Water flossers are often recommended for preventative dental care. But are water flossers really worth it? Please read our article to learn about the benefits of adding a water flosser to your daily oral hygiene routine.

Are Water Flossers Worth It?

Water flossers are worth it, and this device can be highly beneficial for your oral health when used correctly. Water flossers have been proven to help prevent gum disease and tooth decay as they are effective in loosening and removing food debris and plaque that accumulate between your teeth, in hard-to-reach areas, and along the gumline. Additionally, this device can be especially effective for people who have crooked or crowded teeth.

You will have an oral hygiene boost and health benefits only if you use your water flosser as an additional step to flossing and brushing. A water flosser won’t be effective if you use it instead of traditional flossing or brushing, which can lead to a decrease in your oral hygiene.

It is recommended to use a water flosser as the first step in your oral hygiene routine. Then, it is easier to remove the loosened plaque and food debris with a traditional floss and a toothbrush. Additionally, using a water flosser before brushing your teeth can help increase the effectiveness of your fluoride toothpaste, allowing the fluoride to better reach the surface of your teeth.

The Main Benefits of Using a Water Flosser

To summarize, let us list the main benefits of using a water flosser:

• Deep cleaning: helps remove plaque and food debris in hard-to-reach areas and along the gum line
• Improved gum health: helps reduce gum inflammation and risk of gum disease by improving general oral hygiene
• Streamlines oral hygiene routine for people with dental appliances, such as dental bridges and braces: makes it easier to clean in hard-to-reach areas (underneath bridges or behind the wires)
• Can be of help for people with reduced hand dexterity or arthritis
• Can be used for a quick clean and breath refreshing after meals

How Do Water Flossers Work

A water flosser is a device that uses a pressurized water stream to clean your teeth. Typically, a water flosser device consists of:

• a water reservoir or tank
• the main body or handle with controls and a pump
• a hose (for countertop models)
• various interchangeable tips and nozzles (like classic, orthodontic, perio, or tongue cleaner)

To use a water flosser effectively, we recommend following these steps:

1. Fill the reservoir with warm water (not hot, but also not too cold)
2. Before switching the device on, place the nozzle in your mouth and lean over the sink
3. Point the nozzle at a 90-degree angle to your gumline, starting with your back teeth
4. If you are just starting to use a water flosser, use a lower pressure setting and gradually increase it as you get used to the process. Make sure not to irritate your gums by using pressure settings that are too high for your gums; this can cause pain.
5. Move the nozzle from tooth to tooth, pausing briefly at each gap, and trace the gumline on the inside and outside of all teeth.
6. When you finish cleaning, switch the device off before removing the nozzle from your mouth to prevent splashes.
7. Empty and rinse the reservoir after every use to keep it clean and prevent bacterial proliferation.

Make an Appointment with an Experienced Dentist

To further boost your oral health, do not skip biannual professional cleanings, checkups, and fluoride treatments. Make an appointment with an experienced dentist at Samaritan Dental today. We are looking forward to your visit.