make it easier to reach tricky spots around implants. The trick is gentle pressure and finding the right-sized brush—not too tight, not too loose. Some folks tend to rush it, which can irritate gums, so slow and steady really wins here. Glad your dentist took the time to show you—makes a huge difference when you know exactly what you're aiming for...and what you're trying to avoid.
Great points about interdental brushes, but honestly, I've found a water flosser to be even better for implants. Brushes are great, sure, but sometimes even gentle brushing can irritate sensitive gums—especially if you're prone to inflammation. With a water flosser, you can adjust the pressure exactly how you like it, and it flushes out debris without friction. Took me a few tries to get the hang of it, but now it's my go-to. Might be worth considering if brushes ever feel uncomfortable...
"With a water flosser, you can adjust the pressure exactly how you like it, and it flushes out debris without friction."
I totally get what you're saying about the water flosser. I tried one myself after my dentist recommended it, but honestly, I found the sensation a bit overwhelming at first—felt like I was drowning my gums! Took me a while to trust myself with adjusting the pressure. Now I alternate between interdental brushes and the water flosser depending on how sensitive my gums feel that day. Seems to work pretty well for me so far...
