Water flosser vs standard floss?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Merely

Merely

Membership Revoked
Removed
10+ Year Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
1,631
Reaction score
1,468
I have found virtually no objective info on this online so I am very curious to hear from the experts here regarding the effectiveness of the water pik flosser. I am seriously considering buying one (like 60 bucks) but before I do I would like to know how effective it is, is it a substitute for standard floss, or is it just an adjunct to flossing and brushing, or is it just unnecessary for most people and I shouldn't buy it? Thanks for the info everyone!
Members don't see this ad.
 
As an orthodontics resident, I always advise my patients' parents to buy a waterpik for their whole family. The braces tend to accumulate plaque around the brackets (both underneath and behind the elastic ties) which can lead to white spot lesions (pain in the butt to treat cavities). I advise it as an adjunct to flossing since I believe doing both can greatly benefit the patient's oral health, but most kids/teens suck at flossing, so I just say use the waterpik everyday. It does WONDERS and kids love using it. Totally worth the price in my opinion, and there are different tips you can buy so that other people can use it too.
 
Thank you for this response, looking forward to more insight since I have heard many dentists say it's unnecessary and I'm not sure why that would be the case.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Waterpiks are usually seen as complementary to manual flossing, but if you have to choose 1 I think floss. Waterpiks don't create the same amount of friction against the smooth surface of the sides of the teeth to remove plaque adequately
 
I guarantee you there is research on this subject. Periodontists love to research stuff like this. Go to google scholar and type in just what you asked into the search bar; "periodontal disease, gum health, waterpik, dental flossing, efficacy" or some variation thereof.
 
asdf0987 said:
Waterpiks are usually seen as complementary to manual flossing, but if you have to choose 1 I think floss. Waterpiks don't create the same amount of friction against the smooth surface of the sides of the teeth to remove plaque adequately
Click to expand...

A friend told me about a new product called Jetpik that is similar to a Waterpik but it has an actual pulsating floss cartridge. It seems like the pulsating floss can create friction that is missing in the Waterpik.
 
Last edited:
Waterpik is good at getting large crap out from between your teeth. But it won't get everything that floss will get and it's not going to go into the sulcus to get small plaque deposits out. If you have to pick one, stick with the floss. It's more efficient and leads to better results.
 
Floss is better. Thats what we were taught in perio class but I'm too lazy to pull up the ppt to find the source. Either trust me or go search it yourself.
 
Really it is what ever the patient will use. If a patient is flossing regularly then that is fine. If they hate to floss, suggest a waterpik and see if they will do it then. There are also airflossers that many like better than the waterpik because it is smaller and doesn't need a tank. It really doesn't matter which is better, what matters is that your patient is flossing with something.
 
Merely said:
I have found virtually no objective info on this online so I am very curious to hear from the experts here regarding the effectiveness of the water pik flosser. I am seriously considering buying one (like 60 bucks) but before I do I would like to know how effective it is, is it a substitute for standard floss, or is it just an adjunct to flossing and brushing, or is it just unnecessary for most people and I shouldn't buy it? Thanks for the info everyone!
Click to expand...


Through experience.

Waxed dental floss is perfect for an individual with all natural teeth, and no crowns or bridges.

But the water pik is great stuff for the person who has an implant, bridge or crown restorations, or mild to heavy perio problems..... Along with floss...


I have seen patients come in with large amounts of calculus all through out he mouth... And after getting a thorough cleaning and 2 weeks of waterpiking... Gums were so unrecognizable compared with initial visit with the build up.... And bleeding was almost near nothing!



Water pik is super.... As an assistant I always tell patients about waterpik.... Especially ortho....
 
We were taught that Waterpik could never be a substitute for floss. However, it does wonders for ortho and perio/implant patients. I often see recession in patients that use it and my theory is that the users often feel the urge to turn up the intensity gradually through time because their gingiva becomes sensitized to the water pressure and they do not feel "clean" with the intensity they started with. I mean, it could also mean a reduction in inflammation for that matter. Who knows, I still prefer manual floss.
 
Since 50%+ of people refuse to floss on a regular basis maybe encouraging water flossing isn't a bad thought. Another point to be made is that string floss is simply relocating the bacteria. Water flossing does a good job at cleaning out gum pockets that often get neglected.
 
If you don't floss its better than nothing. But flossing is better than the waterpik.
 
Here's my 2cents. The fundamental issue is plaque is a biofilm - not dissimilar to say soap scum in the shower. No amount of pressure exerted by a handheld appliance is going to replicate the mechanical debridement you get from flossing or using interdental brushes properly. I only recommend using it if you are time poor and already have one, but as an adjunct and not a replacement to normal interdental aids.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  1. We just got a jetpik and the Waterpik. I got to say the jetpik is a lot better a powerful then the traditional floss and the Waterpik. 🙂
 
Waterpik does not work. Used it for a month, absolutely no effect
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top