Water Pick vs. Dental Floss: The Pros and Cons
Pros of using a water pick
Water picks, or water flossers, are hand held devices that use a pressurized stream of water to wash away food particles and plaque from between the teeth and around the gum line. It is best to use a water pick before and after brushing your teeth, so, it’s not a one stop shop. They are not able remove plaque that has hardened onto the teeth. Since water picks are gentler than string floss, they make a great choice for individuals with braces, crowns, non-removable dental bridges and dental implants. Water picks are also able to get to hard to reach places.
Cons of using a water pick
Though water picks are effective at washing away food particles they are not as effective at removing plaque since they do not have the capability to scrape the sides of a tooth like floss can. Water picks also take up space, can be messy and are often expensive as compared to dental floss.
Pros of using dental floss
Dental floss is made from nylon thread which can be coated in wax to help facilitate a smooth glide between the teeth. It is inexpensive and comes in different thicknesses and may be waxed or un-waxed. Floss is easy to control and is the best at home method for scraping off plaque between the teeth and removing food particles.
Cons of using dental floss
For some people, reaching certain areas of the mouth to floss may a difficult. For others, floss may get stuck in between crowded teeth and be difficult to remove. And finally, flossing too hard or not often enough will cause the gums to bleed.
Conclusion
As you can see there are benefits and downsides to both. Between the two, traditional dental floss is your best option if you use it every day and are able to floss each tooth with equal effectiveness. If not, then a water pick can pick up where the floss was not able to do the job, like hard to reach places or special dental circumstances like braces, crowns and other situations you need a more gentle approach. One thing is for sure, if you want to be extra diligent with your oral health, use a water pick before you brush, floss after you brush and rinse thoroughly. This will give the best possible result for a clean and healthy smile.
Have more questions about whether a water pick is right for you? Call Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental at (210) 877-2273 to for more information!
