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Which Is Better: Traditional Floss or Water Flossers

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Which Is Better: Traditional Floss or Water Flossers
Posted on 06/11/2018
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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. While we may know how important flossing is, some simply don’t do it enough whether it be because of time or you simply forget.

You may wonder which is better: dental floss or a water flosser. Getting input from your Macon family and cosmetic dentist is always a good idea. It’s also helpful to know where each one excels and where each one falls short. To help our patients and others in Macon who are thinking about purchasing a water flosser, here’s what you should know

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. Floss has been a go-to for years and here’s why.

Floss 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

Floss Cons:

  • If you have even the mildest form of gum disease, flossing can cause minor bleeding, especially if not done regularly
  • Can be difficult to use by some people like young kids and people with arthritis
  • Can be difficult to use when cleaning around braces, non-removable bridgework, crowns or dental implants

Water Flossers Pros & Cons

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, it takes much less time than traditional flossing does. Here’s the breakdown on water flossers.

Water Flosser Pros

  • Easy to use, even for 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, unless severe gum disease has set in
  • Works great cleaning around braces, non-removable bridgework, crowns, and dental implants

Water Flosser 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
  • Doesn't remove plaque at the contact point between teeth as well as floss

Contact Macon Smiles Today!

At Macon Smiles Laser & Cosmetic Family Dentistry, we want the best oral health for all our patients. While regularly brushing and flossing are a great start, you still have to visit your Macon dentist every six months. If you have any questions about water flossers or would like to make an appointment, give us a call at (478) 757-8714 and we will be happy to answer any of your questions your make your next appointment today!

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