How Often Should You Use a Waterpik^TM Water Flosser? (2024)

FAQs

How often should you use a Waterpik flosser? ›

You should use your WATERPIK water flosser at least once per day. Why? To maintain good oral health, the American Dental Association recommends that you floss at least once per day and brush your teeth at least twice per day.

While water flossers are generally considered safe for most people, there is some evidence to suggest that overuse or incorrect use can lead to gum damage. On the other hand, water flossers have been shown to improve gum health by removing plaque and reducing the risk of gum disease.

Water flossers can be used every day, you should use them every time you do your oral health care routine. If you use them 2-3 times a day, they should help enhance your oral health by decreasing gum disease and reducing your chance of tooth decay.

The rinsing action of Waterpiks may not be enough to remove plaque completely from the surface of your teeth. Some people like to use string floss first to scrape off and loosen plaque. A Waterpik can then be used to efficiently rinse out residue and plaque left behind.

Since flossing daily is recommended, using a WaterPik daily is also encouraged. Although you can use it in the morning, night usage is ideal. This is because typically, you'll go the longest without food or drink overnight. You've already had all your meals for the day and can end the day with perfectly clean teeth.

Therefore, our recommendation is to consider using your Waterpik water flosser first before brushing your teeth. This will allow the stuck-on debris to dislodge and then you can easily brush the remaining area free of all particles.

Can a Water Flosser damage teeth or gums? Though some may find that their gums bleed when they first use one, a Water Flosser does not damage teeth or gums. It is gentle on the oral cavity and acts similar to flossing.

Because water flosser heads touch your mouth and stay wet, oral bacteria can grow on it. Even despite following the provided cleaning recommendations. That's not all, this study limited itself to studying only the nozzle, not the hose or water reservoir itself.

How to use: Start with the back teeth and follow the gumline, pausing briefly between the teeth and aiming the tip at the gumline at a 90-degree angle. Hold the tip slightly away from the gums to allow the water flow to remove plaque and debris.

Some people use mouthwash or other substances in their water flossers rather than tap water. Replacing the water in your water flosser with mouthwash isn't bad for you, but it won't help unless you have cavities or periodontal disease, according to dentists.

Does a Waterpik get between teeth? ›

A Waterpik is a brand of water flosser or oral irrigator that sprays water to remove food from between your teeth. Water flossers may be a good option for people who have trouble with traditional flossing -- the kind that involves threading string-like material between your teeth.

The truth is there is no difference. A Waterpik is simply a brand of water flosser that has become so well known that the name of the company and the product itself have become synonymous. So now you know that a Waterpik is simply a type of water flosser, but what do these dental devices actually do?

Recommended Frequency and Duration of Use: It's generally safe to use a water flosser once or twice a day for two minutes at a time. Correct Technique for Water Flossing: Hold the water flosser tip at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and gums and aim the stream of water directly at the gum line.

Waterpiks can loosen food particles and other debris that toothbrushes leave behind. While they're not as good as flossing, they're better than nothing.

How It Works. Like regular flossing, water flossing removes food stuck between your teeth and the bacteria lingering there before it hardens into plaque. Your toothbrush can't get into those small spaces. Water flossing can also reduce gum disease and bleeding.