Which is Better: String Floss or Water Flossers?

Any kind of floss is only as good as your technique.

Did you know that about half of all Americans don’t floss daily? And of these flossing slackers, about 18 percent never floss at all?

This is bad news for our country’s oral health. Flossing is a very important part of your daily oral hygiene routine, because it helps clean places brushing simply doesn’t reach. If you don’t floss, you are at increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which are the two primary causes of tooth loss.

Hate String Floss? Try a Water Flosser

Sometimes, people’s excuse for not flossing is that string floss hurts their gums, is too difficult to maneuver, or gets stuck between their teeth. If you have these kinds of objections to string floss, you may very well benefit from a water flosser.

Also called oral irrigators, water flossers use a small, concentrated stream of water to dislodge plaque and food debris from between teeth and beneath the gum line. They are easy to use and you can never run out of “floss.”

Do Water Flossers Really Work Better than String Flossers?

Although members of the dental community differ in their opinions about water flossers, research has shown that water flossers and string floss actually work about equally well. In one study, the individuals who used water flossers actually had less plaque in their mouths than those who used string floss.

Of course, no matter what kind of floss you decide to use, proper technique is absolutely essential for reaping the best possible health benefits.

Proper Water Flossing Technique

Using a water flosser is actually really easy. The main challenge is simply making sure you direct the stream of water at each tooth space for at least 2 seconds—though it can be very tempting to rush. You also need to be sure that the water stream is positioned close to the gum line and that you run around the top or bottom of each tooth to clean the gum pockets.

Proper String Flossing Technique

Using string floss isn’t difficult either, but there are a couple of tricks to the technique. First of all, you need to be careful to insert the floss gently between each tooth so that it does not snap against the gums and irritate the tissue unnecessarily. Next, you must remember to rub the floss against both teeth using a gentle sawing motion—though if your teeth are tightly spaced this may happen naturally. Finally, don’t neglect the get the floss up near the gum line to help clean those gum pockets.

Questions? Make an Appointment at California Dental Group

If you have questions about flossing or any other aspect of your oral hygiene, feel free to make an appointment at California Dental Group. Our dental cleanings offer the perfect opportunity to get your teeth squeaky clean and have a chat with a qualified dentist.