Flossing every day is just as important as brushing twice a day. That’s because your toothbrush can’t clean between your teeth or below your gum line, where plaque can accumulate. If you are someone who finds string floss tricky to use, a water flosser can transform your dental care routine. Water flossers are a gentler alternative to traditional floss. They are easier to use and less abrasive for your gums. Are water flossers any good? Let’s take a look at what the research says.
The Importance Of Plaque Removal For Dental Care
The goal of brushing and flossing is to remove the plaque that accumulates in your mouth every day. When plaque is not removed, it hardens and turns into a substance called tartar, which only your dentist can remove. Plaque and tartar cause tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath, so it’s really important to ensure a high level of dental care in between visits to your dentist.
How Do Water Flossers Work?
A water flosser or Water Pik uses jets of water to remove plaque, debris, and food particles from between your teeth.
Streams of water are gentler on your gums than string floss and are easier to use than traditional floss.
Unlike string floss, which requires the user to manoeuvre it carefully around each tooth, a water flosser only needs to be directed towards your mouth to work effectively.
The Benefits Of Using A Water Flosser
Are Water Flossers Any Good For Plaque Removal?
One study found that water flossers were 29% more effective at removing plaque when used with a manual toothbrush when compared with a manual toothbrush and string floss.
Are Water Flossers Any Good For Gingivitis?
Patients with gingivitis need to ensure they maintain an excellent standard of dental care. Using a water flosser can flush away the bacteria that cause gum disease. It also does an excellent job of flushing out periodontal pockets as the water jets can penetrate deeper than string floss. More than 20 clinical trials have demonstrated that a Water Pik effectively manages gingivitis and bleeding gums.
Water flossers offer another benefit for patients with gum disease: they are gentler on soft tissues. String floss can be painful and uncomfortable to use if your gums are swollen and bleed. A Water Pik is a soothing and effective way to keep bacteria levels and plaque under control.
Are Water Flossers Any Good For Children?
Using a Water Pik gives you peace of mind that your children are effectively removing plaque from their teeth. Teaching your child about dental care includes brushing and flossing, but children may take a bit longer to master the skill required to use traditional floss.
Using a water flosser means you don’t have to worry about your children hurting themselves with floss while they maintain their oral health. It also ensures a positive experience while they learn to care for their teeth.
When To Consider Water Flossers
A water flosser can benefit you if…
You struggle to use string floss
If you have a condition that affects the mobility of your hands, a water pik does most of the work for you. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, Parkinson’s Disease, and arthritis can benefit from the ease of using water flossers. All you need to do is angle the water flosser correctly towards your gum line and direct it around each tooth.
You have gum disease
If you have gingivitis, it’s very important to keep the bacteria in your mouth under control. Water flossers penetrate deeper than string floss, plus they rinse periodontal pockets out more effectively. You can adjust the pressure level of the device and also experiment with different water temperatures to make the experience more pleasant if your gums are sensitive.
You have dental restorations
If tooth decay has already caused you to lose one or more teeth, consider using a Water Pik.
If you have dental implants, bridgework, or dental crowns, it’s essential that you manage your plaque levels effectively.
Even though dental restorations are not subject to tooth decay, it is possible for plaque to accumulate on and around them, putting you at risk of gum disease.
Plaque control is also essential to protect your remaining natural teeth against decay.
You wear orthodontic braces
Wearing braces makes dental hygiene a challenge. It’s much more difficult to see and clean around your teeth when wires and brackets are in your way. Using water flossers can flush away debris and food particles after eating. It’s also much more gentle on your gums and teeth when they are sensitive after tightening and adjusting braces.
Improve your oral health
Water flossers are an excellent add-on to anyone’s oral hygiene routine. If you’re not ready to throw your string floss out, you don’t have to. Consider using your Water Pik before or after traditional floss to loosen plaque and remove food particles.
How To Maintain Your Oral Health?
Everyone should brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste for at least two minutes. Make sure you clean each tooth’s surface, beginning at one end of your mouth and working your way across the arch.
Make sure you floss daily with a water flosser or string floss. It doesn’t matter whether you brush or floss first; what matters is that you clean between your teeth and below your gum line.
Visit your dentist twice a year for checkups and a professional cleaning to remove any plaque or hardened tartar and to safeguard your teeth against decay.
For more insight into the question ‘are water flossers any good’, or for help with your flossing technique, please call us: .
References
Evaluation of the plaque removal efficacy of a water flosser compared to string floss in adults after a single use
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24282867/
Is Water Flossing Better Than String Flossing?
https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-water-flossing-better-than-string-flossing
Waterpik vs. Flossing: Pros and Cons
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/waterpik-vs-flossing
