Flossing is a relatively simple process. The dentist or dental hygienist is a great resource for additional information or clarification on these procedures. Water picking utilizes a special machine that directs a stream of water into the mouth and gums. Rather than scraping the teeth to remove plaque, water flossing uses the pressure of the water to massage the gums and push the food away from the teeth.
Water picking has many advantages. A waterpik is easy to use, especially for people with braces, or other types of dental work like permanent or temporary bridges. A waterpik can be expensive to purchase, and will need space for storage. It requires access to electricity and water, making it difficult to use outside of the home. Click here to find water piks for purchase. Please note that this link will open a separate page. It is important for users to read all of the instructions thoroughly and be sure that they understand them.
Which of these two techniques is best is an ongoing question and there really is no right answer. The most important thing is to clean between the teeth and under the gums each day. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry compared the efficacy of a water flosser to string floss used in combination with a manual toothbrush.
The researchers found that the group who used the waterpik had a Other studies also found that people who used water picking saw a greater reduction in gingivitis and gum bleeding as compared with string floss.
However, many dentists and hygienists still recommend string flossing, either in addition to or instead of water flossing. In addition to string flossing or water picking, there are several best practices that are associated with good oral health.
They include:. Good dental hygiene is not just essential for healthy teeth and gums. Open Menu. String Floss. Essential Part of an Oral Care Routine. Water Flosser vs. String Floss Flossing involves threading a thin string of nylon or teflon between teeth in a C-shape pattern to remove plaque. When choosing between a water flosser or string floss, be sure to think about: Ease of Use: String floss is fairly easy to use, but very technique intensive. Which Is Better? However, there are some instances where an oral irrigator may be seen as a better option to string floss: Sensitive Gums - Water flossers may be a less painful option for people with sensitive gums.
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Answer From Thomas J. Salinas, D. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
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