What Is A Waterpik?
A water flosser is an interdental cleaning device which you can use to direct a thin jet of water between your teeth and along your gum line to remove food debris and plaque. The Waterpik is the most popular brand, most likely due to its award and association with the ADA.
What Is Dental Floss?
Dental floss is a fine cord which you can use to insert between your teeth to remove dental plaque and food debris. It is the most well-known method of interdental cleaning, although it requires skills to use it correctly and effectively.
What Is More Effective?
Clinical studies of the Waterpik have found that the water flosser is 51% more effective for reducing gingivitis, twice as effective at reducing gingival bleeding, and 29% more effective at removing plaque. The Waterpik can give you healthier teeth and gums when being used for just a few minutes per day.
Can I Use Waterpik With My Braces?
The Waterpik is thought to be three times more effective than dental floss for cleaning around braces. The study conducted by the manufacturers found that using the Waterpik was more than three times more effective than flossing and more than five times more effective than brushing alone at reducing the film of plaque on teeth. It was also 26% better than flossing and 53% better than just brushing in terms of reducing bleeding gums.
What’s More Convenient?
The Waterpik is going to be more challenging to travel with or to slip a package of floss in your purse or handbag. Also, the Waterpik requires power (charging), whereas dental floss can be almost anywhere at any time.
Also, there is an element of skill in using both a water flosser and traditional dental floss properly and get the full benefits. However, if you get it wrong with regular floss, it can easily result in sore, bleeding gums as it is easy to get carried away with vigorous flossing, whereas you are less likely to cause damage to your oral tissues with a water flosser.
Schedule a Consultation
If you would like to learn more about the advantages or disadvantages of traditional dental floss and the Waterpik, then please come in to discuss this with Dr. Engelberg at your next visit to their Arlington Heights dentist office. Arlington Heights Smiles serves many local communities including Long Grove, IL, Deerfield, IL, Northbrook, IL, Buffalo Grove, IL, Arlington Heights, IL, and many other local Chicago suburbs.