# Water flossing VS string flossing + manual brush VS power brush

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-flossing-vs-string-flossing-manual-brush-vs-power-brush/785154>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [April 24, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-flossing-vs-string-flossing-manual-brush-vs-power-brush/785154 "2017-04-24T17:51:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-flossing-vs-string-flossing-manual-brush-vs-power-brush/785154/21 "2019-03-30T09:03:30Z")

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> [@jtur88](#):
>
> I doubt if there is a measurable difference – everybody’s dental health and hardware is so unique, that it would be impossible to compare results on “comparable” teeth, since none can ever be defined as comparable for statistical purposes. You can be assured that the one that costs the most will be the one with the most visible squadron of advocates, furnished with plenty of bogus test results.
> 
> I had the very good luck to inherit my father’s excellent teeth. I brush twice a day, and floss after supper while watching jeopardy if it feels like I need it. I massage my gums about once a week. My hygienist recommended tartar control paste, which seems to have kept her at bay for more than a decade since my last cleaning.

How does one massage one’s gums? Like, with your fingertips?

Genuine, serious question. I have some minor gum issues, and maybe this would help.

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-flossing-vs-string-flossing-manual-brush-vs-power-brush/785154/22 "2019-03-30T15:02:07Z")

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Kind of depends on your teeth. My dentist tells me that my teeth “are like rocks”. I’ve never used anything other than a manual brush and I rarely floss (although I keep a plastic pick in my wallet), yet my hygienist tells me not to change a thing. Good genes, I guess.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2019, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-flossing-vs-string-flossing-manual-brush-vs-power-brush/785154/23 "2019-04-03T10:13:43Z")

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In my humble opinion, brush you once a day is never enough. Whether it is an electric toothbrush or a regular toothbrush, the correct method of brushing is more important. Floss and [water flosser](https://www.cuou.net/water-flosser.html) are always your tools, you can’t rely on them to get rid of tooth decay.

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2019, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-flossing-vs-string-flossing-manual-brush-vs-power-brush/785154/24 "2019-04-03T11:52:24Z")

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Reported.

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