Water Flosser vs. Regular Floss—But Floss You Must!

Mention the word dental care, and images of toothbrush and dental floss invariably pop up in our mind. What about the new water flosser? Is it better than traditional flossing? While brushing is undoubtedly the primary mode of cleaning teeth, regular flossing is crucial for clearing up plaque formation in those hard to reach areas between teeth, and below the gum line. But the time and effort required to painstakingly work floss string between individual teeth, is a big turnoff for many. If you’re one among them, despair not, for water flossers that are an effective and easy to use option. With water flossing, you can bid goodbye to the traditional string floss. Instead, you deploy a small hand-held device to direct a steady stream of water, under pressure, against the gaps between your teeth. The high-pressure water jet washes away food particles stuck in between the teeth, as well as the plaque forming in those areas. Water flossing is particularly useful for people with stiff fingers, and those who find it difficult to handle the thin string used for flossing the traditional way. Water flossing can also be a boon if you’re sporting dental braces. You know how difficult it is to clear away the food particles lodged behind the wires in your braces.

With a water flosser, you can simply focus the water stream at any point in your mouth and zap away the food particles and plaque. A number of benefits are attributed to water flossing. Since there is no abrasive contact involved, water flossing is gentle on the teeth and gums. Studies have revealed a significant decrease in the incidence of gingival bleeding. Plaque formation is also found to be slower in people who use a water flosser. Since a pressure jet of water is focused upon the teeth and gums, water flossing is five times more effective in clearing plaque from the dental surfaces.

If you’re preparing to switch to water-flossing, there are some drawback you may want to consider. Traditional string floss can be conveniently carried around as it is packed in small containers whereas water flossers are inconvenient to carry around in your pocket or purse. Since you must have access to power supply, to operate the hand-held flossing device, it may not be such a great idea if you’re the traveling kind or stay in far-flung areas. On the whole, you’ll discover that water flossing is an enjoyable way to derive effective cleaning of your pearly whites. But if you are the type who prefers doing things the solid, dependable way, go for traditional string floss. But floss you must regularly—is your dentist’s advice.