The chances are high that your dentist or dental hygienist has been pushing you to floss daily every time you visit. If you’re like most people, however, you probably don’t manage to floss every day. You might not even floss at all. We’re going to cover all about water flossing, and why we recommend it to our patients at Lynhurst Dental!
Maybe it’s because flossing can be painful, time-consuming, and feel like an annoying chore that provides no immediate results. We all know flossing is essential, yet so few of us manage to do it consistently.
If you’re looking for an option that can make flossing easier, devices that use water may work for you. Water flossing is done with a tool known as a water pick. This tool cleans your teeth and gums without physical contact using a concentrated stream of water to flush out plaque and bacteria. You can think of it as a sort of small pressure washer for your teeth and gums, and one which can be a lot more fun to use than dental floss.
Advantages of Water Flossing Vs. Conventional Flossing
A significant advantage of water flossing is that it is not as painful on your gums! It doesn’t cause bleeding, as regular floss can. These benefits can help take the fear and stress out of flossing and lead to better dental hygiene habits.
Water flossers are simple to use and do a more effective job of cleaning your mouth than the piece of string that you might currently be using! Many users found that the water flosser reduced instances of gum disease and eliminated cases of bleeding almost entirely.
Types of Water Flossers
Most water flossing devices feature a hollow tube connected to a remote water reservoir, which holds a relatively large water supply, similar to the way a coffee maker works. The water flows down the hose and goes up into the pressure washing nozzle, where it sprays onto the teeth and gums in a concentrated stream. This is the most popular style of flosser, but there are also a few other options.
The second type of water flosser is self-contained and cordless, featuring a reservoir directly in the handle. It may even contain a battery to eliminate the need for a power cord. One drawback is that you may need to refill the small water reservoir if you need more time to finish. This issue is not present with the remote reservoir style of water flossing machines.
There is also a third, and less popular style of water flosser which attaches directly to your bathroom faucet. This style is more challenging to work with and occupies your primary faucet.
Features to Look for in a Water Flossing Device
When looking for a new water flosser, there are some key features that can enhance your experience and the effectiveness of the tool.
Adjustable pressure is the first feature you’ll want to be on the lookout for. The ability to adjust the water stream pressure will give you a better level of control. This can help improve cleaning effectiveness and reduce any mess caused by overspray.
Reducing the water stream’s pressure is also critical for those with sensitive gums or teeth and canker sores. By turning down the pressure, you can eliminate any potential pain caused by hitting sensitive teeth, gums, or sore areas with a powerful pressurized water stream. These adjustable pressure water flossers allow you to select an exact amount of water volume and pressure, making them much nicer to work with than those without this feature.
A few other useful features that can help add to the experience of using a water flosser include:
Pulsating Water Pressure: Pulsating water pressure can help remove any accumulated deposits of plaque or bits of food. A steady stream might not be able to clean as effectively.
Interchangeable Spray Nozzle Tips: These differently designed tips can be optimized for people with braces to help clean in all the awkward and hard-to-reach places. They can also increase pressure, which can be helpful for those with stubborn plaque deposits.
Rotating Head: A rotating head design allows you to angle the spray head to reach difficult to access spots. This feature makes the tool more effective at cleaning plaque from all areas of the mouth.
Other Water Flosser Features to Consider
After you have considered all of the above features, it is good to consider a few final things in your selection of a water flossing tool. These factors may include price, size, and the ease and speed of changing or replacing batteries.
Try it for Yourself!
Regardless of which water flossing device you choose in the end, your dentist and dental hygienist will probably be pleased that you are cleaning your mouth more often and more effectively. Using a water pick can significantly reduce your risk of gum disease and instances of gum bleeding. While also removing plaque and bacteria, this will lead to better overall dental health. Contact us today to find out about the options we offer in office, at https://lynhurstdental.ca/contact-us/
Have you tried a water pick, and do you have a personal favorite? Feel free to share your choice with us in the comments below!
This article was first published in dentalsignal
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