Water Flossing is a Great Alternative for Floss Haters

By: Patricia Salber MD, MBA (The Doctor Weighs In)

14% of people would rather clean toilets than floss. Here’s a more palatable alternative.

Ok, I admit it. I hate flossing. I am not exactly sure why. Maybe it is the feel of the string against my gums. Or how hard it is to release the floss when it is forced down between teeth that are very close together. Whatever the reason, I just don’t like to do even though I know that it is “good for me.” So, I don’t. But I have discovered a great alternative to string flossing. It is the water flosser. Let me explain.

Like me, most people don’t floss daily

Evidently, I am not alone when it comes to an aversion to flossing. A 2015 survey found that 18% of respondents would rather wash dishes and 14% would rather clean the toilet than floss! In fact, only 30% of the population flosses daily which is about the same percentage of people who say they never floss. It is also close to the same number of people who admit to lying to their dentists about how often they floss.

A few years ago, after enduring endless “bad flosser” lectures from my dentist, hygienist, and husband, I decided to get my teeth cleaned monthly instead of twice a year. I thought that would make up for my flossing…