Along with daily brushing, it is important to clean between your teeth to remove food particles and bacteria that your toothbrush cannot reach. Neglecting these areas as part of your regular oral hygiene regimen, can lead to gum disease and cavities, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. A Waterpik is a commonly preferred tool that has been clinically proven to remove food particles and bacteria from between the teeth, but it is not without pros and cons.
What is a Waterpik?
A Waterpik, also known as a dental water jet, oral irrigator or water flosser, is an instrument that directs a surge of water at the teeth to help wash away food particles. Though the name Waterpik is a registered brand, the term is often used to describe any instrument that jets water into the teeth to clean them.
How to Use a Waterpik
The most basic way to use a Waterpik, is to use warm water, and start with the lowest setting. Direct the water at the spaces between your teeth. Begin with the back teeth, and work your way to the front. To begin, lean over the sink to avoid a mess. Hold the tip of the pik in one space for about 3-5 seconds, allowing it to pulse and thoroughly cleanse the area, before slowly moving along the gum line of the tooth and onto the next space. You can switch to a higher setting once your gums get used to the water pressure and you perfect the technique.
Pros of Using a Waterpik
- One benefit of using a Waterpik is that the jets of water blast food particles from between the teeth, which makes it a fast and easy way to clean your teeth.
- An oral irrigator is efficient for flushing out bacteria from deep pockets that occur when gums separate from the teeth, therefore; it is often recommended for patients with gum disease. Floss cannot reach these areas.
- People with braces can also benefit from using a Waterpik because the streaming water gets behind the metal wires to help flush out food particles.
- A Waterpik delivers high-pressure water, so it works well for cleaning around implants, crowns and bridges.
- A dental water jet is gentle on the gums, so it is less likely to cause pain and bleeding in individuals with sensitive teeth.
The Waterpik has been clinically proven to provide significant oral health benefits to users, including those with implants, crowns, braces and even diabetes.
Cons of Using a Waterpik
- The main drawback of using a Waterpik is the cost, which can be a bit pricey for most people. The cost for a Waterpik, including replacement heads, averages more than normal floss, and it is recommended that you replace the tips every 3-6 months
- When you first learn to use an oral irrigator, water may spray around, which can make it messy to use until you get the hang of it.
- A dental water jet does not clean plaque from the teeth as well as floss. Floss hugs the tooth and scrapes plaque away, which prevents it from causing tooth decay and gingivitis. A Waterpik just rinses it. Therefore, a Waterpik is not a substitute for flossing.
For patients with orthodontics, heavy restorative work such as crowns and dentures, or patients who have problems flossing routinely, a Waterpik can help keep your teeth clean better than just brushing. For all other patients, if you want to be extra diligent about oral hygiene, consider using both a dental water jet and floss.
Floss first to loosen plaque, and use the jet to flush it away, then follow up with brushing using a fluoride toothpaste. Patients who use the waterpik report less bleeding, firmer gum tissue and more comfortable dental visits.
If you are interested in using a Waterpik and would like to find out more about them, your hygienist can show you some models and explain to you more about how they work, as well as recommend the best model for you.
Please contact Dr. Stephanie Sfiroudisfor a free consultation regarding any questions or concerns about your periodontal health.
FAQs
Cons
- If the cost is an issue, then you may not want to get a Waterpik as a flosser as it will be more expensive initially.
- You can't use it without electricity, thus limiting its mobility. ...
- Plaque, even after it is removed by your dentist or in the shower, sticks to your teeth and can be difficult to remove.
Thousands of dental professionals recommend the WATERPIK water flosser to their patients, and they see the difference it makes. The Waterpik water flosser should be the standard of care for in-between clean. The clinical science behind the effectiveness of biofilm removal is unrivaled.
Can Waterpik reverse periodontal disease? ›
Can a Water Flosser Effectively Fight Periodontal Disease? The simple answer is: maybe. Bear with us; we'll explain why. It depends on your regular oral hygiene routine, how far the periodontal disease has progressed, and whether or not you have any dental implants, braces, gum grafts, or other periodontal treatments.
Can bacteria grow in Waterpik? ›
Don't store your device in areas where there's humidity because mold can grow inside. Please don't leave any liquid residue on the nozzle of your water flosser before storing it away, so bacteria don't grow inside the device.
Is it OK to use a Waterpik everyday? ›
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.
Can you overuse your Waterpik? ›
The only way one can overuse a Waterpik, or any brand of an oral irrigator, is to use it at too high of a pressure which can bruise the gums. Chronic bruising of the gums can cause the gums to recede, to try to get away from the offending pressure.
Is a Waterpik strong enough to remove plaque? ›
Conclusion: The Waterpik Water Flosser and manual toothbrush is significantly more effective than a manual brush and string floss in removing plaque from tooth surfaces.
Is it better to floss or use a Waterpik? ›
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. Instead, most dentists recommend using a Waterpik as a complement to flossing.
Should you use a Waterpik if you have receding gums? ›
Everyday we recommend a Waterpik or Shower Floss to our patients. If you've had gum recession or gum disease either type of oral irrigator will help prevent further bone loss.
Can I damage my gums with a Waterpik? ›
With the right technique and pressure setting, the chances of a water flosser causing damage to the gums are minimal. But as always, it's essential to listen to your body. It might be time to consult a dentist if you experience discomfort or if your gums bleed consistently.
Pros of Using a Waterpik
An oral irrigator is efficient for flushing out bacteria from deep pockets that occur when gums separate from the teeth, therefore; it is often recommended for patients with gum disease.
What toothpaste reverses periodontal disease? ›
parodontax is Clinically Proven to Help Improve Gum Health
If you're noticing a little bit of blood when you brush, it could be an early sign of gum disease. Learn how parodontax toothpaste can help prevent bleeding gums when used twice daily.
Is it OK to put Listerine in your 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.
Can Waterpik push bacteria deeper? ›
Research shows that the water flosser does not push bacteria into the periodontal pocket; in fact, the reverse is true. The water flosser removes bacteria from the pocket. Several studies have shown the reduction of bacteria from the periodontal pocket following irrigation with a water flosser.
What is the black stuff coming out of my Waterpik? ›
It may be the wintertime and mold may grow more easily in a bathroom that is more humid but there was probably a teaspoon of filthy moldy dark material that came out of the unit. I used a small brush and went up into the handle and more came out.
Is it better to use a Waterpik or 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. Instead, most dentists recommend using a Waterpik as a complement to flossing.
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.
Can a Waterpik loosen crowns? ›
While in your temporary crown, we recommend the use of a Waterpik®, rather than floss thread, as flossing can cause the loosening of the crown. Once you've received your permanent crown you can floss normally.
Can a Waterpik get plaque off? ›
Conclusion: The Waterpik Water Flosser and manual toothbrush is significantly more effective than a manual brush and string floss in removing plaque from tooth surfaces.
