The Great Flossing Debate
As part of good oral hygiene, flossing helps clean between teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Regular flossing removes plaque and food debris to prevent tooth decay and gum disease from occurring. But which method of flossing should you choose — traditional floss or a water flosser? In this blog post from your friends at Braces Template, we’ll compare the two flossing methods to help you decide which option may be right for maintaining your oral health.
At Braces Template, Dr. Dr. John R. Jones and our skilled dental team provide tips and recommendations on establishing effective flossing habits for better oral hygiene. Call 800.123.1234 to learn more and schedule an appointment.
What Is Flossing and Why Do We Need It?
Flossing helps dislodge sticky plaque buildup and food debris from between teeth and just below the gumline. If left alone, this debris can cause tooth decay and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) — which can lead to chronic periodontitis.
By flossing daily, you greatly reduce your risk of developing gum disease and cavities between the teeth — some of the most difficult areas to treat and restore. Simply put, flossing daily provides immense preventative dental health benefits.
How to Use Traditional Floss
Traditional floss comes in unwaxed strands of nylon or bundles of ultra-thin wax-coated fibers. If you’re unsure how to floss correctly, follow these steps:
- Use an 18-inch length of floss wrapped around middle fingers with about one to two inches stretched between hands.
- Gently slide it down between two teeth, careful not to forcefully snap it down to avoid cutting gums.
- Make a C-shape wrapping floss around the base of the tooth and scrubbing up and down and back-and-forth along the adjacent tooth surface.
- Repeat for all tooth contacts, unwrapping new sections of floss as you progress.
If you have any questions about flossing, please don’t hesitate to ask our team at Braces Template.
Benefits of Traditional Floss
Many dentists and dental hygienists have recommended traditional string floss for decades. But what makes it special? Traditional floss offers many benefits, including:
- Precise Cleaning: Traditional flossing allows for precise targeting between teeth and along the gumline, ensuring thorough removal of plaque and debris.
- Portability and Accessibility: Traditional floss is compact, portable, and doesn’t require electricity. It’s readily accessible, making it convenient for use at home or while traveling.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Traditional floss is an economical option. It offers an effective means of interdental cleaning without the need for additional equipment.
- Ease of Use: Flossing with traditional dental floss is straightforward and doesn’t involve a learning curve. It’s user-friendly for people of all ages, including those with orthodontic appliances.
Introducing Water Flossers
Water flossers, or oral irrigators, use pressurized streams of water pulses directed via a small tip placed in the mouth to blast away debris between teeth. Countertop models connect to your faucet and contain replaceable water reservoirs. Additionally, cordless models are entirely self-contained and waterproof for use in the shower if desired! The tip is gently moved along the gumline while aiming the pulsing streams of water to rinse the crevice between tooth and gum.
Water Flossing Benefits
Water flossing provides benefits that make it a convenient and effective choice for maintaining optimal dental health, such as:
- Gentle on Gums: Water flossers provide a gentle and comfortable alternative, making them ideal for individuals with sensitive gums or orthodontic appliances.
- Efficient Plaque Removal: The pulsating water jet effectively removes plaque and debris from between teeth and below the gumline, promoting comprehensive oral cleanliness.
- Reduced Mess: Water flossers minimize the mess associated with traditional flossing. There’s no need for string manipulation, reducing the likelihood of bleeding or irritation.
- Enhanced Convenience: Water flossers offer ease of use, particularly for those with dexterity challenges. The adjustable settings cater to individual preferences for a customized flossing experience.
- Versatility and Reach: With various nozzle attachments, water flossers can reach areas that traditional floss might struggle with. This versatility ensures a more thorough and adaptable interdental cleaning routine.
What’s The Verdict?
For optimal oral health, employing traditional floss and water flossing as part of your routine provides superior coverage. The easy use of portable floss picks makes it realistic to floss manually at least a few times weekly even when life gets busy. Add in water flossing on most other days, and your gum health will likely improve from the decreased inflammation. Your smile will shine brighter thanks to minimizing plaque buildup in those hard-to-reach spots!
Keeping up with a flossing routine isn’t always easy. But taking the time to properly floss your teeth every day pays dividends for your short-term and long-term dental health. Your smile will thank you!
Take Control of Your Oral Health!
Ready to elevate your oral care routine? Choose the flossing method that suits your lifestyle best. Whether it’s the precision of traditional floss or the convenience of water flossing, take a step towards a healthier, brighter smile today! Schedule your appointment with Dr. Dr. John R. Jones at Braces Template by calling 800.123.1234 today!
FAQs
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.
Is water flossing as effective as traditional flossing? ›
Is Water Flossing as Good as Dental Floss? 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.
Does water flossing work as well? ›
Numerous studies from the last 50 years suggest that water flossers are more effective at removing biofilm from tooth surfaces and bacteria from periodontal pockets than string floss and manual toothbrushing, together or separately.
What do dentists think of water flossing? ›
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.
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.
Can water flossing replace flossing? ›
Research has shown that there's minimal difference in plaque removal between using floss versus a Waterpik. Both Waterpiks and flossing are good ways to take care of your teeth and gums along with brushing.
Does the ADA recommend water flossing? ›
The ADA recommends that water flossers be used in addition to regular flossing, not as a replacement. Water flossers are effective at removing plaque and preventing cavities and gum disease.
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.
Can I stop flossing if I use a Waterpik? ›
A Waterpik Shouldn't Replace Brushing or Flossing
Waterpiks can't remove plaque or stuck-on debris, so it's important to continue to floss and receive professional cleanings regularly. Using a Waterpik while continuing to practice good oral care can help you to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
Can Waterpik 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.
Water flossers will not remove all the plaque from your teeth, and they can be far more costly than traditional string floss.
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.
Is flossing with a Waterpik enough? ›
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.
Is water flossing just as effective? ›
The results of this research showed that water flosser was as efficient as regular floss in removing interdental plaque on single use.
Is it okay to water floss everyday? ›
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.
Why does water flossing feel so good? ›
Flossing Shouldn't Hurt Your Gums
String flossing can be painful -- If you use too much force or the space between your teeth is tight, string floss can snap and cut into your gum tissue. Water flossing is more comfortable -- When you use the water flosser, the pulsating warm water has a soothing effect on the gums.
Is water flossing better than air flossing? ›
The study found that: The water flosser was 80% more effective for gingivitis reduction than air floss. The water flosser was 70% more effective for plaque reduction. The water flosser was 2X as effective for plaque removal from lingual surfaces and 3X as effective at the gingival margin than air floss.
What is the healthiest way to floss your teeth? ›
“Make a C-shape to hug the side of the tooth, and move floss up and down five times, going slightly below the gums. Then make the C-shape around the adjacent tooth up and down to clean the side surface of that tooth before pulling the floss out and moving to the next tooth.” Keep it simple.
Which flossing method is better? ›
Traditional Method Dental Floss
While both options are equally effective in removing tooth debris, waxed floss is less likely to shred and is easier to slide between teeth, plus the texture of the wax makes it easier for food slide out from those tiny cracks.
Am I water flossing correctly? ›
Make sure the pressure is high but comfortable. You can close your lips to prevent the water splashing but be sure to allow the water to drain out into the sink. Follow gum line — Going tooth-by-tooth, direct the water at your gum line and areas between teeth.
