A habit that you should keep up with for your oral health is flossing. In fact, it’s one of the best things you can do for your smile as it cleans out bacteria in places your toothbrush can’t reach. While traditional floss is the tried-and-true method, water flossers have started to become more popular. But is one better than the other? Here’s what you need to know to benefit your grin in the long run.
How Effective is Traditional Floss?
In short, dental floss is a reliable way to clean out between your teeth. This thread is designed to get into these spaces after all and clear out plaque and food debris. It’s easy to find and have on the go, all while being affordable. When you use it correctly, you can avoid oral health issues like cavities and gum disease, plus bad breath!
While it may be great for your smile, there are some downsides to it. Some people might have trouble holding it or using it with their braces or restorations like bridges. Because it might be a bit difficult, many tend to skip this step entirely or quickly do it without proper technique. It’s also possible to be too aggressive and irritate your gums.
What’s So Great About Water Flossers?
Water flossers have become popular because they use a steady stream of pulsating water to clean bacteria and food particles. Just like above, they are effective against dental problems and bad breath as they are helpful in getting into hard-to-reach areas.
That means people with braces or restorations might have a better time with this handy tool. Not only that, but they are easy to use and hold in general. The only learning curve people typically have is finding their preferred power setting and water temperature.
However, these products often require power or batteries to function. This makes them a bit more difficult to use while you’re out and about. They are also more costly, while potentially being a bit messy if you aren’t careful.
So, Should I Use Traditional Floss or a Water Flosser?
In the end, both options are great choices for your oral health. Each is effective when used properly and has its own pros and cons. If you have no issues with traditional floss and are great at it, then there may be no need to switch. If you struggle a bit more with this habit or avoid it, then a water flosser can make it more convenient and easier. Finding which one you will consistently use can help you take a step toward the stronger smile you deserve.
About the Practice
At Dental Center of Lakewood, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Travis Spillman and Dr. Jacquelyn Green. We are dedicated to helping the Dallas community throughout their oral health journey by being proactive about dental problems. By having checkups and cleanings, we can catch warning signs and give you advice on how to better your at-home routine. If you want more tips on how to care for your grin, schedule an appointment or call our office at (214) 823-5253.