Flossing is one of the most critical steps in oral and dental hygiene. It’s the most effective way to clean between your teeth as it removes food and plaque from these narrow areas.
You’re familiar with regular dental floss, but I often receive questions about using a water flosser. It’s a device that uses water spray to reach in between teeth and clean them. The American Dental Association says water flossers with the ADA Seal of Acceptance can get rid of plaque which helps reduce oral inflammations.
How to Use A Water Flosser
- Start by filling the water flosser container with water.
- Hold the Flosser at 90 degrees to your teeth. Direct the tip of the flossers right between your teeth.
- Turn the flosser on, starting from the back of the mouth, focusing on between your teeth and gum lines.
- Turn the flosser off and spit out excess water.
Is Water Flossing As Good As Traditional Dental Floss?
One benefit of a water flosser is that it can be gentler on gums and periodontal tissue. They are also considered more environmentally friendly, and in some cases, such as braces, crowns, and bridges, water flossers are an excellent option to reach and clean difficult areas.
Water flossers can be an excellent alternative for those who struggle with manual flossing. But, traditional flosses are more convenient than water flossers as they are small and portable. However, most dentists still believe that regular flosses are more effective than water flossers because they allow you to scrape the surfaces of your tooth.
When To Use Water Flossers
We recommend you start using water flosses in these cases:
- If you have trouble using regular dental floss.
- If you have a fixed crown, bridge, or braces.
- If you have dry mouth, sensitive gum, or periodontal diseases.
- If you suffer from arthritis or other syndromes that affect hand movement
If you have more questions, please contact us at 828.631.3283 or schedule an appointment online
Patrick J. Soria, DDS
