07/09/2021
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙒𝘼𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙁𝙇𝙊𝙎𝙎𝙀𝙍 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝙐𝙇𝘿 𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝘽𝙀 𝙐𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙊𝙉𝙀?
Just like string floss, a water flosser cleans between your teeth.
Removing little bits of gunk from your teeth is super important. When you allow food and drink particles to stew in your mouth, the resulting plaque releases acids that harm your enamel (the tough external portion of your teeth), according to the American Dental Association (ADA). These acids can eventually drill cavities into your teeth and cause gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease.
Brushing your teeth twice a day helps you scrub away plaque so that it can’t hurt your teeth or gums. So does flossing, which can make sure you reach the little nooks and crannies a toothbrush neglects.
You’re probably pretty familiar with string floss, of course, but water flossers are also an option. A water flosser is a handheld device that shoots a stream of liquid at your teeth hard enough to clean between them, according to the ADA. You can call them powered interdental cleaners if you want to be posh about it. Some versions even allow you to use a mixture of water and mouthwash for an extra fresh experience.
A water flosser might be good for you depending on your teeth and preferences.
𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂:
You’re not diligent about using the correct flossing technique with string, so you could be leaving a lot of food behind. Shoving the string into each crevice, yanking it out, and moving on doesn’t cut it.
You have dental or orthodontic work that makes it tricky to floss traditionally, like braces or a permanent retainer of some sort.
Your teeth aren’t super straight. If you have trouble running floss back and forth between them, a water flosser could make your life easier, Mark S. Wolff, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, tells SELF.
You hate traditional flossing. Perhaps you’re not a fan of extracting chewed up bits of food from your mouth. Maybe every time you do it, you wonder if you have 357 teeth because getting between them all takes forever.
