The string floss can remove larger debris, while water flossing removes fine particles and bacteria. Of course, those who don't use string floss regularly or at all should at least use water flossing for good oral health.
On the whole, the American Dental Hygienists' Association recommends water flossing over string dental flossing. It cites studies showing water flossers are effective at removing plaque and reducing gingival bleeding more than string flossing does.
Unfortunately, they DO NOT remove plaque (bacterial colonies) like floss does because effective flossing literally “wipes” the sticky plaque off teeth and Waterpiks can only “rinse” these areas. However, combining both flossing and Waterpiks can achieve great results!
Although water picks can be a great addition to your dental health routine, they shouldn't actually replace string flossing. At Barron Family Dental, we like to emphasize that traditional string flossing is still an important aspect of your oral hygiene, whether or not you choose to combine it with a water pick.
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.
“It's so important to floss because that process removes bacteria colonies from teeth and gums. The Waterpik or Water Flossers simply rinse these areas. Ideally, patients should use both.”
3. Can a Water Flosser damage teeth or gums? Though some may find that their gums bleed when they first use one, a Water Flosser does not damage teeth or gums.
String floss cleans more effectively than picks because you can move it to make that all-important “C” shape that gets up close to the gum line. String floss also allows you to use a fresh section for each tooth. The small section of sting in floss picks is not well-suited for continued use on every tooth.
Should my patients use the Water Flosser 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.
Flossing involves threading a thin string of nylon or Teflon between teeth in a C-shape pattern to remove plaque. A water flosser, also known as an oral irrigator, works by shooting out a thin, pressurized stream of water between teeth. Some may find a water flosser is easier to use than traditional floss.
How many times per day should I use my Water Flosser? You should use your Waterpik® Water Flosser at least once per day. Why? To maintain good oral health, the American Dental Association recommends that you floss at least once per day and brush your teeth at least twice per day.
If so, you may have wondered what the difference is between the two. 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.
The best way to remove the build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth is by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Daily flossing and using an antiseptic mouthwash will help to keep bacteria at bay in hard-to-reach areas.
So, Can Water Flossers Remove Tartar? Now, let's answer the million-dollar question: no, water flossers can't remove tartar. Not even regular flossing can remove tartar. Professional cleanings are the only way to remove tartar before it can damage your teeth or lead to infection.
The waxed variety of dental floss tends to glide through the teeth better. Waxed floss is less likely to get stuck between the teeth or get caught on rough edges. It also doesn't fray or break as quickly as unwaxed dental floss.
Of course, dental floss has some drawbacks. Some parts of the mouth are tough to reach, minor bleeding might occur if home flossing is not done correctly or on a regular basis, and it can induce gum sensitivity or make it work if home flossing is not done appropriately.
For example, if you use your Waterpik more often than recommended by your dentist, or if you use a high-pressure setting in sensitive areas in the hopes of cleaning your teeth better, you could end up causing some harm.
Although you may choose to do it in the morning or afternoon, many prefer to floss at night to prevent food and debris from remaining in the crevices of the teeth overnight. This could prevent the build-up of plaque too, which is a cause of tooth decay.
You Can Use a Waterpik Every Day
You can safely use a Waterpik as often as you like, it will only help to improve your oral care. If you have gum disease or have trouble brushing or flossing, your dentist may even recommend that you use a Waterpik more often than once per day.
Generally, when bleeding occurs while using floss or Waterpiks, it results from tartar and bacteria build-up or improper technique. It may seem odd that your cleaning method will cause bleeding when fighting tartar and bacteria effectively. However, flossing and Waterpiks often reach areas that toothbrushes can not.
Brushing your teeth roughly negatively impacts your oral health. Similar to brushing too hard if you floss to hard you can also inadvertently contribute to developing gum recession. When you floss too aggressively you can accidentally cut into the gum tissue and this will then cause the gums to overtime recede.
The WaterPik is very effective, and actually even more effective than string floss, at reducing gingivitis, reducing gingival bleeding, and removing plaque. It also can clean deeper into periodontal pockets than floss can.
After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste. Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects.