If you’re anything like me, you probably get convicted about your need to floss more every time you go to the dentist for your bi-yearly cleaning and your gums start spurting out blood. It’s not that you never floss. It’s just that you don’t floss enough. After every cleaning, many of us go on a flossing kick for a few weeks and then fall back into old habits. In the morning when you’re getting ready, it seems impossible to squeeze in those few extra minutes, while before bed, you’re simply too tired to remember. If flossing isn’t second nature, you may want to consider water flossing. I did, and I’m never turning back to string floss.
Flossing is an essential part of your daily oral care routine. Brushing merely removes the surface plaque and buildup from your teeth and does nothing for the food that gets wedged between your teeth. When you don’t floss, you are inviting damaging bacteria to come and hang out in your mouth, which can lead to gum disease and infection. However, floss can often be tricky to maneuver, especially for people that have to work around braces or those with arthritis. Here are our favorite reasons to switch to water flossing today.
Cleans more thoroughly
Think about it, what happens to all that food and debris that comes out of your mouth when you floss? Unless you use a mouthwash or rinse your mouth out with water, it ends up staying in your mouth. Water flossing uses a concentrated stream of water to powerwash your gums and cleanse your entire mouth.
It is less painful
If you are using string floss properly, it shouldn’t be painful. However, many people press too hard and end up damaging their delicate gums. Water flossers, when used on the proper setting, are totally painless and will often cause less gum bleeding than string floss.
Works around orthodontic appliances
Retainers, braces, crowns, bridges, and dental implants can become serious roadblocks when you are trying to keep your teeth clean. Yes, you can use floss; however, it is often difficult to work around the hardware, and you end up getting a subpar cleaning. A water flosser has no such limitations and can go where you wouldn’t be able to take a regular piece of floss.
Is easy to use
Once you get over the initial learning curve, you should be able to floss your teeth with water in under a minute. Sometimes string flossing can take twice as long! Plus, you don’t have to worry about buying refills or replacements. Once you purchase the water flosser, it should last for years, and all you need is water. It is efficient, and having the device in plain sight will help remind you to use it.
Reduces oral health issues
Studies have shown that regular flossing with water can reduce inflammatory gum disease, gingivitis, and various other dental problems. Because it uses water pressure to remove buildup and bacteria from the gum line, your mouth will stay cleaner and healthier.
Always buy a water flosser that has been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA)
According to the ADA: “Water flossers that have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance have been tested to be safe and effective at removing a sticky film called plaque, which puts you at a higher risk for cavities and gum disease. Water flossers with the ADA Seal can also help reduce gingivitis, the early form of gum disease, throughout your mouth and between your teeth.”
Before you buy a water flosser, keep in mind that it is a decent investment upfront and you will need to have somewhere to store it since the device takes up quite a bit of counter space. If you travel a lot or live in a small apartment, you may want to consider a portable water flosser.
How to maintain oral health:
- Brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice per day
- Floss or use a water flosser at least once a day – You can also use both for an even more thorough clean
- Go to the dentist twice per year for regular checkups and cleanings
- Stop eating sugary foods such as candy and soda that damage your teeth
- Avoid using tobacco
Have you ever tried a water flosser? Let us know in the comments below!
-Susan Patterson
FAQs
Daily water flossing can effectively alleviate gingival inflammation and reduce oral malodor, possibly by depleting oral anaerobes and altering the oral microbiota to a more aerobic phenotype.
What are the results of water flossing? ›
Daily water flossing can effectively alleviate gingival inflammation and reduce oral malodor, possibly by depleting oral anaerobes and altering the oral microbiota to a more aerobic phenotype.
What do dentist say about water flossing? ›
It should be used once a day before brushing, and research suggests that adding it to your routine can improve dental hygiene significantly. Routine water flossing (in addition to regular brushing) can reduce plaque and gum bleeding, making it an effective tool for preventing cavities and gum disease.
Should you use a water flosser every day? ›
In conclusion, using a water flosser every day can be a safe and effective way to improve oral hygiene. However, it's important to consider individual needs and preferences, gum sensitivity and health, and the presence of dental work or orthodontics before incorporating a daily water flossing routine.
What are three benefits of flossing every day? ›
By removing food particles and preventing plaque from building up, flossing each day may reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing can also prevent food from decaying between your teeth which, in turn, may help prevent bad breath.
Why is water flossing better? ›
To Clean Periodontal (Gum) Pockets
In turn, they're more prone to relapse and chronic gum disease, including tooth loss. The stream of water from a water flosser can reach down into gum pockets as deep as 7mm or more, targeting bacterial colonies that would otherwise go undisturbed.
What are the benefits of a Waterpik? ›
Just brushing can not reach efficiently in between the teeth to remove the buildup of bacteria. The longer these zones go uncleaned the more likely it is that the gums will get infected. A Waterpik removes plaque better than any other dental floss because it combines water pressure with power pulses.
Why don't dentists recommend Waterpik? ›
The American Dental Association says water flossers with the ADA Seal of Acceptance can get rid of plaque. That's the film that turns into tartar and leads to cavities and gum disease. But some studies find water flossers don't remove plaque as well as traditional floss.
What is the disadvantage of water floss? ›
Perhaps the main disadvantage of a water flosser is the cost. A Waterpik can be expensive to purchase and will need space to be stored. It requires access to electricity and water, making it difficult to use outside of the home or while traveling if you do not choose a cordless option.
What's the difference between a Waterpik and a water flosser? ›
The truth is there is no difference. A Waterpik is simply a brand of water flosser that has become so well known that the name of the company and the product itself have become synonymous. So now you know that a Waterpik is simply a type of water flosser, but what do these dental devices actually do?
Because water flosser heads touch your mouth and stay wet, oral bacteria can grow on it. Even despite following the provided cleaning recommendations. That's not all, this study limited itself to studying only the nozzle, not the hose or water reservoir itself.
Can you overuse a Waterpik? ›
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.
How long should a Waterpik last? ›
Regularly replacing your water flosser and its tips is crucial for maintaining optimal oral health. Generally, tips should be replaced every 3 months, while the flosser unit itself typically lasts between 12 to 24 months, depending on usage and other factors.
Can dentists tell if you floss? ›
They think they can pull a fast one on us, but here's a little secret: dentists can tell when you've been flossing and when you haven't. The way we can tell if you're not flossing is if your gums are bleeding. Although there are other, less common conditions that can make your gums bleed, gingivitis is the main cause.
Can you over floss your gums? ›
Over time, excessive flossing can cause gum recession or tooth damage due to constant pressure applied onto sensitive areas of the mouth. Regular visits will make sure that these issues are handled properly and promptly.
Is flossing no longer recommended? ›
Still unsure about flossing? While there may be limited evidence to support the benefits of flossing, there are no studies to show that flossing is bad for your teeth. In our practice, we find almost 80% of damage from gum disease occurs in between the teeth, where a toothbrush can't reach.
Is flossing with a Waterpik effective? ›
Let's clear up a misconception. Using a Waterpik is not better than normal flossing. In fact, most dentists consider it to be inferior to flossing with dental floss.
What are the disadvantages of a water flosser? ›
I recommend hand flossing first to get the food debris out, then brushing to remove stain and plaque, and then water flossing to finish the clean.” Other disadvantages include: A water flosser may not remove all plaque from the surface of the teeth. It costs more than string floss.
Does water flossing whiten teeth? ›
Water flossers play a vital role in this regard. They help remove surface stains and prevent the buildup of new stains, preserving the whiteness of the teeth. Regular use of a water flosser in conjunction with brushing and professional cleanings can help extend the longevity of a whitened smile.
