Both flossing and using a Waterpik have many great benefits.
In many situations it depends on the person and the condition of their mouth.
If patients are doing an effective job with floss they should continue using
floss. However, some patients have areas that are hard to reach with floss or
the patient may have dexterity issues. For patients who have braces, bridges,
implants or have gum disease the Waterpik benefits them a great amount in hard
to reach areas. The water stream has a
pulsating action that allows plaque biofilm to be removed and it is easier to
maneuver the water stream into these areas than it is the floss. The water
stream should be moved along each tooth at the gum line for a full 5 seconds to
be effective in removing the plaque biofilm.
Patients with braces, bridges,
implants and gum disease usually have to use floss threaders to be able to
floss around each tooth. This is a very time consuming and difficult process.
There are specially designed inserts for the Waterpik with brushes on the end
to allow these areas to be cleaned around quickly and easily without having to
thread floss through the teeth. Patients with gum disease will have areas of
bone loss and recession leaving large spaces in-between all their teeth making
it hard to clean the area effectively with a thin piece of floss. The water
actually works by flushing these spaces with a thick stream of water clearing
out all the plaque and food particles.
People that have dexterity
limitations are recommended to use a Waterpik. Men can have troubles due to
having large hands, elderly people could have difficulty using their hands from
arthritis or other ailments, and small children have not developed the motor
skills needed to maneuver floss throughout the mouth. Many of these patients cannot effectively
remove the plaque in their mouth with floss alone. The Waterpik allows them to
only have to insert a small tip into the back of their mouth giving them much
better coverage of all their teeth. Using floss can be very tedious and takes a
high level of motor skills to use in the mouth. The Waterpik has a large handle
that is easier to grip and is much like using a power toothbrush. This allows
more area to grip for the patient and a lower level of motor skill is needed to
remove plaque on the teeth.
Ideally it is recommended to use
floss and a Waterpik; however, for some this is very difficult. As long as a
patient is working hard at home and coming in to see their dentist regularly
they should have great results with either method. It may take time and effort
on the Dentist and patient’s part but eventually, together, they can come up
with a home routine that fits each individual patient the best. There is not a
“Cookie Cutter” answer; therefore, it strictly depends on each person as an
individual
Visit Paducah Dental Care to learn more!
