A water flosser can be a fantastic alternative to flossing with a traditional comb.

Our Menlo Park dentist believes that water flossing can assist patients in getting into a habit of flossing daily. She advises her patients that traditional floss could ineffectively pass through gums that are damaged or create large pockets in the gumline without getting rid of any debris, thus hindering the goal of flossing.

What is a Water Flosser?

Waterpik is the most well-known brand for a flosser, also known as an oral irrigator. It directs the forceful flow from the water via a specially designed tip directly into your mouth.

The force of water expressed in pounds for every square inch (PSI) can dislodge and cleanses food particles, plaque, and bacteria accumulated on the gum line and the teeth.

Each water flosser has the capacity to hold mouthwash or water, along with an electric motor that powers the pump.

There are two kinds of flossers for water: portable and countertops.

Countertop Water Flosser

The Waterpiks are set on your bathroom counter and connected to the electrical outlets. They have a large reservoir that can hold enough water to last up to one minute of usage or more. Most water flossers on the market offer a range of pressure settings. Some come with flow control to regulate the flow of water.

Portable Water Flosser

These Waterpiks operate on batteries, both traditional and rechargeable The latter model with a small base that allows to recharge during cleaning.

A water flosser with a cordless option can be useful when traveling or for bathrooms that don't have a lot of counter space. These alternatives are not well-known for their power in flossing or the numerous pressure settings included with the countertop models.

Portable water flossers come with the capacity of a small reservoir with enough mouthwash or water for between 30 and 45 seconds of usage.

 

What are the Benefits of Water Flossing?

Water flossers can be great for helping patients get into the habit of flossing at least once every day, as the American Dental Association (ADA) suggested.

Water flossing requires less power and dexterity than string flossing, making it a good alternative for those suffering from mobility impairment or arthritis.

Toothbrush bristles, including electric toothbrushes, aren't big enough to be effective in restricted spaces. Therefore, the ADA suggests flossing.

A Waterpik is particularly effective in reaching difficult-to-access areas in the mouth. It is also effective for tightly spaced teeth, as well as periodontal pockets that are associated with gum disease.

The Waterpik website suggests starting with the back teeth and moving towards forwarding teeth. Continue moving through the stream of water until you've taken care of both your lower and upper teeth inside and out to ensure that you have a completely well-maintained mouth.

 

What is the Best Portable Waterpik?

When you've transitioned between traditional flossing and a Water flosser, you might wonder if you can find a portable version of your current countertop Waterpik.

A cordless portable water flosser is available in two styles: a one-piece design or a cordless countertop model.

The former model resembles an oversized electric toothbrush, whereas this is the miniature version of the models used on countertops.

Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser

This all-in-one Waterpik cordless advanced is perfect for braces-wearing teens or those with many counters in their bathrooms due to the ease of storing the bathroom cabinet or medicine drawer.

It's also light that weighs less than one pound, which makes it ideal for both homes and on the go. It can be used for water flossing with pressures of as high as 75 PSI.

Here are a few of the alternatives you can choose from. If you want the most effective water flosser to meet your needs, we suggest checking out Waterpik's website. Waterpik website.

Waterpik Water Flosser for Braces

One of the main concerns for patients wearing braces is stained teeth.

The reason for stained teeth is tooth decay, tobacco products, and eating high-pigmented or acidic food and drinks.

The braces stain appears like white marks on the teeth around or directly under where the braces brackets used to be.

White spots on teeth result from tooth decalcification, an early indicator of tooth decay. Brackets allow bacteria and plaque more areas to hide should they not be removed; plaque releases acid that can erode tooth enamel. This causes the loss of minerals, referred to as decalcification.

How to Prevent Staining Teeth from Braces

A healthy diet low in sugar and simple carbs can provide some protection; good oral hygiene is the most effective defense.

If you use a toothbrush and regular floss, you might not be able to get into all areas of your brackets. That's where the white spots often show up.

A water flosser can reach into the tight spaces around your brackets, between teeth, and along your gumline, ensuring that there isn't any plaque left behind, thus preventing staining from braces.

Routine & Preventative Dental Care Services from Menlo Park Dentists

Here at Marisa Walker, DDS prevention-based dentistry is one of our most important goals.

Regularly scheduled professional dental cleanings and check-ups help prevent the buildup of tartar and cavities. It also helps protect against the development of severe and costly issues like gum decay and gum disease.

Dentist Menlo Park provides the most effective techniques and simple-to-use technology to keep your gums and teeth in good form between appointments.

 

Dr. Marisa Walker, D.D.S.

150 Middlefield Rd #101, Menlo Park, CA 94025

(650) 328-2072