Unlock the Benefits of Water Flossing for Optimum Oral Health

Most people know traditional dental floss is important for keeping teeth and gums healthy, but have you ever considered water flossing? Water flossers are a great way to supplement your oral hygiene routine and can significantly benefit your smile. Here’s the intel you need to know about water flossing and why it might be the right choice for you

 

What Is Water Flossing?

Water flossing is an effective alternative to standard dental floss and an important part of your oral health care routine. It uses a pressurised stream of water to blast gum-line bacteria, food particles, and other debris away from the gum line. Its pulsations are significantly more powerful than those you do with string-style floss, making it much more effective at preventing gum diseases. Its ease of use, simple upkeep, and ability to effectively remove plaque and food particles make water flossers superior to manual ones. An oral irrigator, commonly called a water flosser, is an effective tool for achieving optimal dental health. It can dramatically improve your gum health.

 

Types of Water Flossers: Identify The Right Device For Your Needs

With many choices available, it can be daunting to determine the perfect type of water flosser for your needs; let’s look at different types and how they can help improve your gum health.

 

Countertop Water Flossers 

Countertop water flossers are larger models that require a power source to work. They usually come with several heads that each provide a different spray pressure and angle, making them more suitable for those who want to customise their oral care routine.  Countertop models also typically come with additional features, such as LED lights or timers, which give users greater control over their device’s settings. The downside is that these devices are more expensive than other types and often take up more counter space in the bathroom.

 

Cordless Water Flossers 

Cordless water flossers are smaller versions of countertop models that don’t require a power source to work. These devices are ideal for those who travel frequently or don’t have much counter space available in their bathroom. Cordless models also tend to be more affordable than countertop ones and come with fewer features and customisation options, making them better suited for basic oral care needs.

 

Portable Water Flossers 

Portable water flossers are smaller than cordless models and usually run on batteries or USB power sources. These devices are extremely convenient because they can easily fit into any bag or backpack, making them perfect for people who are always on the go. Portable models often come with fewer features than either cordless or countertop ones, so they may not be suitable for those who want more control over their device’s settings or those with complex oral care needs.

 

Advantages Of Water Flossing Over String Floss

Deciding whether a water flosser or standard dental floss is more beneficial for oral health depends on the individual. Still, many studies have shown that water flossers can be more effective than string floss.

 

 

Here are some of the main aspects in which water flossing has an advantage over string floss:

 

Removing Food Particles

Using a water flosser to remove food particles from between your teeth is an effective way to reduce the risk of gum disease. Food can easily get stuck in small spaces between teeth, and if left there, bacteria will start to form. By using a water flosser, you can help remove food particles without having to strain your fingers with traditional string floss.

 

Too Much Pressure Can Damage Gums

When using string floss, it’s easy to use too much pressure when cleaning between teeth. Too much pressure can damage gums and cause them to recede over time.

With a water flosser, however, that problem is eliminated as the gentle pulsating stream of water does all of the work for you. That means less effort is required and less risk of gum damage.

 

Convenient And Easy To Use

Water flossers are also more convenient than traditional floss because they don’t require special tools or products to do the job correctly. All you need is some warm tap water and the device itself! Additionally, many models come with removable heads that make cleaning different areas of your mouth easier than ever. Finally, water flossers are easier to use for those with dexterity issues, as they don’t require the same amount of physical effort as string flossing. Moreover, water flossers are beneficial for those with braces or other orthodontic devices that can be difficult to clean using traditional dental floss.

 

How to Use a Water Flosser?

What settings work best for your individual needs? A visit to a dentist can tell you, yet typically the steps of using a water flosser are as follows:

1. Fill the water flosser with warm or lukewarm water.
2. Angle the flosser tip close to your gums and dental work, but not directly on them.
3. Insert the tip into the mouth and slowly turn it on to start a gentle pulsating action.
4. Gently move along the gum line in each area of your mouth for at least 30 seconds before switching sides.
5. Place the tip at a 90-degree angle to your teeth and inject a thin stream of air between each pair of teeth.
6. Repeat the process on all pairs of teeth before rinsing with plain water when finished.

 

Who Can Benefit From Water Flossing?

1. People with orthodontic appliances: Water flossers are designed to easily access deep between teeth and around braces, making them an ideal choice for people who wear these orthodontic appliances.
2. People with chronic gum disease: Flossing is an important part of managing gum disease, yet traditional flossing methods can be difficult. Water flossers are gentle on gums and make it easier for people with chronic gum disease to clean between teeth effectively.
3. People with limited dexterity: Traditional flossing requires a great deal of manual dexterity, something many people don’t have due to conditions such as arthritis or other physical impairments. Water flossers are much easier to use and can be a great way for people with limited dexterity to maintain good oral hygiene.
4. People who have difficulty reaching back teeth: Traditional flossing requires the user to get their hand in a tricky position to reach back teeth. With water flossers, users can easily clean their back teeth without awkward movements.
5. People after oral surgery: Regular flossing can be very painful and difficult after a procedure, such as a wisdom tooth extraction. For those who require daily oral hygiene maintenance, water flossers are the ideal solution; they need to keep their mouths clean but don’t want to face the discomfort that traditional flossing entails.
6. People who want an easier way to floss: Water flossers provide a faster and more effective way of cleaning between teeth than regular string floss, making it the ideal choice for anyone looking for an easier and more efficient method of dental hygiene.
7. People with implant prostheses: Water flossers are the perfect tool for implants or dental prostheses, as they are gentle and can clean hard-to-reach areas around the implant.
8. People with large interdental spaces: People with wide gaps between their teeth can find it difficult to use regular floss, as it cannot reach all the way through the gap. Water flossers provide an effective solution for these individuals.

 

Conclusion

If you’re committed to enhancing your oral well-being, look no further! Investing in a water flosser is a great way to start. Studies show that using a water flosser can help reduce tooth decay, protect sensitive gums, and effectively floss teeth – all without the hassle of traditional dental floss.

Water flossers can help promote healthy gum tissue and reduce inflammation. With all these benefits and more, investing in a water flosser today could be just what you need to take your oral hygiene routine to the next level!

If you’re looking for a quality water flosser to help improve your oral hygiene and maintain healthy gums, check out by calling Infinity Dental Care on (02) 9159 6237 today!

 

 

Reference 

Dental floss vs. water flosser: Which is better? – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/dental-floss/faq-20058112

Water Flossers vs Floss: What Works Better? | Cleveland Clinic
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-water-flossers-work/

Comparison between water flosser and regular floss in the efficacy of plaque removal in patients after single use – PMC
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8236551/