Dentists- Is Waterpik just as effective as flossing?

[cransplash]

DH wants to get a Waterpik but I want to get some feedback as to if they are just as effective as regular flossing?
Any pros/cons of using a Waterpik?

[lime]

sequins - thoughts?

[jackie011]

My hygienist said they're great to use in addition to regular floss, but not in place of flossing. DH bought me one for Christmas a few years back (I asked for it!) and I've used it only a few times. It's messy and takes up space on the counter. A box of floss is much tidier!

[sequins]

Some dentists swear by it and others don't. I personally think regular floss works perfectly well and unless your DH has really severe gingivitis, he can get by with just regular floss.

[h]

I think someone asked about Waterpiks awhile back, and caramia said that they should not replace regular flossing. My recollection could be off, though.

[sicilygirl]

My dentist recommended it to me at my last visit. I have used it everyday since I got it, and I really like it. I have a really hard time using regular floss because my teeth are so close together, so I only use the Waterpik. He also said it would help with some gum issues I recently started having.

[FrozenSunshine]

My dentist recommended it to me because I have permanent retainers and trying to guide regular floss through is a bitch. Two dentist now have said they see great improvements in that area, so I'm guessing it's because something is better than nothing. Even the dentist and hygienist have a hell of a time with how close my teeth got with retainers.

[cransplash]

Darn, it is hard for me to justify getting a Waterpik knowing it may not be as effective as regular flossing....

[h]

Okay, I found the past thread I was thinking of, but it looks like it was yours, too, so I am sure you are already aware of it: pandce.proboards.com/thread/290299/waterpik-water-flosser?page=1#post-5482416

This seems to caramia's professional opinion:

"So, flossing (or use of interdental brushes--little bottle-like brushes--for larger spaces) is best for removal of plaque interproximally. Plaque is a biofilm (think algae slime inside a garden hose/at the bottom of a fountain) and mechanical disruption is the only way to remove the film.

If you can't or won't floss, a Waterpik can be helpful as an intermediate effort. Maybe try alternating flossing and Waterpik every other night. Research shows that meticulous plaque removal every 48h is enough to keep gingivitis at bay. The thing is, most of us are not perfect (present company included) with our hygiene efforts, so brushing /flossing more often is necessary. "

I don't see any harm in using floss and a Waterpik, but I also don't think a Waterpik is necessary for most people--just one more thing to take up counter space. I definitely would not abandon flossing in favor of a Waterpik absent some reason you can't floss.

[cransplash]

h- thanks for the link. I completely forgot I had asked about it!

[cransplash]

h- thanks for the link. I completely forgot I had asked about it!

[megstoo]

My dentist recommended this last year and I'm glad I bought it. It's made a HUGE difference for me. I don't use regular floss anymore - just the water pic and then I brush my teeth.

[megstoo]

My dentist recommended this last year and I'm glad I bought it. It's made a HUGE difference for me. I don't use regular floss anymore - just the water pic and then I brush my teeth.

[Deleted]

My dentist recommends that I do the following (in order): brush, waterpik, and then floss. I do this routine twice a day.

[BioNerd]

smileyface I bet your smile is gorgeous if that's your daily routine!

When I was a dental assistant in a past life we advised patients to use a WaterPik for gum stimulation, but not in place of flossing. Our patients who used one regularly would come in with the most beautiful pink gums.

[Deleted]

Jul 31, 2014 18:17:23 GMT -5 BioNerd said:

smileyface I bet your smile is gorgeous if that's your daily routine!

When I was a dental assistant in a past life we advised patients to use a WaterPik for gum stimulation, but not in place of flossing. Our patients who used one regularly would come in with the most beautiful pink gums.

Gum stimulation - That's exactly why it was recommended to me!

[Deleted]

Jul 31, 2014 18:40:34 GMT -5 @juno said:

Jul 31, 2014 11:15:49 GMT -5 smileyface said:

My dentist recommends that I do the following (in order): brush, waterpik, and then floss. I do this routine twice a day.

I've always wondered about this!  It doesn't make sense to me to brush THEN floss.  Doesn't it make more sense to get everything out from in between there then brush it away??  But the hygienist always does it the other way, so I guess my intuition must be wrong, but I don't know why.  I'm flossing/brushing 3+ times a day now because I started Invisalign a few weeks ago.  It sucks.

Same here - apparently the brushing loosens anything that might be caught in between your teeth! How do you like invisalign?

[cransplash]

Aug 1, 2014 4:06:23 GMT -5 smileyface said:

Jul 31, 2014 18:40:34 GMT -5 @juno said:

I've always wondered about this!  It doesn't make sense to me to brush THEN floss.  Doesn't it make more sense to get everything out from in between there then brush it away??  But the hygienist always does it the other way, so I guess my intuition must be wrong, but I don't know why.  I'm flossing/brushing 3+ times a day now because I started Invisalign a few weeks ago.  It sucks.

Same here - apparently the brushing loosens anything that might be caught in between your teeth! How do you like invisalign?

Another person who always flossed then brushed. But you are right- my dentist always brushes, then flosses.

[caramia17]

Sorry I didn't get these pages, my SN has numbers after!

A Waterpik is a good adjunct to flossing, but not a floss replacement. PM me if you have more questions!

[cransplash]

Aug 1, 2014 7:10:12 GMT -5 caramia17 said:

Sorry I didn't get these pages, my SN has numbers after!

A Waterpik is a good adjunct to flossing, but not a floss replacement. PM me if you have more questions!

I would have thought WATERPIK+ flossing would be overkill but I guess not....