There’s no substitute for regular visits to the dentist, but with the cost of medical procedures and check-ups rising, it’s important to try to take care of your teeth in between dentists visits and professional cleanings. We all love that just-left-the-dentist feeling after you get your teeth cleaned, but wouldn’t it be great if we could that same super clean feeling tending to our teeth at home as well?
Daily flossing is one way to prevent tooth decay and Gingivitis, traditional dental flossing isn’t always easy for everyone, especially if you have sensitive teeth and gums. It’s for this reason that water flossing has become increasingly popular amongst those looking for an alternative to conventional flossing as well as those looking to up-the-ante of their home dental care routine.
The new-age flossing technique is said to be more effective than traditional flossing and promises to give you that super clean teeth feeling every day. But how does it work exactly and is it worth splashing out on a water flosser for your home? I tried Waterpik’s Cordless Plus Water Flosser for 1 month to see if it’s worth ditching the old-school floss for this modern tool.
People with braces have been using water flossing devices for some time now, but these clever cleaners have recently become super popular with the general public as many started to realise that anyone could use (and potentially benefit from) using one at home.
But, is water flossing as effective as regular flossing?
The easy-to-use water flossing devices use a pressurised stream of water to easily and effectively remove food particles and plaque stuck between teeth and along the gum line, freeing you from the hassle of using conventional floss. According to Waterpik, using a Waterpik Water Flosser for 1 minute a day is clinically proven to remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas along the gum line and between teeth, and thereby help prevent, reduce, and reverse gingivitis (gum disease) and prevent tooth decay and future dental work.
While water flossing is extremely effective, most dentists will recommend that you use a combination of conventional floss and water flossing to really get the best results. Dentists will recommend brushing along with conventional flossing, followed by water flossing to ensure that any food particles are dislodged from the teeth.
Using the Waterpik Cordless Plus Water flosser
It took a little getting used to the device at first, but after I got the hang of using it, I quite enjoyed using the Waterpik Cordless Plus Water flosser every day. If you’re using a water flosser for the first time I highly recommend you do a little bit of research online to learn the proper technique before attempting to use your new device.
The device comes with 4 interchangeable tips, each with a different use. There’s the Classic Jet tip for general use, Plaque Seeker tip for removing plaque in hard-to-reach places (best for implants, crowns, veneers and bridges), Orthodontic tip for braces, and the Tongue cleaner tip to remove bacteria from the tongue.
I’ve been including water flossing in my daily dental routine for a month now and have noticed a real difference in the feel of my teeth. Using the Waterpik flosser I definitely feel like I get a more effective clean than I do when using conventional floss alone. My mouth feels noticeably cleaner after using it and it’s a lot more gentle on my gums and fillings than ordinary floss. I absolutely loathe flossing but this nifty gadget has made it easier to floss and after 1 minute my mouth feels squeaky clean and fresh.
While the device does a great job of cleaning, some days I did try out using a combination of traditional floss and the Waterpik flosser if needed a more thorough clean. I found that sometimes, stubborn food tends to stay behind when using the Waterpik flosser so using a combination of normal floss to loosen any stubborn particles and following up with the Waterpik to blast them away left my mouth feeling super clean.
Should you buy a water flosser?
Water flossers are a solid choice if you need help flossing effectively. In my experience, these devices are a great way to pick up the flossing habit and get an easier, more effective clean, especially for people who aren’t too keen on traditional flossing methods.
Waterpik offers a wide range of water flossers, but for me this cordless, rechargeable device is ideal. It’s relatively inexpensive and does the job perfectly well. This device is the perfect entry-level device for anyone who is hesitant about trying oral irrigators. If you’re looking for even more cleaning power, then you can invest in a more sophisticated model but for me, the Waterpik Cordless Plus Water Flosser is perfectly sufficient.
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