A lack of proper oral hygiene can bring about a number of serious problems. From tooth decay to gingivitis and more, taking care of your teeth is incredibly important. It not only impacts your oral health, but poor dental hygiene can also bring about negative impacts to your overall health, including heart health, premature birth in pregnant women, and more.
You know it’s necessary to take good care of your teeth, but how do you know what you should and shouldn’t be doing on a daily basis? Sure, brushing and flossing are a good start, but what if that doesn’t seem to be enough? Many people speak highly of water flossers, also known as water picks, oral irrigators, and dental water jets, but are these something that most dentists recommend? Here at Ideal Dental, we’re committed to providing you with not only the highest quality of dental care, but also the best information about dental hygiene so you can make positive choices for your oral health.
In general, water flossers are a good idea and most dentists do recommend them. However, there is more in play than just using it or not.
Not as a Substitute for Brushing or Flossing
While water flossers can be a great addition or supplement to your current dental hygiene practices, they should not be a substitute for brushing or flossing. They can help maximize your efforts of keeping your teeth clean and have some areas of effectiveness that complement normal brushing and flossing, but they will not clean your teeth well enough on their own.
Water flossers will not remove all the plaque from your teeth, and they can be far more costly than traditional string floss. However, they do have many benefits. They are pretty easy to use and can be great for hard-to-reach areas, like the very backs of your molars. They are great at cleaning away bacteria and food particles from around and under the gumline, and they are great at removing plaque from in between teeth. But again, they are most effective when used in conjunction with twice-daily brushing and flossing.
Technique Is Key
Water flossers, while generally easy to use, do have a bit of a learning curve. They tend to be a little messy, especially at first, and it may take a little while for individuals to figure out their ideal water pressure levels. However, for water flossers to be as effective as possible, users should remember that the techniques they use while cleaning their teeth are hugely important.
Individuals should hold the water flosser at a 90-degree angle to the teeth so that the water shoots straight at them. It is best to start in the back of the mouth and work around to the front and then to the other side to ensure all areas get thoroughly cleaned. Users should also trace their gumlines and aim carefully between each tooth to get as much plaque, bacteria, and food loosened as possible.
Other Considerations
Although water flossers are not meant to be a substitute for brushing or flossing, they can be used as a replacement for traditional flossing in certain situations. If an individual has braces or other dental work that limits the ability to floss thoroughly, a water flosser is a good option. Additionally, if someone has crowns or dental implants where flossing may not be ideal, a water flosser can be used instead. An individual with arthritis or who struggles to maneuver dental floss successfully may find a water flosser easier to use as well.
Talk to Your Dentist
If you’re considering purchasing a water flosser or would like to know how to make the most of your current dental hygiene practices, talk to your dentist. He or she will be happy to give you tips and advice on how to keep your teeth as clean and healthy as possible, regardless of the limitations or obstacles you need to overcome to do so. If you simply wish to add a water flosser to your daily routine but don’t have questions about it, go ahead and do it! It can’t hurt and as long as you utilize the flosser alongside traditional brushing and flossing, you’re sure to see excellent results and improved oral health.
FAQs
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.
Are dental water flossers any good? ›
While it may not work as well as flossing in all cases, a Waterpik can still remove plaque and reduce gum disease. If you have braces, dental implants, or other dental work, a Waterpik may be especially helpful for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
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 a water flosser more effective than dental floss? ›
Results: The majority of the studies favored water flossers over dental floss in plaque reduction. Water flosser was also found to be effective in removing plaque from inaccessible interproximal areas of the tooth surfaces as compared to dental 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.
Can bacteria grow in Waterpik? ›
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.
What is 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.
Can I use 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.
How often should you use a water flosser? ›
Recommended Frequency and Duration of Use: It's generally safe to use a water flosser once or twice a day for two minutes at a time. Correct Technique for Water Flossing: Hold the water flosser tip at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and gums and aim the stream of water directly at the gum line.
Can Waterpik cause gum recession? ›
No, water flossing does not cause gum recession nor damage to teeth or crowns. On the contrary, water flossing aids in flushing debris out of bridges, crowns, implants, braces, and other dental restoration better than brushing and flossing alone which can extend the lifespan of your dental restorations.
To sum it up, daily use helps you maintain a healthy smile. Use your WATERPIK water flosser more often if you need additional cleaning or to treat gum disease as directed by your dental professional.
Do water flossers 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.
What flosser do dentists recommend? ›
Thousands of dental professionals recommend the WATERPIK water flosser to their patients, and they see the difference it makes.
Should you use a Waterpik before or after brushing? ›
Therefore, our recommendation is to consider using your Waterpik water flosser first before brushing your teeth. This will allow the stuck-on debris to dislodge and then you can easily brush the remaining area free of all particles.
Do orthodontists recommend water flossers? ›
An easy and effective way to clean and floss braces and improve gum health is to use a WATERPIK water flosser with the Orthodontic Tip. It is clinically proven more effective than dental floss for people with braces.
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.
Do water flossers make a mess? ›
Generally, it's recommended that you start with the lowest setting. You can also decide the water temperature, which can take some trial and error. Using a Waterpik can sometimes get messy. It's recommended you keep your lips slightly closed to prevent splashing.
