Benefits of Flossing With a Waterpik | Family Dentistry, Wichita, Kansas

Although water flossers are great additions to your dental care routine, they are not replacements for toothbrushes or traditional flossing techniques. If you have difficulties using traditional dental floss, have permanent braces or dental bridges, suffer from periodontal disease, or experience dry mouth, water flossers may benefit you. Our experts at Cambridge Family Dentistry in Wichita still recommend brushing your teeth twice daily and following up with a Waterpik. To use your Waterpik properly, follow the steps below:

1. Fill your Waterpik’s water reservoir with lukewarm water before putting the flosser tip in your mouth. It is best practice to lean over the sink while doing this to ensure you avoid making a mess.
2. Turn the nozzle of the Waterpik on and hold the handle at a 90-degree angle to your teeth. Spray the water at a steady rate to clean the hard-to-reach areas between your teeth and toward the back of your mouth.
3. Focus your efforts on the top of your teeth, the gum line, and the crevices between each tooth, remembering to clean the backs of your teeth as well.
4. Continue this process for around two minutes and empty any leftover water from the reservoir to avoid bacteria growth.

Did you know that dental floss dates back to prehistoric times? While it wasn’t officially patented until the 1800s and made popular following World War II, dental floss has transformed oral hygiene practices and helps reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay by cleaning between your teeth. As modern technology advances, the Waterpik’s creation has continued to transform oral hygiene practices among patients and offers added benefits that traditional flossing does not provide. Learn more about the benefits of utilizing a Waterpik daily below:

• Removes Plaque—Because plaque continuously forms around your teeth every minute of every day, brushing is often ineffective in eliminating bacteria buildup between teeth. The longer these specific areas go without a thorough cleaning, the more likely you are to develop gum disease, which is why it may be necessary for your oral health to purchase a Waterpik that combines high water pressure with consistent pulses to clean these hard-to-reach areas.
• Helps Reverse Gingivitis—If you are experiencing gum problems or have noticed inflamed and bleeding gums, it is likely caused by plaque buildup, which can be reversed by using a Waterpik. Not only will it help reverse gingivitis, but it will continue to promote great overall oral health!
• Easy To Use—At Cambridge Family Dentistry, we know that breaking bad habits is difficult, but if a new practice is found to be easy, it is likely that patients will stick with it. Using a Waterpik is incredibly easy, painless, and can make your daily dental hygiene routine more efficient.
• Great for Braces and Implants—Because the areas around braces, dental implants, and bridges are susceptible to germs and bacteria, exceptional dental care is vital for the success of your implant or dental bridge. A Waterpik is an easy way to ensure that you are being proactive about your oral hygiene and ensuring a beautiful and healthy smile!