Dr. Paul C. Riley
Dr. Charles F. Ezelle
Find Us:
Patient Library
Find helpful information in our digital library.
Archive:
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Tags
- oral health (26)
- celebrity smiles (70)
- oral hygiene (16)
- orthodontics (9)
- tads (1)
- dental implants (15)
- cosmetic dentistry (6)
- dental emergency (3)
- clear aligners (1)
- furcation (1)
- pediatric dentistry (13)
- sealants (2)
- sinus surgery (1)
- missing tooth (1)
- replacing teeth (1)
- dental implant (2)
- dental exam (2)
- orthodontic treatment (15)
- braces (11)
- root canal (2)
- oral cancer (4)
- palatal expanders (1)
- wisdom teeth (4)
- medication (1)
- teeth whitening (3)
- dental injury (6)
- mouthguard (2)
- periodontal disease (2)
- gum disease (14)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- flossing (1)
- retainers (4)
- nightguard (1)
- grinding teeth (1)
- partial denture (2)
- bridge (1)
- crowns (4)
- laser dentistry (2)
- bonding (1)
- tooth pain (3)
- bad breath (2)
- gluten (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- chipped teeth (2)
- dental care (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- tooth decay (4)
- porcelain veneers (3)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- root canal treatment (9)
- nutrition (6)
- tooth extraction (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- gum recession (2)
- fluoride (1)
- mouthguards (5)
- pain management (1)
- toothache (2)
- thumb sucking (1)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- chipped tooth (4)
- teeth grinding (3)
- bruxism (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- bone grafting (1)
- veneers (2)
- cancer treatment (1)
- tooth loss (2)
- tooth replacement (1)
- retainer (1)
- cancer (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- bonded retainer (1)
- gerd (1)
- crown lengthening (1)
- extraction (1)
- pregnancy (1)
- dental visit (1)
- diabetes (1)
- osteoporosis (1)
- smile makeover (1)
- dentures (1)
- loose tooth (1)
- dry socket (1)
- dental injuries (1)
Categories:
Is Traditional Flossing too Difficult? Consider Water Flossing
A critical part of effective, daily oral hygiene, flossing removes bacterial plaque from between teeth that can’t be accessed with brushing. Unfortunately, it’s often neglected — string flossing requires a bit more dexterity than brushing and can be difficult to do properly.
It can be even more difficult for people with implants or who wear orthodontic appliances. For brace wearers in particular, getting access to areas between teeth with string floss is next to impossible; the metal brackets and tension wire also have a tendency to catch and retain food debris that’s difficult to remove with brushing alone.
Water flossing, using a device called an oral irrigator, is an effective alternative that addresses many of these difficulties. First available for home use in the 1960s, an oral irrigator delivers pulsating water at high pressure through a handheld applicator that forcefully flushes material from between teeth.
There’s no question that string flossing is effective in plaque removal between teeth — but what about oral irrigators? A 2008 study looked at a group of orthodontic patients with braces who used oral irrigators and compared them with a similar group that only brushed. The study found that five times as much plaque was removed in the group using the oral irrigators as opposed to the group only brushing.
Oral irrigators may also be effective for people who’ve developed periodontal (gum) disease. In fact, oral irrigators coupled with ultra-sound devices are routinely used by dental hygienists to remove plaque and calculus (hardened plaque deposits) in periodontal patients. As with regular oral hygiene, though, it’s important for patients with gum disease to include water flossing with daily brushing (at least twice a day) and regular cleaning sessions at the dentist to ensure removal of all plaque and calculus.
If you’re interested in using an oral irrigator, be sure to consult with us at your next appointment. Not only can we recommend features to look for in equipment, but we can also instruct you on the techniques to make water flossing an effective plaque remover.
If you would like more information on water flossing, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Cleaning Between Your Teeth.”