A WaterPik flosser is very popular these days. At its core, it’s a special device that acts as an oral irrigator and directs water at the teeth to wash away plaque and food particles. It’s marketed as an alternative to traditional floss and makes it fast and easy to clean your teeth.
If you have metal braces, you’ll likely love a WaterPik because it can make it a breeze to floss your teeth. A WaterPik may also make sense if you have gum disease because it can flush out the bacteria from pockets that pop up in the areas where your gums separate from your teeth.
While a WaterPik does have some advantages, it’s not perfect. Compared to traditional dental floss, it’s more affordable. A WaterPik can also be messier as water may spray everywhere and create a mess. Perhaps the most noteworthy drawback is the fact that a WaterPik is not a substitute for flossing.
WaterPiks are Available at Higher Pressure Settings
WaterPiks are available in a variety of models. The countertop products offer 3, 6, or 10 pressure settings. These range from 10-90 or 10-100 PSI. The cordless water flossers have 2 or 3 pressure settings with 45 to 75 PSI.
Unfortunately, a WaterPik doesn’t have the power to remove plaque from the teeth as well as floss can. While you can control the pressure of the WaterPik and use it at its highest setting, you won’t be able to get one that has enough pressure to get rid of all your plaque effectively.
This is because a WaterPik simply sprays water to rinse away the food particles. When you use traditional dental floss, however, hug each tooth and scrape the plaque.
Stick to Traditional Floss
While it may be more time consuming to floss your teeth with traditional floss, we highly recommend this strategy. It’s far more likely to get rid of the food particles and plaque in your mouth than a WaterPik as it allows for 360 maneuvering. Be sure to use proper flossing techniques and remove the plaque from in between your teeth at least once daily.
Of course, using a WaterPik is better than not flossing at all. If you do go the WaterPik route, do your research. Make sure that the product you buy has been approved by the American Dental Association. Be cautious of knock off products as they may not be as effective.
Why is Flossing Important
Flossing your teeth is just as important as brushing them. By flossing every day, you can remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from your teeth. This can prevent cavities and gum disease. It can also reduce the risk of tooth loss. If you tend to forget to floss, place a note by your bathroom mirror or set a daily alarm or calendar reminder.
Contact River Run Dental Spa
If you have any questions about the WaterPik or would like to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our experienced Richmond, VA dentists, we encourage you to contact us today at (804) 419-4211 We look forward to hearing from you!