Regular flossing is one of the strongest defences you have against periodontal disease – but are water flossers better than string floss? Well, the experts say that water flossing is certainly better than not flossing at all. So should you invest in water flossers? We believe that if a Waterpik makes the job easier, it’s more likely that you’ll do it. Let’s take a look at some of the evidence in favour of water flossing.
Why Is Flossing So Important?
Your dental hygiene routine needs to be followed twice a day to keep plaque levels under control. Your mouth is full of bacteria, and the combination of brushing and flossing removes plaque and biofilm from the inside of your mouth.
While most people are relatively diligent about twice-daily brushing, the same can’t be said for regular flossing.
Despite it being your only defence at removing plaque between your teeth and below your gum line, it’s the dental hygiene practice that most people neglect. There are a number of reasons why regular flossing is neglected, despite it being the only way to clean up to 40% of your tooth surfaces.
Fortunately, water flossing is a solution to most of the reasons that most patients don’t floss their teeth. Let’s discuss some of them.
Are Water Flossers Better Than String Floss? The Dental Advantages Of Water Flossing
Water flossers are effective at plaque removal
There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that water flossers and regular flossing remove similar amounts of plaque and biofilm.
Water flossers don’t require the same level of technique
Let’s be honest, regular flossing requires a combination of good technique and concentration in order to clean around each tooth effectively. And lots of patients just aren’t that invested; they have too many other things to think about.
Plenty of patients are instructed to improve their string flossing technique at dental checkups. For your dentist, the evidence of this lies in the build-up of tartar between your teeth and below your gum line. This is most noticeable in the parts of your mouth you can’t see – or access with a toothbrush.
Water flossers simplify the task tremendously. All you really need to do is direct the tip of a Waterpik and guide it around each tooth. You don’t even need to rinse afterwards – the jets of water from the Waterpik will take care of the rinsing for you.
Water flossers are gentle on your gums
String floss is abrasive, and if you have sensitive gums or a touch of gingivitis, your instinct is not to irritate them any further. Jets of water are a soothing and effective way to get your flossing done without discomfort.
Waterpiks have been found to reduce the symptoms of gingivitis. They soothe gum inflammation and eliminate the bacteria responsible for gum disease. And given the relationship between periodontitis and diabetes, it’s safe to deduce that water flossing has a profound impact on your overall health and well-being.
Water flossers work for people who have limited mobility
There are lots of patients who experience difficulties with regular flossing if they have conditions that impair the dexterity of their hands. Patients with Parkinson’s disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis may find it painful to use string floss, neglecting dental hygiene. Water flossers are safe and easy for everyone to use.
Waterpiks are ideal for patients with orthodontic braces
Cleaning your teeth when you wear braces is always a challenge, and using string floss can be even trickier. The brackets and wires from orthodontic braces might feel like they’re working against you as you try to maintain your oral health if you use string floss.
Using a water flosser with a tip for orthodontic braces allows you to clean between your teeth, wires, and brackets. Water flossing also makes it easier to flush away any trapped food or debris. And the time saving that water flossers afford makes it quick and simple to keep your teeth clean after every meal.
Give your dental restorations a higher level of care
If you’ve got a dental implant, your dentist may have warned you about developing periimplantitis. While your dental implant is not subject to decay, plaque can still build up around it, and potentially cause an infection. A water flosser can mitigate some of the risks by ensuring you keep your restoration and soft tissue as healthy as possible.
Clean periodontal pockets out more effectively
Periodontitis is a serious condition that needs to be well monitored and managed to stop it from progressing. If you have periodontal pockets, you probably already know that regular flossing can’t penetrate deep enough to clean them out. Water flossing can help you to clear out pathogenic bacteria, and manage periodontitis better. You can get specialised tips for managing periodontitis.
Introduce kids to better oral hygiene practices
Children need to floss too, but their hands aren’t as dexterous, they may be more vulnerable to discomfort, and their tolerance and attention to flossing might be underdeveloped. Water flossing is a gentle safe way to introduce children to the concept of flossing, helping parents to instill good habits from a young age.
A Waterpik is quick and easy to use
For most dentists, “quick and easy” is a golden ticket to dental hygiene. So many patients are pressed for time, or just don’t have the inclination to improve their flossing technique. They want to get brushing and flossing over and done as soon as possible. If they have access to a product that makes oral health quicker and simpler, we know it’s so much more likely that they will actually do it.
To find out more about ‘are water flossers better than string floss” and find out how you can optimise your oral hygiene, please contact us for an appointment: (02) 8806 3799
References
Is Water Flossing Better Than String Flossing?
https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-water-flossing-better-than-string-flossing-4137725
Is it more effective to floss teeth with a water pick or standard dental floss?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/dental-floss/faq-20058112
