Water Flossing: Everything You Need To Know - Century Dental (2024)

Brushing your teeth twice daily is a good start to maintaining good oral health. However, you might not reach some areas of the mouth by just brushing, making interdental brushing an essential part of dental health. It removes food particles and plaque between your teeth. But did you know that flossing isn’t the only way to clean between your teeth?

Water flossing is slowly becoming a popular way to clean between teeth. Here’s why you should check it out.

What is Water Flossing?

Water flossers work the same way as traditional floss to remove food between teeth. The only difference is this handheld device uses steady pulses to spray water.

Water flossers with the ADA Seal of Acceptance have been proven safe and effective in removing plaque, the sticky film coating your teeth that increases your risk of gum disease and cavities. You can also check water flosser reviews online to see what others think of it and if they have any negative experiences using their water flosser.

Water flossers are a great option for people who struggle to use traditional floss and those with dental work like braces or dental bridges.

Types of Water Flossers

There are generally four types of water flosser available on the market, including:

Countertop

Countertop water flossers are the heaviest and bulkiest type of water flossers around. They plug into an electrical outlet and sit on your countertop. They also have an irrigation tank that you need to refill.

Faucet Flosser

Faucet flossers are the most popular type of water flossers. They are similar to shower flossers but have a cord that attaches directly to your water basins. They are, however, difficult to maneuver.

Cordless or Battery-operated

Cordless and battery-operated flossers are typically small, lightweight, and easy to transport. They are ideal for travelers and offer the greatest flexibility. However, they may not be as strong as their countertop counterparts.

Shower Flosser

Shower flossers attach directly to your shower head so you can floss after or before you shower. They don’t need electricity or batteries; you can use them without refilling them. However, they are more difficult to use than other water flosser types.

You may be wondering about the difference between Waterpik and water flosser. Waterpik is one of many water flosser brands available in the market.

Why Use A Water Flosser

Water flossing is not meant to replace regular brushing and flossing, but it’s a great addition to your daily oral hygiene routine. A water flosser is also useful in situations like:

Food Frequently Stuck Between Teeth

Some people are more vulnerable to food getting stuck between their teeth. It could be due to the shape or alignment of their teeth or dental work like bridges or implants. Water flossers can clean these problematic areas and can eliminate plaque.

Brace Maintenance

Food can easily get caught behind the wires and brackets of braces. Water flossers can reach these places and prevent plaque accumulation, gum disease, and other dental problems. Ask your dentist or orthodontist for their recommendations on water flossers for braces.

Bleeding Gums

Your gums may bleed for several reasons. Gum disease is the leading cause of bleeding. A bacterial infection of your gums can lead to tooth loss if you leave it untreated. Your gums may also bleed if you over-floss. Oral irrigators are a great way of cleaning problem areas without the risk of over-flossing.

Dry Mouth

Saliva naturally cleans your teeth and prevents plaque buildup. However, some people can’t produce enough saliva due to their genetics or medications, which could result in gum disease or cavities. Adding moisture and removing sticky plaque are just some benefits of water flossingfor people with dry mouths.

How To Use a Water Flosser

You can use a water flosser before you brush and floss to loosen any leftover food remnants and make it easier to use string floss later. You can also use it after brushing to remove any food particles in hard-to-reach places.

Here’s how you use a water flosser at home:

  1. Find a source of water. You can connect your water flosser to the faucet or fill its reservoir with lukewarm water.
  2. Place your water flosser’s nozzle in your mouth, then start with your molars. Work your way down while pointing the irrigator away from your gums and teeth. Lean over the sink to avoid getting your countertop wet.
  3. Select your pressure setting of choice, then turn it on. There will either be an on-button or a dial that you can use to adjust the water pressure. Start at the lowest setting, then work your way up until you reach the pressure that’s high enough and comfortable. You can close your lips to avoid splashing your countertop, but make sure you can still drain the water into the sink.
  4. Direct the water at your gum line and between each tooth. Aim for the tops of your teeth, the baseline of your gums, and the spaces between each tooth. Direct the water to your teeth for two seconds and repeat on the inside and outside of your teeth. Continue until you’re finished with your whole mouth.
  5. Empty the reservoir when you’re done; stale water can lead to bacterial growth.
  6. Clean your device.

Is Water Flossing Effective?

Water flossers rely on the movement of water to clean your teeth. Research published in Dentistry Journal shows that it can effectively remove plaque and bacteria while gently cleaning the gum line. However, it’s not as effective as traditional flossing.

Good oral hygiene includes interdental cleaning at least once a day and brushing twice daily. Your dental hygienist can help you determine the best way to clean your teeth and ensure your healthy smile. If traditional floss is too difficult, you may opt for water flossers.

Key Takeaway

Water flossers are a great addition to your oral care routine. They come in different types and are helpful for people who find string floss difficult to use and reach hard-to-reach places in your mouth to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. However, they may not be as effective at removing plaque between teeth as traditional flossing; they are better additives than replacements.

Take your oral care to the next level with Century Dental.

Aside from advice on finding the best water flosser, ourdentist in St. Pete Beach, FL, provides general dentistry services that keep your teeth and gums healthy. Call us today, and we’ll gladly help you with any questions or inquiries you may have about water flossing and more.

Water Flossing: Everything You Need To Know - Century Dental (2024)

FAQs

Do dentists actually recommend water flossers? ›

Dentists generally recommend water flossers as an effective way to remove plaque and keep teeth healthy. Water flossers are especially beneficial for those wearing fixed dental appliances like bridges, permanent retainers, and braces.

What is the advice on a water flosser? ›

A water flosser doesn't replace your toothbrush or traditional flossing. You still need to brush your teeth twice a day, but you can use the water flosser before or after. Fill your water flosser's reservoir with lukewarm water, then put the flosser tip in your mouth. Lean over the sink to avoid a mess.

What are the disadvantages of using a Waterpik? ›

The rinsing action of Waterpiks may not be enough to remove plaque completely from the surface of your teeth. Some people like to use string floss first to scrape off and loosen plaque. A Waterpik can then be used to efficiently rinse out residue and plaque left behind.

Is it better to use Waterpik in the morning or at night? ›

Since flossing daily is recommended, using a WaterPik daily is also encouraged. Although you can use it in the morning, night usage is ideal. This is because typically, you'll go the longest without food or drink overnight. You've already had all your meals for the day and can end the day with perfectly clean teeth.

Can bacteria grow in Waterpik? ›

Keeping the tool clean aids in the removal of potentially harmful particles such as spores, bacteria, and mycotoxins, as well as potential food sources such as organic matter and mineral buildup.It also helps ensure that the machine continues to work properly; a malfunctioning waterpik is an open door for retaining ...

Which is better, Waterpik or water flosser? ›

You may have heard the term “water flosser” before, but have you hear the term Waterpik? If so, you may have wondered what the difference is between the two. The truth is there is no difference.

Can water flossing replace regular flossing? ›

While water flossers do a great job of removing food particles and rinsing away plaque by shooting a stream of water between your teeth, they cannot replicate the scraping motion of string floss that removes tartar-causing plaque that can eventually cause gum disease.

Should you use a Waterpik before or after brushing? ›

We recommend using the water flosser prior to toothbrushing: Removing food and debris enhances the effectiveness of both toothbrushing and toothpaste. Instructing patients to use it first improves compliance. Seeing the food and debris that the water flosser removes can help motivate your patient to Water Floss daily.

What not to do with a Waterpik? ›

Should a Waterpik Touch Your Teeth? The water flosser shouldn't touch your teeth or your gums directly. Hold the water flosser away from your teeth and let the water do the work.

Can a Waterpik cause receding gums? ›

While water flossers are generally considered safe for most people, there is some evidence to suggest that overuse or incorrect use can lead to gum damage. On the other hand, water flossers have been shown to improve gum health by removing plaque and reducing the risk of gum disease.

Can Waterpik remove tartar? ›

Water flossing can be an effective tool for maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing the buildup of tartar. However, a water flosser may not remove existing tartar once it has formed. Using a water flosser can aid in tartar prevention, but it's not a substitute for professional dental cleanings.

Do you use warm or cold water in a Waterpik? ›

We recommend that you use warm water because it is seen to be the most effective. However, if you wish to use mouthwash, mix a small amount with warm water and use.

Can I put Listerine in my Waterpik? ›

Can I use mouthwash or other additives in a WATERPIK water flosser? Yes, although all you need for effectiveness is warm water, there are additives including certain types of mouthwash that are safe to use.

Do I still need to floss if I use a Waterpik? ›

A Waterpik can help you to keep your gums clean and avoid Gingivitis as well as Gum Disease but it can't prevent cavities between your teeth the way that flossing can. If you had to choose only 1 tool, you'd be best off going with the floss.

Do I really need a water flosser? ›

If you use standard dental floss, and you don't have bleeding or other problems, there's no need to change. Using a water flosser can be helpful for people who have braces, other orthodontics or dental work that makes it hard to use standard dental floss.

Is water flossing as good as regular flossing? ›

Using a Waterpik is not better than normal flossing. In fact, most dentists consider it to be inferior to flossing with dental floss. A Waterpik cannot offer the same level of cleaning, since the stream of water creates no friction that can loosen hard-to-reach pieces of food and other debris.

Do hygienists recommend water flosser? ›

Water flossers are a great recommendation for most patients, particularly those who can't floss properly or are noncompliant with flossing. There is plenty of research supporting the safety and effectiveness of water flossers, and hygienists should recommend these products to patients on a routine basis.

Are water flossers ineffective? ›

These results showed no significant difference in removing plaque with a Waterpik and regular floss. A similar study between the Waterpik and waxed string floss showed even more promising results. Subjects that used a Waterpik had a 74.4% reduction in whole mouth plaque, and string floss had a 57.7% reduction.

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