Ask Your Dentist: Is A Water Flosser Better Than Dental Floss?
All dentists agree that regular flossing is a vital part of keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy. Even with advice and support from a dentist or a site like http://www.joerosenbergddspa.net, many people struggle to floss effectively with conventional products, and water flossers are an increasingly popular alternative. Learn more about the benefits of a water flosser, and find out if this type of gadget is a suitable alternative to manual flossing.
How water flossers work
Consumers can now buy several types of water flosser, but the basic function is similar across all these gadgets. Water flossers use a reservoir of water with a handle that 'blasts' a jet of water at your teeth and gums.
You can choose from:
- A corded Flosser and basin that you plug into an electrical socket
- A cordless flosser that holds water inside the unit and is fully mobile
- A corded flosser that you connect directly to the faucet
The price of these gadgets varies considerably, and you can pay anything from $30 to around $300 for a new water flosser. Of course, while this is a sizable upfront investment, manufacturers advocate that these devices can still save money over the long-term because you reuse the unit.
Benefits of water flossers
Water flossers are popular with consumers for several reasons.
First, they're generally easier to use than conventional dental floss. Most people can use the device immediately, and where many people struggle to develop a good manual flossing technique, a water flosser almost does everything for you.
Water flossers are also generally kinder to your gums. Manual floss can often irritate sensitive gums, leading to bleeding and soreness. If you have recurring gum disease, water flossers can often help ease your symptoms because the water jet can get deeper into the pocket between the gum and the tooth. In this way, the flosser can flush out bacteria and food debris, promoting faster healing.
People with dental braces, crowns and bridges can also benefit from these devices because it's easier to remove debris around these implants with a water flosser. Water flossers are also good for children or seniors, who may find it harder to floss manually. Indeed, some manufacturers sell adapted versions of the devices that are easier for kids to handle and use.
Drawbacks of water flossers
Water flossers are easier to use, but they don't generally offer all the benefits of conventional floss.
Water flossers are unable to remove plaque build-up from your teeth. Manual dental floss scrapes away this biofilm, while a water flosser really only rinses the tooth. As such, even if you use a water flosser, plaque can still build up on your teeth, leading to problems with gum disease or decay. Indeed, the American Dental Association (ADA) does not yet advertise a water flosser that has the ADA seal of quality.
Some flossers are also quite messy to use. The spray of water can easily make a mess in the bathroom. According to the device you use, you may also find it inconvenient to have to refill the water reservoir several times during each flossing session. Like manual flossing, you also need to use water flossers every day to get the full benefit. If the device sits unused in your bathroom, your water flosser was a waste of money.
Recommendations
Most dentists agree that a water flosser is often a useful way to help you keep their teeth and gums clean, but you should not necessarily substitute manual floss for one of these devices. Indeed, for the best results, you may need to combine manual dental floss with a water flosser.
People with gum disease or dental implants may benefit more from a water flosser, so it's definitely a good idea to discuss these devices further with your dentist. Nonetheless, manual flossing is still the best way to remove plaque from your teeth.
