Q: Is a water flosser better than a string floss?
A: Flossing daily is an important part of our oral care routine and I am glad you are trying to decide which to use to clean in between the teeth.
Water flossers, are also referred to as dental water jets or oral irrigators. They use a pressurized pulsating stream of water to clean away food particles and plaque in between the teeth and gum line.
Compared to a string floss, water flossers are easy to use. The water gets into hard to reach areas and cleans between tightly spaced teeth. However, the rinsing action of a water flosser is not strong enough to remove plaque completely as plaque is a sticky biofilm on our teeth. It is recommended that you still use a string floss to scrape and loosen plaque first and then use a water flosser to rinse these residues out.
The string floss is a good, traditional method of removing plaque in between the teeth. You are able to control the floss to clean each tooth manually so that it is thoroughly cleaned. The main issue most people have is that they are unsure on how to floss properly. If that is you, visit your Periodontist/dentist so that he/she can guide you on how to floss.
When done in a right manner, string floss is an economical and efficient way to clean in between the teeth. However, you may prefer water flossers in addition to string floss if you wear braces, have non-removable bridgework, crowns or dental implant crowns. Share your concerns with your Periodontist/dentist and he/she will help to determine the best option for you.
Dr Daylene Leong is Dental Specialist in Periodontics with Specialist Dental Group® She received her training in the specialty area of Periodontology from the University of Michigan, USA. Dr Leong is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. She has a special interest in periodontal regeneration, gingival aesthetic and plastic surgery and dental implants. www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883
Thanks for taking the time to provide some really good information between these two for flossing your teeth. This was a very informative and helpful article. Have a great rest of your day.
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