By Brushing your teeth is not the only way to keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Flossing is essential for cleaning between your teeth, eliminating plaque and food, and avoiding gum disease. Fortunately, you may try a variety of flossing items other than the traditional strand of waxed thread. Water flossers clean between your teeth with a constant spray of pure water. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of both conventional flossing and water flossing and choose the best option for you by speaking to a Chelsea dentist today.
Traditional flossing
Dental floss is a silky thread or string made of silk or a similar substance that is used to clean teeth. There are several possibilities for regular string floss. For example, waxed floss contains a small layer of wax that makes it more durable, but unwaxed floss is easier to clean tight places between teeth. There is a dental tape, which is flatter and larger to give comfort to people with greater room between their teeth, and polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) floss, which is less likely to shred and can easily slip between narrower areas.
Pros of traditional flossing
- Floss is affordable, easy, and readily available.
- Flossing is a very effective approach to eliminate extra food and dirt from your teeth.
- Lowers the risk of gingivitis and gum disease.
- It is quick and easy – you can do it practically anyplace.
Cons of traditional flossing
- Improper technique can result in mild bleeding, and some individuals may struggle to master it.
- Some parts of the mouth are difficult to reach with floss.
Water flossing
A water flosser is a specialized device that produces a thin stream of water. When targeted between your teeth or at the gum line, the pressure from the water massages the gums and pushes food away from the teeth. According to clinical tests, utilizing a water flosser resulted in penetration of 50% of the pocket’s depth, which is almost twice as far as dental floss.
Pros of water flossing
- Excellent alternative for people with arthritis or poor dexterity.
- Simple to use, especially for people who have braces or other forms of dental procedures (including bridges, implants, and fixed retainers).
- The massaging motion can promote gum health and reach regions that regular floss cannot.
Cons of water flossing
- Takes up storage space on your bathroom counter and needs electricity and water.
- More pricey.
- Difficult to utilize outside the house.
If manual flossing is difficult for you, water flossers are an excellent option for removing food particles and plaque. The most essential thing is that flossing is part of your regular dental care practice and that you do not use improper flossing tools, such as your fingernails or pieces of paper. Floss at least once daily after cleaning your teeth to remove dirt and plaque from hard-to-reach areas. You can consult your dentist for more information on what is best for you.
