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Everyone can agree that flossing is an essential step in maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but it’s not always the step that everyone looks forward to. Many dentists understand the stress of that upcoming dental appointment where you flossed like crazy a week before, hoping your gums won’t bleed at your appointment so that we will think you’ve been flossing regularly since your last visit. Maybe you floss regularly, but we understand it’s not always the most comfortable or pleasant task.
Whether you enjoy flossing or not, if you want a healthy mouth, it’s an important part of your daily dental routine. Brushing your teeth cleans the surface areas, but it’s ineffective for cleaning between the teeth where bacteria can calcify, turn to tartar, and lead to inflammation and possible gum disease. Luckily, with new technologies being introduced, there is now more than one way to ensure that these interdental surfaces are being cleaned. We now have a choice between string flossing or water flossing with a Waterpik – but what are the pros and cons of both methods, and which is best?
String Flossing:
String flossing involves using a strand of string (18 inches is recommended by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association) and passing it between each of your teeth, gently scraping the sides of the teeth to help remove plaque and food debris off the surface and under the gumline. You want to wrap it in a “C” shape against the tooth and under the gums, which can be tricky and slightly uncomfortable in some areas.
Pros:
- String flossing is a very effective method of removing food debris from between teeth.
- The cost of string floss is very low, and this type of floss is easily accessible at nearly any store.
- The container takes up minimal room and can be carried anywhere. You’ll be able to floss anywhere and anytime you want!
Cons:
- Reaching certain areas of the mouth may be difficult, especially for people with mobility issues or arthritis.
- String flossing can cause sensitive gums to bleed, especially if you don’t have the proper technique down.
- Using the same area of string between multiple sets of teeth could actually lead to the distribution of bacteria and food debris from one set to another.
Water Flossing:
Flossing with a Waterpik utilizes a pressurized stream of pulsating water to clean away bacteria, plaque and food particles in between your teeth and under the gumline. This type of flossing requires much less coordination as you simply hold the device over the surface you want to clean and let the water do the work.
Pros:
- Water flossing is a better option for people with braces, non-removable bridgework, crowns, or dental implants, since the water can get into those hard-to-reach areas.
- People who suffer from arthritis or mobility issues may find using a waterpik easier than maneuvering with string floss.
- Waterpiks are less painful options for people with sensitive gums, and may help reduce the bleeding of gums.
- Water flossing typically takes less time than string flossing.
Cons:
- Water flossers can be pretty expensive – some running upwards of $100.
- Ease of use is a concern with water flossing as it requires electricity or the ability to charge and access to water to be used. It also requires more storage room than string floss.
- Since water is involved, water flossing can get quite messy and you’ll want to make sure you’re doing it over a sink to catch all the water splashing out of your mouth.
Now that we know the advantages and disadvantages of both types of flossing, which is better? While the American Dental Hygienists’ Association recommends water flossing over string, and waterpiks are widely regarded as being the better method to reduce gum bleeding and gingivitis, there is still a case for string flossing. The Mayo Clinic and other sources claim that water flossers are still not as effective at removing plaque between teeth, and they do not recommend replacing string floss with water flossing.
The Simply Smiles verdict – go with whichever method you’ll stick with on a consistent, daily basis. There are benefits to each method, but the most important thing is that you ARE flossing. Along with brushing and flossing daily, be sure to keep up with your regular dental checkups. Call our office to make an appointment today, and we can let you know if your preferred method is working, and also help you work on your technique to make sure you are getting the most out of your flossing sessions!
Sources:
https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/why-oral-b/floss/water-flossers-vs-string-floss
https://www.hinsdaledental.com/blog/water-flosser-versus-string-dental-floss/
https://www.tompkinsdental.com/blog/traditional-dental-floss-vs-water-flossers
https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-water-flossing-better-than-string-flossing-4137725
https://spiritdental.com/blog/categories/dental-health/water-flosser-vs-string-floss
https://teethtalkgirl.com/videos/truth-about-water-flossers
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/waterpik-vs-flossing#takeaway