Floss vs Waterpik?

Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease and cavities. The build up of food particles immediately after you eat can lead to plaque and if left alone long enough will harden to tartar.

Brushing alone with fluoride tooth paste can help but what about the spaces in between? The toothbrush bristle is not small enough to get in between tight spaces so what can you do?

I often get told that flossing is too difficult and time consuming, hurts and that the teeth are too tight together to floss. Is there a better way?

A waterpik , also known as a dental water jet, can help remove particles from your teeth. It applies a pressurized stream of water  towards the teeth but is this enough?

BENEFITS OF A WATERPIK

Waterpik has many benefits 

1. Easy to use if you have braces or bridges that are more challenging than flossing

2. Easy for hard to reach areas like wisdom teeth

3. Helps clean around dental implants

According to research dental floss is the most effective tool to clean between the teeth and tight spaces. When used correctly you can use it to scrape up and down the sides of the teeth. The waterpik is a great tool to remove large particles along the gum line and even help reduce bleeding  gums . However, the waterpik does not remove the visible film of plaque.

If flossing  is too hard try different types of floss ( waxed vs un-waxed vs tape), maybe floss aids like a floss holder will do the trick or even floss sticks

The next time you are in the office ask us how we can make flossing a breeze.

FLOSS LIKE A BOSS!!!

Let us keep you smiling

Dr Sharon Walden 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/dental-floss/faq-20058112