Many people want to know how a water flosser works and what it does. We’ve all seen the commercials on TV featuring happy, healthy smiles and fresh breath.
Water flossing is an easy way for anyone with braces or other dental floss to ensure they get clean each day by removing particles of food and plaque that gets caught between teeth and below the gum line.
Water flossers are an alternative to traditional string flossing, which many people find challenging with braces or other dental work.
If you are looking for a water flosser that will fit your needs, check out our top picks of the Best Water Flosser UK here.
How does water flosser work?
A water flosser works by removing plaque and food particles that get stuck below the gum line or in between teeth.
Typically, a stream of pulsating water will spray out at a pressure that is capable of dislodging food particles along with plaque from teeth and below the gum line.
A water flosser comes in several different models and sizes. Some are portable enough to bring on the go and others connect directly to an existing plumbing system, similar to a water pick or traditional faucet.
String flosser vs Water flosser
Water flossers and string flossers both serve as tools to help you get rid of food particles and plaque but they do so in slightly different ways.
String Flosser
Traditional string floss works by wrapping the string around each tooth, cleaning it with a back-and-forth motion. With braces, many people find this method difficult because it’s hard to get the string wrapped around each individual tooth.
Water Flosser
A water flosser does the same thing as string floss, but instead of using string it uses a thin stream of water to dislodge particles and plaque.
To use a water flosser, simply fill the reservoir, switch it on, and let it do its job. Some models come with additional settings for pulse or pause.
What are the benefits of using a water flosser?
Water flossers are great to use with braces because they remove plaque and particles much more effectively than string floss.
People who have orthodontics at home typically have problems being able to reach their own teeth in order to properly brush them. This is where a water flosser comes in.
Water flossers are also great for bridges, crowns, implants and other dental appliances.
The majority of water flossers come with multiple settings so you can choose different types of sprays depending on your preferences or the type of appliance you have. You can also adjust water pressure according to the needs of your teeth.
A water flosser is generally safer than string floss because it doesn’t require you to wrap the floss around your fingers.
How to use a water flosser properly
Using a water flosser may seem like an easy task but there are some best practices you need to follow in order to get the most out of your new dental tool.
Place the tip of the water flosser at the gum line. Position it about 1 inch away from where you want to start flossing. Make sure the tip of the device is in line with your gum line, or slightly below it.
Turn on the water flosser and let it do its job. However, don’t allow it to go too far into your mouth because you may risk accidentally swallowing some water.
Keep steady pressure on the flosser tip while you’re moving it along the gum line.
Try to use a variety of flosser tips, as each one might yield different results for you.
Don’t forget to change out your water flosser tip regularly because using dirty or worn-out tips can make them less effective and even lead to increased plaque buildup.
Traditional flossing explained
Traditional dental floss is inexpensive and readily available in pharmacies and supermarkets. It comes in smaller, more portable containers. It’s handy to have around, whether at home or on the road. Traditional flossing, on the other hand, has drawbacks. Many individuals have problems reaching around their mouth’s interior.
As a result, severe gum bleeding can occur. And worse, gum disease.
Why did some individuals in the UK choose to use Water Flossers on a daily basis? You can now find water flossers in wallets and in big bottles at pharmacies or supermarkets in the United Kingdom.
Water flossers are smaller, lightweight devices that can fit in a purse or suitcase. Water flossing is easy to do anywhere.
How effective is a water flosser?
Water flossers are more effective than traditional string floss. A 2014 study compared the effectiveness of water flosser with string floss in participants with fixed orthodontic appliances.
Results showed that both devices provided similar plaque removal, but the water flosser was associated with less gingival bleeding, which means it’s easier on the gums.
What is the water pressure of a water flosser?
A water flosser comes with manual or powered varieties. Manual ones provide you with less control over the pressure, but they’re also cheaper than their more sophisticated counterparts.
On the other hand, a powered water flosser allows you to select different pressure settings. Some models also come with a pause feature, which is useful for people who have orthodontic appliances in their mouths.
Are there any risk using water flossers?
Although water flossers have been around for several years, the water used in them is understudied. It’s important to make sure that your tap water doesn’t contain harmful bacteria or chemicals, which could be released when you use it with your new dental tool.
That’s why you should always use filtered or distilled water in your water flosser, especially if you have a compromised immune system. You can buy purified bottled water for this purpose.
Be sure to follow the instructions closely. The pressure of the fluid coming out of the device could cause damage to your mouth and gums if it’s set too high.
Conclusion
Using a water flosser is an excellent way to remove food particles that are trapped in your teeth. Water flossing can also be more effective than traditional string flossing because it has less impact on your gums.
Always use filtered or distilled water in your water flosser because bacteria and chemicals can get through the tap water.
When you clean your teeth, make sure to go carefully around braces and other dental appliances.
Change your water flosser tip regularly to get the best results, because dirty or worn out tips can make them less effective.