We all know how important flossing is in our daily dental care routine. Along with brushing twice a day, flossing helps remove food from between our teeth and protects against gum disease and gingivitis. However, you might have found yourself in the oral care section of the local department store and seen something called a water flosser. These new devices started appearing on the market at around the same time as electric toothbrushes. Is water flossing any better than regular flossing?
Traditional Flossing
Regular flossing involves using a waxed or unwaxed string to clean the spaces between the teeth. The user tears off a piece of floss approximately eighteen inches long and wraps most of it tightly around fingers on each hand, then slides the floss up and down between each tooth. It is a method that has been proven to work over the years. Studies have continually proven that those who floss once a day have less plaque and bleeding gums than those who didn’t floss at all.
Water Flossing
Water flossing differs from regular flossing in a few ways. Instead of using a string, these hand-held machines use a steady stream of water which is then sprayed towards the spaces in between the teeth. Water flossing may be a good option for you as a substitute for regular flossing if you have trouble holding a string of floss. In addition, it makes a great option for those with dental work that makes regular flossing difficult, such as braces.
Which is Better?
Regular flossing is preferable to water flossing because you have more control of the process and can really do a thorough cleaning. In addition, regular floss is very portable, making it easy to floss while on the road. However, that’s not to say that water flossing isn’t useful at all. If you’re unable to use regular floss, water flossing can help you keep the spaces between your teeth clean and is better than not flossing at all!
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Oral Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and Pinterest.