Water flossing devices like Waterpiks have been around since the 1960s. Some people prefer using the devices instead of traditional dental floss. On the other hand, a lot of people concerned about maintaining excellent oral hygiene worry that water flossing devices don’t work as well as regular dental floss.
Before you spend money on a Waterpik or similar device, you should learn the truth about how the devices work and whether they’re as effective as dental floss.
How Water Flossing Devices Work
Waterpik Water Flosser works by shooting pulses of water between your teeth and gumline. The combination of pressure and pulsation washes debris from your mouth. Instead of using string floss to remove food debris and plaque, you rely on pulses of water to do the job for you.
Water Flossing May Remove Plaque Better Than String Floss
Dental hygiene plays a crucial role in your overall health, so it’s important to choose cleaning techniques that work well. Many people are skeptical of water flossing, perhaps because they think that it doesn’t work any better than swishing water. In reality, studies show that Waterpik devices remove 99.9 percent of plaque, which makes them more effective than string floss.
In addition to removing more plaque than dental floss, water flossing doesn’t cause the bleeding and swelling that many people get when they don’t use string floss properly.
Should You Include Water Flossing in Your Dental Hygiene Routine?
Now that you know how well water flossing works, you may want to invest in a Waterpik or similar product. Before you make a purchase, you should do some research so you can choose an affordable, effective model.
Waterpik devices tend to have some of the highest prices in the industry. A basic Waterpik model costs between $50 and $60. More advanced models, like the Waterpik Sidekick, costs about $125. Keep in mind that you will have to purchase additional water jet tips over time. A six-pack of tips costs less than $20.
If you want to spend less money, then you should explore products made by other companies. Belmint makes a basic model that costs about $35. Other affordably priced models are made by Nicefeel, Pure Daily Care and Greenvida.
Adding water flossing to your daily oral hygiene routine could lower your risk of cavities and tooth decay. You have a lot of options, though, so make sure you read reviews or talk to your dentist to find a model that will meet your expectations.
