Dental Floss vs Waterpiks
Such is a dilemma. Even if you brush twice a day religiously that toothbrush isn’t going to be able to go in between your teeth and under the gumline to get rid of the plaque and food debris that’s stuck there. There are two things that can help. Dental floss and Waterpiks. However many people think that one is better than the other. Let’s c
ompare.
Dental floss is a cheap and efficient way to clean in between your teeth and gums. It’ll reach tight areas that your toothbrush can’t. The best part is that by using floss to scrape the sides of your teeth, you’re able to get rid of the plaque that’s forming on the tooth surface. It’ll definitely prevent or delay the onset of tooth decay or gum disease. There are many types of dental floss out there that it can be a bit overwhelming. From the traditional unwaxed & unflavored threads to the flavored dental floss picks. Several problems with using dental floss, especially if you’re using the old fashioned thread, is that it might make your gums bleed if they’re sensitive. If you have braces, it can be very hard and time consuming to use properly. It’s also hard to use floss even if you use the ones that come in dental picks if you have problems with your hands.
Waterpiks basically work by having water stream in between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. The price for a Waterpik water flosser can range anywhere from $30.00 for a simple model to $90.00 for a more sophisticated one. It’s easy to use one especially if you have problems with your hands. They’re very useful when you have braces because let’s face it. It’s hard and tedious to clean the back of your braces. It’s also gentle on the gums so it can prevent it from bleeding and it can get into the pockets of gums that can harbor bacteria that encourage gum disease. The downside of it besides being expensive is that it can’t really get rid of the plaque on your teeth because it can’t scrape in between your teeth.
Bottom line is that waterpiks should be used in conjunction with dental floss and brushing to maintain optimum oral health and prevent dental decay from forming. Use the floss to scrape away the plaque, follow up with your waterpik to wash it from between your gums, then brush away for the recommended two minutes, and finally rinse. There you have it. More reason to enjoy your dental routine. Oh and don’t forget to visit your dentist every six months for your check up and cleaning.
