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Everybody knows that flossing is important to good oral health. While brushing removes plaque and food from the tooth surfaces, flossing finishes up the job by removing hidden plaque, bacteria, and food particles that get stuck between the teeth and under the gum line.

You may wonder which is better: dental floss or a water pick water flosser. Getting input from your Liverpool family dentist is always a good idea. It’s also helpful to understand the differences and similarities between floss and a water pick so you can decide which option will be most beneficial for you.

Floss: Pros and Cons

Flossing involves sliding a string-like material between the teeth to remove plaque and food particles that brushing leaves behind. There are many variations of dental floss to choose from such as thick & thin floss, waxed & unwaxed floss and even floss that’s flavored.

Pros:

• Easy to use and cheap to buy
• Does a good job of removing plaque, bacteria, and bits of from between teeth and under the gum line
• Comes in different thicknesses, coatings, and flavors
• Can be used without electricity or water
• Easy to take along with you

Cons:

• Flossing can cause minor bleeding, especially if not done regularly
• Can worsen gum sensitivity or cause it
• Can be difficult to use by some people like young kids and people with arthritis
• Not ideal for cleaning around braces, non-removable bridgework, crowns or dental implants

Water Pick: Pros & Cons

A water pick, also known as a water flosser or oral irrigator, is a small, handheld device that shoots a stream of pulsating, pressured water to remove plaque and food debris from between teeth and under the gum line. In addition to being easy to use, the massaging action of the pressurized water can improve gum health, which is a real bonus!

Pros

• Easy to use, even for kids and people with arthritis
• Effectively removes plaque, bacteria, and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line
• The massaging action stimulates gum tissue for better gum health
• Doesn’t cause the gums to bleed
• Works great cleaning around braces, non-removable bridgework, crowns, and dental implants

Cons:

• Costs considerably more than floss
• Requires electricity and water, making it a challenge to use outside the home
• Not as portable as floss
• Can make a mess with water spraying everywhere if not used correctly

What Our Liverpool Cosmetic & Family Dentist Has To Say

Dr. Saini would like everyone to know that both dental floss and water picks do a good job of cleaning between the teeth and under the gum line. Therefore, she recommends using the one that best works for you. If you can’t decide between a water pick and floss, consider using both so you can remove as much plaque and food as you can!

At Mapleridge Children & Adult Dentistry, we stress the importance of good oral hygiene to our patients because optimal oral health begins with doing a great job of cleaning your teeth and gums. If you have any oral hygiene questions for our family and kids dentist in Liverpool, NY, please give us a call at (315) 453-2084 and we’ll do our best to answer them!