Dental Floss vs. Waterpik – Which Is Best?

In order to maintain a healthy smile, it is crucial that you get into those hidden nooks and crannies between the teeth to remove plaque. However, you may be wondering what the best way is to do this. While using dental floss has been the norm for many years, Waterpiks are also available to help with this task. Which one should you choose? Continue reading to learn about the pros and cons for each option.

Dental Floss

Dental floss was first recommended just over 200 years ago, and it is still the standard today when it comes to maintaining excellent dental hygiene. Here are some of the advantages of this technique:

• Dental floss is generally easy to control, so you are able to reach those trouble areas in your mouth that you want to focus on. Manual flossing allows you to meticulously clean each tooth and maneuver between the teeth.
• Using dental floss allows you to access hidden plaque along and beneath the gumline to ward off gum disease before it becomes an issue for your smile.

While dental floss is very effective at keeping your smile clean, it does have some downsides:

• Technique is very important when using dental floss. If you floss too far or forcefully into the gums, you can cause irritation and bleeding. If you aren’t thorough enough, you will end up leaving plaque behind.
• Dental floss may be challenging to work with if you have braces, bridges, or other dental restorations in your mouth. It can also be tricky for people who have conditions that make it difficult to handle the floss, like arthritis.

Waterpiks

The first oral irrigator was invented in 1982. These types of water flossers work by using a pressurized stream of pulsating water to clean away food particles and plaque from beneath the gumline. Here are some of the pros:

• Patients who wear braces or have dental restorations, like bridges, crowns, and dental implants, often have an easier time cleaning their smiles with a Waterpik.
• Waterpiks are ideal for people who have arthritis or anyone who has difficulty using dental floss.

As with everything, using a Waterpik does have some cons:

• Waterpiks don’t tend to be as effective at removing plaque as dental floss with optimal technique.
• Waterpiks are less affordable than standard dental floss. This piece of equipment can cost as much as $50.

While Waterpiks are able to help remove food debris and plaque from your smile, they aren’t usually a great substitute for traditional dental floss. Many people find that a combination of both techniques is the most effective way to care for their smile. Talk to your dentist to find an oral hygiene regimen that’s best for your unique smile needs.

About the Author

Dr. Mamata Ponnaganti is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for two decades now. She earned her dental doctorate from Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and has advanced training in numerous dental services, including oral sedation, laser dentistry, and dental implant placement/restoration. Currently, she is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and Academy of General Dentistry. Still don’t know if you should use dental floss or a Waterpik? To learn more about which dental tools you should use or to schedule an appointment at her office in Tampa, visit her website or call (813) 818-4520.