Water Flossers VS String Floss | Oral-B (2024)

FAQs

Water Flossers VS String Floss | Oral-B? ›

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. Many find an oral irrigator to be far more convenient and a great addition to their oral care routine.

A 2013 study on the effectiveness of water flossers compared to string floss found that water flossers were “significantly” more effective than string floss. Specifically, they found that after a single use water flossers were 29% more effective at removing plaque.

Studies show that water flossers remove 29% more plaque than floss. Water flossers are also more gentle for people with gum sensitivity. In addition, patients with less dexterity tend to find water flossers easier to use than most other interdental cleaners.

Research has shown that there's minimal difference in plaque removal between using floss versus a Waterpik. Both Waterpiks and flossing are good ways to take care of your teeth and gums along with brushing. The ADA recommends brushing twice a day and cleaning in between your teeth once a day.

A Waterpik cannot offer the same level of cleaning, since the stream of water creates no friction that can loosen hard-to-reach pieces of food and other debris. Instead, most dentists recommend using a Waterpik as a complement to flossing.

A Waterpik Shouldn't Replace Brushing or Flossing

Waterpiks can't remove plaque or stuck-on debris, so it's important to continue to floss and receive professional cleanings regularly. Using a Waterpik while continuing to practice good oral care can help you to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

The drawbacks of using a water flosser include the fact that the water flosser is not cheap, it takes up a lot of bathroom space, it necessitates the use of both energy and water, thus it cannot be utilized just anywhere, and it's difficult to utilize outside the house.

Thousands of dental professionals recommend the WATERPIK water flosser to their patients, and they see the difference it makes. The Waterpik water flosser should be the standard of care for in-between clean. The clinical science behind the effectiveness of biofilm removal is unrivaled.

Is Water Flossing as Good as Dental Floss? The American Dental Association says water flossers with the ADA Seal of Acceptance can get rid of plaque. That's the film that turns into tartar and leads to cavities and gum disease. But some studies find water flossers don't remove plaque as well as traditional floss.

Keeping the tool clean aids in the removal of potentially harmful particles such as spores, bacteria, and mycotoxins, as well as potential food sources such as organic matter and mineral buildup.It also helps ensure that the machine continues to work properly; a malfunctioning waterpik is an open door for retaining ...

Is Waterpik bad for gum recession? ›

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.

The ideal time to use a Waterpik is before you brush your teeth. This is because doing so can allow you to remove food debris and plaque. When you use a Waterpik before brushing your teeth, teeth brushing becomes more effective.

Conclusion: The Waterpik Water Flosser and manual toothbrush is significantly more effective than a manual brush and string floss in removing plaque from tooth surfaces.

Periodontist Dr Khurrum Hussain says, “I recommend using oral irrigators alongside an effective tooth-brushing technique, focusing on toothbrushes and interdental brushes.” He adds, “Oral irrigators are particularly beneficial for patients undergoing orthodontic therapy who may have difficulty using interdental brushes ...

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.

If you want a flossing option that is very easy to use and generally effective, then floss picks might be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you want to experience the greatest control and get the deepest clean between your gums, then dental floss should be your choice.

Gingivitis is a typical plaque-related oral diseases, and plaque control has been proved to be an effective way to prevent and treat this disease. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that water flossing can ameliorate gingival inflammation by removing dental plaque [25, 39, 40].