It’s an age-old dental hygiene debate: Is dental floss more effective than a water flosser at removing plaque to prevent periodontal (gum) disease? Those who are in either camp may vigorously defend their choice, but is there really a definitive answer to settle this question once and for all? No spoiler alert here! You’ll have to read this entire blog post to find out!
No Room for Debate — You Need to Floss Your Teeth!
One matter in which there is no room for debate: You really do need to floss your teeth. Flossing is the second line of defense against cavities and periodontal disease — brushing being the first. But brushing alone isn’t adequate in removing the afore-mentioned plaque, which is a sticky film composed mainly of bacteria. It forms on your teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria normally found in your mouth. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day removes up to 80 percent of interdental plaque (the plaque that forms in the spaces between teeth), but it very quickly forms again. Our blog post — “Types of Gum Disease” — explains this process in greater detail.
Toothbrush bristles aren’t small enough to clean effectively in these tight spaces. For this reason, interdental cleaning — such as flossing — is recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA).
However, according to a research paper published in the National Library of Medicine, one in five Americans never flosses, and only 40 percent of those who do floss do so on a daily basis. Add to this finding the fact that in some countries, flossing isn’t a commonplace or even a dentist-recommended practice, owing to the erroneous belief that flossing has no benefit to oral health. Those who make this claim tend to cite studies that were based upon limited research using outdated methods and small sample sizes. If you want to conduct your own research, just ask your family members and friends who have an attractive, healthy smile. You’re likely to find they floss faithfully!
Hopefully, you don’t need convincing about the necessity to make flossing your teeth part of your daily oral hygiene routine. It’s mainly a matter of being on Team Dental Floss or Team Water Flosser. Let’s find out which one is the winning team!
Benefits and Disadvantages of Using Dental Floss
Also known as string floss, dental floss has several advantages:
Greater control — With string floss, you have control over the length and tension, making it easier to curve the floss around each tooth for a more precise clean.
Effective at removing plaque — String floss is highly effective at removing plaque and debris between teeth and along the gumline, which is essential for preventing gum disease and cavities. Dentists who recommend dental floss over water flossers cite the fact that string floss makes direct contact with interdental surfaces, so the rubbing motion breaks plaque from the teeth.
Affordable and accessible — String floss is inexpensive and comes in many varieties, from waxed to unwaxed, flavored to unflavored. It is available at supermarkets, pharmacies and big-box stores – as well as online.
Easily portable — String floss is easy to carry with you, making it convenient to floss your teeth after meals when away from home.
Having said all this, string floss has the following disadvantages:
Can be physically challenging to use effectively — People who have arthritis or limited manual dexterity for other reasons can find string floss difficult or impossible to wind around their fingers and guide between teeth.
Can be difficult for people with metal braces — String floss can get stuck between braces and tear, making the process time-consuming and frustrating. Moreover, you may feel as if you’re not properly reaching the food particles stuck between teeth.
Can be messy — If you’re adverse to dealing with saliva — even your own — wrapping floss around your fingers then cleaning between your teeth leaves behind several pieces of wet floss. It isn’t recommended to use a single length of floss for your entire mouth, as you don’t want to spread the food particles and bacteria your floss removed from one area to another. The “ick” factor shouldn’t keep you from flossing, but it could tip the scale toward a water flosser.
If you are a dental floss enthusiast, however, our blog post — “How to Floss Your Teeth Like a Pro” — provides all the insider info on proper flossing technique, how to floss with braces, how to use a floss threader and the various types of dental floss available (and how to determine which is right for you). Read, and floss with confidence!
Benefits and Disadvantages of Using a Water Flosser
Also known as oral irrigation systems, water flossers use a targeted, pressurized stream of pulsating water to clean away food particles, bacteria and plaque between teeth and under the gumline. The pulsating action also beneficially stimulates the gum tissue.
Advantages of using a water flosser include the following:
Beneficial for people dealing with periodontal disease — A water flosser can navigate deep within gum pockets, allowing for better cleaning and removal of plaque and bacteria — making it a valuable tool for managing periodontal health.
Easy for those with arthritis or other types of limited manual dexterity to use — A water flosser is relatively easy to grip, allowing you to comfortably direct the water stream between your teeth and around your gums.
Easier to use for those with certain types of dental restorations — Healthline notes that a water flosser may be an attractive choice for people with non-removable bridgework, crowns, and dental implants – such as all-on-four implants. The pulsing water is gentle on gums so as to prevent or reduce bleeding, and gets into hard-to-reach areas.
Easier to use for those with metal braces — The water stream gets behind and in-between the metal wires, effectively flushing out food particles and bacteria.
Disadvantages include the following:
Incomplete plaque removal — A water flosser may not remove all plaque from the surface of the teeth.
It costs more than string floss — However, adding the cost of string floss over the long term could make a water flosser seem like a good investment, if budget is your main concern.
Too demanding of one’s time — A water flosser can be messy and take time to get used to. Some people may consider a water flosser too inconvenient and overall time-consuming.
Needs to be cleaned regularly – A water flosser needs to be cleaned regularly — ideally every one to three months — to prevent mineral buildup, bacteria growth and to maintain optimal performance. This involves cleaning the reservoir, the flossing tip and the internal parts of the unit.
For those still on the fence about water flossers, our blog post — “The Pros and Cons of Water Flossers” — covers this topic in greater detail, and includes instructions for use.
The Take-Home Message
So which is the winner in this debate? Dental floss and water flossers are essential tools in your daily oral hygiene routine, with each having particular advantages for certain circumstances. String floss is effective in removing plaque between teeth because it makes physical contact. However, water flossers can be a good option for people with periodontal disease, dexterity issues or those who find string flossing difficult to master, as it greatly relies on using the correct technique to be effective. Some dentists recommend using both — starting with string floss to remove food debris, then brushing to remove stains and plaque, following with water flossing to finish the clean.
Returning to the question we posed at the start of this blog post, there is no single across-the-board answer. Ultimately, the best person to settle this matter is your dentist, who knows you, and can recommend the appropriate course of oral hygiene based upon your individual situation. Making your dentist your partner in oral health can truly give you a reason to smile!
At NK Family Dental, it is our mission to provide the highest quality and most compassionate oral care to our Chicago patients, including both dental and periodontal services. Our practice is trusted for advanced oral surgery procedures and comfortable root canal treatment.
Our team of experienced, dedicated dental professionals will help address your oral health concerns, and determine the best solution for you based on your individual situation. We strive to identify treatment options that fit your needs. Our dental specialists include our general dentist, Dr. Nilofer Khan, our endodontist, Dr. Sabek, and our periodontist, Dr. Amir Danesh. Dr. Danesh is a board-certified periodontist and Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology. He has contributed to the publication of two books, as well as published over 20 papers in prestigious dental research journals.
We serve the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Wicker Park with the dedication that’s earned us the reputation as the Best Dentist in Chicago!
We understand that the main concern you may have is cost, which is why we accept all major PPO plans for dental insurance and also offer our in-house dental plan. Please see our financing page for more information.
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