Water flossers are unique machines that use the power of water to remove plaque, food debris, and bacteria from the mouth. For people with braces, or for people who don’t like flossing their teeth the traditional way, water flossers like the infamous Waterpik has provided an alternative solution for healthier teeth. One of the biggest doubts people face when considering these fantastic machines is whether or not the costs of a Waterpik are worth more than spending money on traditional floss. 

How Do Water Flossers Work 

Water flossers, also called oral irrigators, were developed in the 1960s and then popularized in the 1990s by WaterPik Technologies. Water Flossers combine water pressure and pulsations to go in between the gum line and teeth to clean away harmful food debris and plaque. So do they work? Studies from the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry have studied the effects of water flossers on the surfaces of resin-based composites. The study concluded that water flossers are safe for composite restorations, but should not use those water flossers on the highest settings, as those settings can cause some degradation of the tooth surface. Water flossers such as WaterPik can help assist people in caring for their teeth, and according to WaterPik, they have been shown to remove 99.9% of plaque from treated teeth areas. 

Why Choose a Water Flosser For Cleaning Your Teeth

Today, over 90% of people in the United States have at least one cavity, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Dentists who constantly recommend brushing and flossing often face these serious statistics. Today’s generation of people suffering from poor oral health needs more solutions for correcting their bites, restoring their mouths, and cleaning their teeth in more affordable, habitual ways that can benefit their dental needs better. Water flossers can provide those who often have poor oral hygiene an alternative way of caring for their teeth. Water flossers can provide people with many benefits, including: 

• Easier Cleaning Methods – Water flossers offer an easier format for cleaning in between the teeth due to the water pressure exerted from the machine. Water flossers can be an excellent source of flossing for children unaccustomed to flossing, disabled people who struggle with flossing their teeth, and people with braces who need better methods of cleaning. 
• Clean Areas Often Unreachable – For people with misaligned teeth, traditional flossing methods can make cleaning more difficult and can lead to the development of cavities even with good oral habits. Water flossers can reach in between those areas that are often difficult to reach and provide people with misaligned teeth or with braces a better approach to their oral health care. 
• Protect Against Gum Disease – Water flossers not only clean in between the teeth but also help to remove debris and bacteria throughout the gums, and thus reduces the chances of developing gum disease. The gums can be just as affected by bacteria and plaque, and gum inflammation can cause worrying long-term health concerns such as heart disease and diabetes due to the mouth’s direct connection to the body.