In recent years, water flossers have become popular alternatives to string floss when it comes to getting in between those tight spaces in your teeth! Water flossers use a stream of water aimed at your teeth to remove food debris and bacteria while traditional floss requires that you move the string in and out of every space between teeth to achieve this desired effect. When it comes to flossing, is water floss or regular floss better? We look at the pros and cons of each!
Water Floss Easily Removes Food
Water floss tends to be very effective at removing food particles, but many dentists feel that this method of flossing isn’t quite as effective as using regular floss. This is because while the stream of water removes the food and some bacteria, it doesn’t essentially scrape away plaque in the same way that regular floss does in those places your toothbrush can’t reach!
Regular Floss Better at Removing Plaque
Regular floss essentially removes plaque from your teeth when you’re moving the floss in and out of the tight spaces and around your gumline. This is a benefit that water floss doesn’t provide. Although regular floss tends to be trickier to use, especially for kids or for those who have very little space in- between their teeth, it can provide a more thorough plaque and food removal.
Water Floss Easier for Braces
Water floss can be easier for those who have traditional metal braces. If you’ve had braces, you know that you need a special tool in order to get the floss underneath the wire of your braces in order to floss properly. Water floss may motivate kids and teens who have braces to floss because it’s easier and can help them to feel like their mouths are cleaner with water floss!
Regular Floss Is Cheaper
Regular floss beats water floss any day when it comes to price. This is because regular floss only costs a few dollars at the most, while water flossers can be $50 or more! Water flossers also require an electrical outlet and take up more space than traditional floss, therefore being more inconvenient and difficult to take with you when you travel. Regular floss is smaller, cheaper, and fits easily in a suitcase, travel bag, and even your purse!
So Which Is Better?
When it comes to water floss and regular floss, regular flossing offers more benefits and is more trusted by dentists around the world. Traditional floss helps to remove plaque from tight spaces in addition to trapped food and bacteria around the gum line. Although water floss can motivate some people to floss and is generally easier for those with braces, it’s not a cost-friendly or convenient option and can quickly become to burdensome to use.
Regardless of which floss you choose, just be sure to use it! Water flossing is better than no flossing at all. You should try to floss at least once a day. Talk with your dentist about which type of floss is best for you to use—there are many different options for traditional floss! Whether you’d like dental tape for wider gaps or traditional string floss for tight gaps, flossing goes hand-in- hand with brushing for a healthy smile!
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