Is Waterpik Better Than Flossing?
Is Waterpik better than flossing? Well, a Waterpik is definitely a great tool for fighting bacteria and maintaining a healthy smile. But you need to use it correctly in order for it to be beneficial. So, is the Waterpik better than flossing for you?
This article will outline the pros and cons of using a Waterpik and help you decide if a Waterpik is better than flossing for your specific situation.
Table of Contents
Figuring out is the Waterpik Better than Flossing?
When questioning is Waterpik better than flossing, it’s important to understand how a Waterpik works. A Waterpik uses a combination of a pressurized stream and pulsations to remove food, plaque, and bacteria.
The directed stream of water is how water flossers mechanically remove the debris compared to the floss’ technique of the string scraping the tooth surface. Our Healthy Smile Guide has more tips to fight bacteria and maintain a strong smile.
How to Use a Waterpik
A large part of the answer to ‘is Waterpik better than flossing?’ depends on how you use it. It’s important to use the proper technique to efficiently remove food, bacteria, and plaque. An improper motion of water flossers will actually clean worse than conventional floss.
Here are the steps to properly using a Waterpik:
- Fill the water reservoir with room temperature water. Water that is too cold or hot can cause tooth sensitivity.
- Place the Waterpik tip next to the gum line, a few millimeters away. Do not put the tip directly on the tooth’s surface, this will displace the stream and decrease effectiveness.
- Bend over the sink to allow the used water to flow out of your mouth and into the sink. This will decrease the chance of the water spraying everywhere.Â
- Hold the tip at a 45-degree angle, slowly follow the curve of the gum line along the tooth’s surface. Pause in between the teeth for a few seconds to remove food debris.
- Repeat step three along the whole tooth arch, inside and out, before moving on to the next arch.
- When finished, empty any remaining water out and let the appliance dry.
Two very important notes about using a Waterpik:
- Be careful adding other solutions to the water, too much of certain products, like essential oils or mouthwash, can result in chemical burns and irritation.
- It’s important to keep your Waterpik clean to prevent mold buildup. Routinely clean it with warm water and white vinegar.Â
Is Using a Waterpik Better Than Flossing?
Since every tooth in each person’s mouth is different, it’s hard to definitively answer the question is Waterpik better than flossing. In one study, the water flosser and toothbrush resulted in 29% more plaque removal.
Is the Waterpik better than flossing? A Waterpik can clean better in some of the following ways:
- People with increased pocketing from inflammation and bone loss
- Around bridges and other large restorations
- For orthodontic patients with expanders, brackets, and wires
- Permanent or fixed retainers
- Teeth with gaps and spaces in between
- Fixed dentures
- People with limited dexterity and can’t grasp or control string floss.
Waterpik Attachments
A Waterpik comes with several different attachment tips to support your smile. Figuring out is Waterpik better than flossing will depend on choosing the correct tip to effectively remove all food, plaque, and bacteria.
Different areas in your mouth may require different shapes and sizes of tips that are listed below. Asking your dental professional which will work best for your situation is the best way to find out which tip you should use.
The Classic Jet Tip
This attachment head is the standard tip to use every day. For general use, this tip will clean between the teeth and below the gumline.
Plaque Seeker Tip
This Waterpik head removes plaque around different types of dental work. The thin bristled tufts work well around bridges, crowns, implants, and fixed retainers. It’s recommended to replace this attachment around every 3 months due to bristle breakdown over time.
The Orthodontic Tip
The braces attachment includes a tapered brush end to remove plaque and food debris around brackets, wires, and retainers. It’s recommended to replace this attachment around every 3 months due to bristle breakdown over time.
Pit Pocket Tip
This style attachment is designed for periodontal pockets that are deep gum pockets with bone loss. Consult your dental professional before use. It’s important to use this tip on the lowest pressure setting to reduce tissue trauma.
For more flossing tools, check out our article Floss Alternatives To Improve Your Smile.
Recommendations
Much of the answer to the question of ‘is Waterpik better than flossing?’ will depend on a number of different factors. Here are the questions you should ask your dental professional before deciding which is better for you:
- Is the Waterpik better than flossing for my specific dental situation?
- How could I benefit from using a Waterpik?
- If using a Waterpik is better than flossing for me, which tip should I use and how should I use it?
- Is the Waterpik better than flossing, or should I just stick to conventional floss?
Asking your dentist these questions is a great idea since everyone’s teeth and overall dental health is different. Once you have the answer to these questions, you’ll know is Waterpik better than flossing for you specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Waterpik replace regular flossing?
Water flossers work well to remove food debris, bacteria, and some plaque. It is not a substitution for floss because it cannot finally wipe the entire side of the tooth.
Should you floss or use Waterpik first?
There are no current studies proving one is better to do before the other. Flossing will mechanically remove the plaque and bacteria from the tooth surface. The water flosser will help remove flush out the pocket from removed debris.
Will a Waterpik remove plaque?
Water flossers will remove food, bacteria, and plaque. Plaque builds up in a series of layers on the tooth structure. It takes precise movement from the water flosser to remove all layers of plaque. It is still recommended to floss to finely wipe the entire side of the tooth.
Is the Waterpik better than flossing?
The Waterpik is not better than flossing, but it’s also not worse. They are both excellent ways to remove food, bacteria, and plaque. Using both will yield the best results.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
