Your oral health is imperative, yet many don’t take it as seriously as they should and tend to rush their
routines of a morning and evening, not giving any thought to what they’re actually doing. it’s also very
important right now as there is limited dental activity so to avoid toothaches and gum issues this should
be done regularly. One dental tool which have become increasingly more popular recently are dental
flossers, much like normal floss they work to help keep your teeth and gums healthy and free from debris.

Here, Renata Lainchbury, Dental Hygienist at the Ipswich Dental Surgery reveals everything you need to
know about water flossers.

What is a water flosser?
“A water flosser which is also known as an oral irrigator is a device that shoots a stream of water between
your teeth and gums and works to remove any food debris, bacteria and plaque from the pesky areas inbetween your teeth that are hard to get at with regular floss.

The best oral irrigators feature a number of different settings, so you can adjust water pressure to suit your
mouth and sensitivity. They’re a super gentle yet effective way to clean around the teeth, braces, dental
implants and crowns without damaging any of these areas. People who would benefit most from
purchasing a water flosser are those who struggle with dental floss, flossing is an effective way to remove
food particles from teeth however if a person rushes the process they could cause damage to their gums
from aggressive flossing. Improper flossing can cause gum tissue damage. Water flossers are much gentler
and less focussed on technique, and don’t need you to put your hands in your mouth or deal with the
awkwardness of string floss. as they only use water to remove food, in some instances they are more
effective as they are somewhat quicker and hassle free and can be used each morning and evening.”

Are there different types of water flossers?
There are a few different types of flossers you can get, countertop, which sits on your counter and plugs
into a nearby socket, cordless or battery operated, providing great flexibility for those who travel or who
want to floss on the go, shower flossers, these attach to your shower head so you can floss before or after
flossing, and faucet, the most common type which is similar to the shower flosser but uses a cord that
attaches to your sink as oppose to your shower. Most water flossers offer adjustable pressure settings which
is good for those who suffer with sensitive gums or implants. This allows the water to continue to clean out
the mouth without harming the gums.”

Who should use a water flosser?
“Water flossers should not be used as a substitute for brushing and flossing but they are a great tool to add
into your dental routine. There are a few people who would benefit most from a water flosser. Those with
bleeding gums, flossing too hard can cause bleeding gums so oral irrigators are a great alternative to this.
Those with braces. When you have braces it can be incredibly hard to reach every bit of debris stuck within
the braces and underneath the wires. Water flossers reach those areas where food particles tend to hide, it
also manages to remove plaque in areas that it would normally sit due to not being able to reach with a
brush or floss. Dry Mouth. Saliva naturally cleans your mouth and prevents and plaque build-up, many
people do not produce enough saliva naturally which can promote gum issues and cavities, so an oral
irrigator is a good way to add moisture to a dry mouth and remove any stubborn plaque. If you are prone
to having food stuck in your teeth, this is also a great option for you. Many people often have food stuck in
their teeth after eating which is usually because of the shape of their teeth or because they are not properly
aligned, this is not only annoying for the person but can promote dental issues if the food is left for hours
without being removed.”

What to look for in a water flossers?
“When shopping for a water flosser you have to take into consideration your lifestyle and the type of flosser
you are looking for. For example if you travel a lot, a cordless battery operated flosser may be your best
bet. Luckily most flossers have adjustable water pressure so should suit all needs of a person, however there
are larger flossers and smaller more portable flossers, so it really depends on which will suit you best. Most
people will use a standard flosser which can be plugged into a socket in the bathroom and will sit on the
side of the bathroom shelf next to your toothbrush or can be stored away in a cabinet.
Flossers can be quicker and easier than flossing, however they should not replace flossing or brushing they
should simply be an addition to a routine. If you find you are super busy in the morning, then they may work
for you as the stream of water can clean out any debris in a matter of seconds as oppose to flossing which
can be a little more technique focussed.