A water flosser is a device that cleans your teeth by providing a pressurized stream of water. Using the water flosser, you can aim the spout at your gumline, between teeth, and around hard-to-reach molars. The water flosser works to remove food particles and plaque buildup that can lead to gum disease.
While a water flosser does a thorough job cleaning your mouth of bacteria, it’s not a replacement for regular string floss or brushing your teeth. If you’re considering investing in a water flosser, keep reading as Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry explains the advantages and disadvantages of water flossing.
The Advantages of a Water Flosser
Flossing is an oral hygiene task that most people know they should be doing every day — but that doesn’t usually happen. With a water flosser, you can rest easy knowing you have a tool that is going to do all the heavy lifting for you. Here are a few of the reasons why incorporating a water flosser into your oral hygiene routine can be extremely beneficial.
- Easy to Use – When it comes to flossing your teeth, you need something that is going to help you easily get the job done. While a water flosser might appear to be complex at first, it’s as simple as giving it water, pointing and aiming, and cleaning your teeth.
- Reaches Back Teeth – When using string dental floss, maneuvering your hands at the right angle can be quite difficult — especially when trying to reach your molars. The water floss offers a long spout that makes your molars accessible from all sides.
- Cleans Tight Spaces – If you have crowded or tightly spaced teeth, a water flosser is a great option to clean out the small crevices. By removing debris stuck between your teeth, you’re helping to prevent gum disease and bad breath.
The Disadvantages of a Water Flosser
While a water flosser can be a more entertaining way to include flossing in your nightly bathroom routine, it isn’t a be-all and end-all cleaning process. To ensure you’re doing everything in your power to reduce gum disease, water flossing isn’t a replacement for string flossing and brushing your teeth. You must understand the disadvantages associated with water flossing:
- Plaque Buildup – The goal of flossing is to rid your gum line and spaces between teeth of food particles that build up throughout the day. Unlike string flossing that can get deep within the crevices, a water flosser isn’t always strong enough to remove the plaque from your teeth. To make the water flosser more effective, use string floss first to loosen up the plaque and make it easier to clear off.
- Upfront Cost – If you’re interested in a water flosser, there’s going to be a higher upfront cost associated with it. When looking for a cheaper option that is effective (and arguably more effective), then string floss is the ideal solution for you.
- Messy – While a water flosser is easy to use, there is a learning curve. You might find yourself with a bathroom or face full of water while you learn how to angle the water spout at the correct angles to clean your teeth.
Schedule Preventative Dental Care with Dr. Rath
While flossing is a great way to maintain your oral hygiene, preventative maintenance is the best way to keep a cleaner, healthier smile. Dr. Rath and her highly trained staff can help you determine the steps to take to improve your oral hygiene. Contact Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Billings, MT, to schedule an appointment for preventative care. We look forward to helping you improve your oral health!
