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
Flossing involves threading a thin string of nylon or Teflon between teeth in a C-shape pattern to remove plaque. A water flosser, also known as an oral irrigator, works by shooting out a thin, pressurized stream of water between teeth. Some may find a water flosser is easier to use than traditional floss.
Can a Waterpik replace traditional flossing? ›
However, it's important to recognize that a Waterpik is not intended to replace your daily flossing. Instead, it should be used to improve your flossing routine, allowing deeper cleaning and gingivitis prevention. Water flossers cannot clean as closely as traditional floss.
Which flossing method is better? ›
According to the ADA, the best way to floss is to use devices designed for cleaning teeth, such as string floss and water flossers, for disease prevention and oral health.
Do dentists recommend water floss? ›
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.
What are the disadvantages of a water flosser? ›
I recommend hand flossing first to get the food debris out, then brushing to remove stain and plaque, and then water flossing to finish the clean.” Other disadvantages include: A water flosser may not remove all plaque from the surface of the teeth. It costs more than string floss.
Do I still need to floss 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.
Is water flossing as good as normal 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. The ADA recommends brushing twice a day and cleaning in between your teeth once a day.
What is the healthiest way to floss your teeth? ›
“Traditional string floss [versus a floss pick] is the best way to floss your teeth and will result in clean and healthy teeth and gums,” Dr. Palmer says. Keep it simple. “Wrap floss around middle fingers, and use your forefinger and thumb to have more control close to the tooth,” explains Dr.
Is flossing no longer recommended? ›
Still unsure about flossing? While there may be limited evidence to support the benefits of flossing, there are no studies to show that flossing is bad for your teeth. In our practice, we find almost 80% of damage from gum disease occurs in between the teeth, where a toothbrush can't reach.
Is it better to floss first before brushing? ›
The short answer: It does. While it may be surprising, a study has found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque than brushing first, flossing second. In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth.
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. They are especially beneficial for patients wearing fixed dental appliances like bridges, permanent retainers, and braces.
Does water flossing count as 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.
Is a Waterpik better or worse than flossing? ›
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.
Can Waterpik cause gum recession? ›
While water flossers are generally considered safe for most people, there is some evidence to suggest that overuse or incorrect use can lead to gum damage. On the other hand, water flossers have been shown to improve gum health by removing plaque and reducing the risk of gum disease.
Why not to use Waterpik? ›
Cons of Using a Waterpik
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.
Is it better to floss with water or string? ›
On the whole, the American Dental Hygienists' Association recommends water flossing over string dental flossing. It cites studies showing water flossers are effective at removing plaque and reducing gingival bleeding more than string flossing does.
How much better is a Waterpik than flossing? ›
Many people like the control that comes with manual flossing, while others prefer the deep clean and fresh feel of using a water flosser. Research shows there's little difference between the level of plaque removal with these methods, so it all comes down to your budget and your preferences.
Are dental flossers as effective as regular floss? ›
While it's better to floss with a floss pick than to not floss at all, it's important to note that floss picks can only clean a part of the tooth's surface. Doctor Theuer recommends traditional floss or dental tape. Here's why: A floss pick holds just a small length of floss stretched in a straight line.
Can you replace flossing with a Waterpik with braces? ›
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.
Can water flosser replace interdental brush? ›
Conclusions: The Waterpik Water Flosser and manual toothbrush removes significantly more plaque from tooth surfaces (whole mouth, marginal, approximal, facial, and lingual) than interdental brushes and a manual toothbrush after a single use.
