Flossing is one of the most important tools you have for caring for your dental health, but which is better: regular flossing or water flossing?
Flossing, whether you do it with water or with dental floss, is important for maintaining healthy gums and preventing cavities. Both are simple options for getting a deeper and more comprehensive tooth cleaning in the comfort of your own home. They reduce the work your dental hygienist needs to do during routine dental cleanings, ensuring that food does not remain stuck between your teeth and creating bacteria that can cause tooth decay.
If you’re wondering if one option is better than the other, here’s what you need to know.
Why Is Flossing Important?
Before you determine whether to invest in a water flosser or stick with regular dental floss, it’s important to understand why flossing matters.
Flossing provides a deeper clean than brushing alone. Some dental health professionals even recommend prioritizing flossing, on the rare occasion you don’t have time to do both. This is because flossing gets in between your teeth – it cleans “interdentally” – and is better than brushing, as it prevents plaque and tartar from forming and building up.
In addition to giving your mouth a cleaner feel and preventing lingering food from sticking around, flossing can reduce your risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Traditional Flossing
When most people think of flossing, they think of traditional flossing. This is when you manually move a string of floss in between teeth and onto the gum line. It’s a great way to scrape plaque between your teeth.
To traditionally floss, you’ll need about 18” of string floss, usually coated in wax, to glide smoothly over and in between teeth. Wrap the ends around your fingers and simply move from tooth to tooth.
Traditional flossing is affordable and can be done anywhere without any special tools other than floss. However, many people struggle with the technique, and it can be extra challenging if you have braces or dexterity issues.
Water Flossing
Water flossing is another option for those who prefer to double-up on flossing or who struggle with traditional flossing.
Water flossing, sometimes called water picking, offers a few benefits that don’t come with traditional flossing.
For example, using water to floss rarely causes gum bleeding and doesn’t trigger inflammation. It can also be a better option for people with braces or dental implants because there’s less pressure on the teeth.
To water floss, you need to invest in a water flossing device, which shoots a stream of water that you aim between teeth. Water flossers are easy to use and work well for people with sensitive teeth. The downside of water flossing is that you need to buy a device that’s more expensive than floss. It’s also bulkier, making it difficult to carry with you as you would floss, and it’s more challenging to transport when travelling away from home overnight.
Which is Better?
The simplest answer when it comes to comparing water and regular flossing is that “it depends.” What might be better for one person doesn’t matter for someone else, which means you’ll need to consider your specific dental needs when deciding whether to floss traditionally or with water.
Some dentists believe that traditional flossing is slightly better at removing plaque between teeth, but this is assuming the person is flossing with proper technique.
When it comes to gum health, it’s generally accepted that water flossing is better because it’s gentler on gum tissue. Many people find that their gums bleed when they floss traditionally, but that’s not a problem with a water flosser.
It’s also important to consider how water flossing is easier for some people. This is especially true for those who lack the manual dexterity needed to move floss between teeth. So, for instance, you might consider investing in a water flosser if you have arthritis in your hands that makes traditional flossing painful.
Choose the Option You’re Most Likely to Use
When it comes to flossing, the better option is the one that you’ll do consistently. You want to remove as many barriers as possible when it comes to flossing. If you know you won’t floss because it’s uncomfortable or your gums bleed every time you do it, consider trying water flossing. If you’re looking for something quick and easy that you can do anywhere, anytime, traditional flossing is a better option.
If you’d like to discuss whether water flossing or regular flossing is better for you or you’d like to know more, Contact Us.
