Has someone you know mentioned using a water flosser instead of dental floss? If so, you may be feeling like there’s been a secret about dental hygiene you wish you’d known all along. Then again, you may be wondering if this news is too good to be true. As a matter of fact, this option for cleaning between teeth is actually a very relevant and often useful possibility. To help you sort out the details, we offer up a quick Q&A session.
Questions and Answers
Question: What’s a water flosser? I’m not really sure what it looks like or how it works.
Answer: This dental hygiene option is an instrument that can clean between teeth without the use of tape or floss. Instead, it relies on water. You can expect to see a wand (through which a strong stream of water flows) and usually a basin that holds water. You can then guide the water between and around teeth.
Question: Is it okay to use a water flosser instead of dental floss? How do I know if it’s working?
Answer: As a matter of fact, this is perfectly fine for your dental hygiene, provided you are thorough and you are able to remove sufficient plaque and food from between teeth. The American Dental Association even gives it the thumbs up! You can find out if it’s working by coming in for your checkups (we will examine you and let you know).
Question: Are there any added benefits of choosing water over floss? What if I like my dental floss?
Answer: If you like your usual floss and it works for you, there is no reason to change. However, if you find that you do not like flossing, you find it uncomfortable, or you are having trouble as a result of a bridge or other device, you may wish to try a new option.
