We all know how important flossing is. Most dentists will recommend flossing at least once per day to help curb plaque and fight gingivitis. Dentists still recommend manually flossing with string, but there are many water flossers such as the Waterpik that claim to be much more efficient at keeping teeth and gums healthy.
What is A Waterpik?
A Waterpik is a water flosser that can remove up to 99.9% of plaque and can be up to 2 times as effective at flossing implants than string. Waterpik compared to floss is also 3 times as effective for people with braces.
A water flosser is a dental appliance that can be used at home to clean teeth and gums. Water flossers use a motorized tool to flush the teeth and gums with water using a pressurized spraying attachment. The targeted water stream blasts away plaque, food, and bacteria trapped in between teeth. The Waterpik comes with its own water reservoir that can set on top of your bathroom sink.
Pros and Cons of Waterpik
One of the major pros of Waterpik is that it is a much more hygienic way of flossing because you do not have to put your hands or fingers in your mouth. The water flosser is used by putting the flosser in your mouth, closing your lips and leaning over the sink. You will leave your mouth slightly open so that the water can drain from your mouth. This can be a negative because the process can sometimes be messy. Waterpiks are also electric and must be plugged in to operate so an outlet at your sink is essential.
Pros and Cons of String Floss
String floss uses a scraping motion to remove the plaque and food particles that can get stuck between teeth. When plaque isn't removed, it can cause tarter that leads to gum disease. One of the best pros of string floss is how cheap it is. $1 for many brands compared to a water flosser that can cost anywhere from $30 to over $100. String floss is also easier to store and use. You don’t have to worry about being near electric outlets and you can use string floss anywhere, even on your lunch break in the office bathroom.
Which is Best?
Dentist opinions vary on whether the waterpik, and other water flossers can be just as effective at ridding your mouth of plaque as string. Most dentists recommend still using a manual string floss at least once per day because while the waterpik is great at removing food particles, the scraping motion of string floss is what removes plaque that is stuck on teeth.
Still have questions for your general dentist in Indianapolis, IN? Please call our office today at (317) 358-8885.