More than just having a lovely smile, good oral health is essential for enjoying food, feeling comfortable among people, and preventing dental discomfort. However, statistics indicate that a large number of Americans might do better in this area. One in four Americans have untreated dental decay, and more than 90% have experienced at least one cavity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Oral Health report, gum disease affects around half of all persons over 30. A water flosser is a device that should be on your bathroom countertop if you have gum disease and a lot of plaque buildup, even if dentists advise brushing and flossing twice a day.
How Do Water Flossers Operate?
Typically, water flossers are made out of a tiny nozzle that sprays pressured water and is tubed to a water reservoir. In order to remove food residue and plaque from teeth, water flossers use a mix of water pressure and pulsations to clean teeth and gums. They function similarly to dental floss, but the pressure allows for the effective removal of microscopic food particles that are invisible to the naked eye. Areas that floss cannot reach, such as behind the gum line at the front of teeth, can be reached with water flossers. The pressure may be changed by users to suit their demands. As a result, those who have sensitive gums could use a lower setting, while others who have just had a power clean might use a high pressure setting.
Do Water Flossers Work Well?
A research that was published in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry tested the efficacy of water flossers. There were two groups to which research participants were assigned. Group Two utilized a manual toothbrush and waxed dental floss to clean in between teeth, whereas Group One used a manual toothbrush and a water flosser. According to the results, the water floss group reduced plaque between teeth by 81.6% and whole mouth plaque by 74.4%. In contrast, the dental floss group saw a decrease in plaque in these locations of 57.7% and 63.45%, respectively. According to the research, using a water flosser is a better strategy to prevent plaque buildup. It also shows that, despite its lower effectiveness compared to the water flosser, dental floss is still an excellent strategy to promote oral health.
When Is a Water Flosser Recommended by Your Dentist?
If you often accumulate plaque or have sore gums, your dentist could suggest this regular cleaning technique. It can be advised that you use a water floss only after the bleeding has ceased if you have a disease like gingivitis. To treat more severe periodontal disease, a water flosser is insufficient, and you should always speak with your dentist. A root scaling and planing procedure could be suggested for you, and a water flosser might eventually be useful in maintaining the health of your gums. Moreover, water flossers are effective on hard-to-clean teeth. When you have wisdom teeth that haven’t been extracted, for example, your teeth could be extremely tight, making it difficult to insert dental floss in between them. However, a water flosser might be an excellent substitute.
A water flosser is perfect for teeth in awkward situations since it effectively eliminates trapped food and cleans plaque, but it can also be a part of any person’s regular oral hygiene regimen who wants to get the best possible clean. Ask your dentist whether a flosser is right for you if you are concerned about gum disease, inflammation, and decay because studies have shown that it works better than traditional brushing and flossing. Because flossers feature detachable tips, several family members may use a single unit.
Jacqueline Fallon. “Is Water Flossing the Ideal Instrument for Improving Oral Health?” Greek Dental Journal, December 11, 2018