Keeping your smile healthy is all about taking the right preventive steps. In addition to visiting your dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings, you should also maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine. But when it comes to getting rid of the plaque and food particles between your teeth, what’s the best tool for the job? Should you stick with traditional dental floss, or would a water flosser be more effective? Here’s a closer look at both options so that you can pick the one that’s truly right for your smile.
Traditional Dental Floss
Dental floss is a thin thread that can be carefully guided between the teeth in order to clean the areas that a toothbrush wouldn’t be able to reach. Compared to a water flosser, traditional dental floss can give you more control over the cleaning process. You can wipe down each tooth one at a time and maneuver the floss to wherever it needs to go.
However, people with limited dexterity may have a difficult time using dental floss properly. On top of that, it can be hard to floss between teeth that are particularly close together. And if you’re too forceful while using traditional dental floss, you may end up with bleeding gums.
Water Flossers
A water flosser is a device that emits a pressurized stream of water that can rinse away the harmful materials hiding between the teeth. People who have trouble flossing the traditional way often find that water flossers are easier to use. Additionally, these devices can be particularly effective for cleaning hard-to-reach areas as well as tight spaces between the teeth.
However, it is important to note that a water flosser alone may not be able to completely remove the plaque that has built up on your teeth. There is also the matter of cost to consider, as water flossers carry a higher price tag than traditional dental floss.
Which Option is Right for You?
When it comes to removing plaque, research indicates that there is not much of a significant difference in effectiveness between traditional dental floss and water flossers. As such, the option that’s right for you largely comes down to your personal preference. Do you want the control that comes with dental floss or the ease-of-use that comes with a water flosser? Pick whichever one you’re most likely to stick to for the long term.
Regardless of whether you use a water flosser or traditional dental floss, it’s essential to make cleaning between your teeth a daily habit. That way, you can keep your risk for gum disease and other oral health issues to a minimum.
About the Author
Dr. Darren Koch studied dentistry at The University at Buffalo and graduated in the top 15% of his class. He belongs to the North Carolina Dental Society, the Fourth District Dental Society of Raleigh/Wake County, and various other organizations. He is proud to be able to help his patients protect their smiles with high-quality preventive care. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Koch at his practice in Cary, visit his website or call (919) 859-6633.
