Having strong, healthy gums is important for dental hygiene, but it’s also an indicator for heart and vascular health. And while brushing twice a day is a good habit to get into, it doesn’t remove all the plaque from your teeth. Flossing twice a day is essential to clean between your teeth and below the gum line, to prevent plaque from hardening and forming tartar build up. Using a water flosser is a much gentler approach than string floss, and presents a host of other benefits for your oral health. Let’s take a closer look at the pros of a water flosser vs string floss.
Why Your Oral Health Is So Important?
Cavities and untreated tooth decay is the leading cause of tooth loss, and having a full set of healthy teeth is vital for being able to eat well and look your best. Not only do you need all your teeth for biting and chewing – and thus longevity – you also need them for good self confidence and esteem.
Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day is an essential aspect of everyone’s dental hygiene but your toothbrush can’t reach all sides of your teeth. Only flossing can reach between your teeth and clean the plaque that accumulates below your gum line. For many years string floss was the only option to help patients achieve cleaner teeth but water flossers or water piks have grown in popularity and offer you a much easier way of managing your dental hygiene than traditional flossing.
Untreated tooth decay can result in tooth loss – especially in the areas that you can’t see with your naked eye. But it’s also important to remember that the bacteria that causes dental decay can actually get into your bloodstream and affect your heart and vascular system, causing plaque build up in your arteries and contributing to high blood pressure. Remember that your body is an interconnected system where all components need to be strong and healthy in order to operate optimally.
Water Flosser Vs String Floss: What’s Best?
Water flossers or water piks shoot jets of water into your mouth for oral irrigation and, even though you may not have heard of them before, have actually been around since 1962.
A water pik or water flosser can shift debris, food particles and plaque to prevent it from forming calculus or tartar around your teeth.
String floss has been around since the 19th century, and the first string flosses were created out of unwaxed silk. It was only after the Second World War and the invention of nylon that floss was popularised, as the material was more readily available.
What Are The Pros Of A Water Flosser Vs String Floss?
Do An Effective Job
Water flossers take care of the work for you. Humans are subject to error and may not always be consistent when it comes to traditional flossing. Using a water pik applies consistent pressure and gets the job done well.
Reach Into Those Small Spaces
When you use a water flosser you can penetrate the small spaces between your teeth, the area below your gum line and prevent bacteria build up in periodontal pockets. Removing all the bacteria from your mouth also improves your breath, keeping it fresher for longer.
Neither string floss or water flossers are 100% effective at plaque removal so you will need to continue to visit your dentist regularly to remove any residual plaque. Remember that accumulated plaque turns into tartar, which is a hard substance that is acidic and which corrodes away tooth enamel, causing dental decay. Only a dentist has the instrumentation to remove tartar so you must continue with dental visits even if you think you’re doing a great job.
Water Flossers Are Gentler To Use
Traditional flossing with string floss can be invasive, particularly if your gums are sensitive or you suffer from gum disease. Some people find their gums even bleed a little when they use string.
Water flossers make use of water pressure, which eases the pressure on their gums and reduces the chances of bleeding.
Oral Irrigators Are Ideal For People Who Wear Braces
Wearing orthodontic braces does present a challenge for cleaning your teeth because of the small spaces that present. It may also be harder to see plaque on your teeth, especially if you have traditional metal braces that obscure a large part of the surface of your teeth.
Using water flossers can make it easier to clean those little spaces more effectively.
Water Flossers Are Easy To Use
If you have a problem with your hands – like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, using traditional string floss can be painful and uncomfortable. When you use a water flosser your fingers can be relaxed while the device does the work for you.
Just remember to use your water pik over the basin, to avoid making a mess, and to clean it properly so it doesn’t harbour any unwanted bacteria.
Brushing And Flossing: What Comes First?
It actually doesn’t matter what order you brush and floss in, as long as you do both activities every time you clean your teeth. Some people prefer to floss first, so that their toothpaste can reach the flossed areas but both orders are effective at cleaning your teeth.
If you are going to use string floss, you will need to remember to rinse your mouth afterwards so that all the debris is removed. Using a water pik takes care of the rinsing for the most part, as the device contains water.
If you still have questions about whether a water flosser vs string floss will work best for your dental hygiene it’s best to speak to your dental practitioner. Please contact us at (02) 9159 6237 for a convenient appointment.