Orthodontic treatment, especially with braces, is vital for helping people to restore their brilliant and beautiful smiles. However, even though they help fix your teeth, oral hygiene with braces on can be challenging.
This is more so the case when you wish to floss. Traditional string floss may not reach certain areas of your teeth; hence you may not accomplish your goal of optimum oral care. Fortunately, water flossers allow you to floss your teeth seamlessly, removing debris, food particles, and plaque from hard-to-reach parts of your teeth, including those covered by braces.
This post takes you through water flossers and how they can be beneficial to those with braces, as well as highlighting the best water flossers for braces that you can try.
Advantages Of Using A Water Flosser For Braces
Water flossers function just like conventional floss, only that they use water instead of strings. Water flossers, also known as oral irrigators or wet flossers, work by aiming a stream of water on your teeth and gums, helping to get rid of plaque and debris.
Doing so keeps your mouth healthier and protected from oral diseases like cavities.
People with braces have several parts of their teeth covered. This means using traditional floss may not be as easy, as there are some hard-to-reach areas. Moreover, string floss might even damage the brackets of the braces.
Fortunately, using the best water flossers helps avoid the challenges posed by using traditional string floss with other additional advantages.
Here are some key benefits of using a water flosser for braces:
Improved oral hygiene
Water flossers help remove food particles and other debris from hard-to-reach areas around braces. Traditional flossing can be challenging with braces, and reaching all areas with a toothbrush may not be possible.
A water flosser uses a stream of water to dislodge debris between teeth, around brackets, and under the wires, leaving your mouth feeling cleaner and fresher.
Reduced risk of tooth decay
Food particles and bacteria trapped in and around braces can increase the risk of tooth decay and other oral diseases. Tooth decay, if left untreated, can bring forth various issues, including pain, discomfort, and even tooth loss.
Using a water flosser for braces can help to prevent plaque buildup, reducing the risk of cavities.
Better gum health
Gum health is essential to overall oral health. Poor gum health can lead to gum disease, which can cause bleeding, pain, swelling, and tooth loss.
Using a water flosser can help remove plaque and bacteria contributing to gum disease, leading to healthier gums and mouth.
Comfortable cleaning
Cleaning around braces with traditional floss or interdental brushes can be uncomfortable and time-consuming. This is even more uncomfortable if you have sensitive teeth or gums.
Water flossing is a gentle, comfortable alternative that can clean teeth thoroughly and quickly. Many water flossers come with adjustable pressure settings, allowing you to customize the water flow to your comfort level.
More efficient cleaning
Using a water flosser is a more efficient way to clean around braces than traditional flossing or brushing.
Some studies reveal that water flossers can clean teeth and braces up to 50% more effectively compared to traditional flossing, making them a vital addition to your everyday oral care regimen.
Before and after water flossers for braces reviews also indicate that users are more satisfied with the results they get from water flossers than traditional flossing.
How To Use A Water Flosser For Braces
If you have braces and are considering flossing with water, here are the simple steps you can undertake:
Choosing the right water flosser device is essential to realizing your oral hygiene needs with braces. Search for a water flosser with a specialized orthodontic tip, which is recommended for cleaning braces.
When looking for the best water flossers for braces, look for those with adjustable pressure settings that can allow you to customize water flow that’s more comfortable to you.
Fill the water reservoir of the water flosser with warm water. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions pertaining to the recommended amount of water to add.
Water flossers can come with different types of tips, so be sure to use the orthodontic tip when flossing with braces.
Orthodontic tips are designed to clean around braces and other orthodontic appliances effectively. Each water flosser is different, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on installing an orthodontic tip to the water flosser.
Adjust the pressure settings to your comfort level. However, as a rule of thumb, always start with a lower pressure setting and gradually increase it until you find a comfortable pressure.
Lean over the sink and place the water flosser tip in your mouth. Turn the device on and start flossing. Start at the back of your mouth and work your way forward, cleaning all areas around your braces.
If you are using invisible braces like Invisalign, removing them first before flossing would be prudent.
Using a water flosser for braces makes it easy to move around the tip in a back-and-forth manner, ensuring you can clean all areas between teeth and braces. Remember to pay more attention to hard-to-reach areas like the back of your teeth.
During flossing, do not swallow the water and instead spit it all out in the sink. Be sure to rinse your mouth with water to eliminate any remaining particles.
Finally, you need to keep your water flosser clean at all times. When done flossing, empty the reservoir and rinse it with warm water. Remember also to clean the tip after every use.
These steps are the same for almost all types of water flossers. However, certain brands now have advanced products like the toothbrush and water flosser combo, where you can use the same device to brush your teeth and also floss.
Check out our comprehensive Waterpik Sonic-fusion 2.0 Review for more.
Comparison With Traditional Flossing Methods
Flossing using traditional methods is often quite effective in maintaining our oral health, and so is water flossing. Both techniques have their advantages and drawbacks.
This means for you to settle on the ideal method to follow, you need to know how these two compare. Here’s a summary comparison of traditional and water flossing techniques.
| Traditional Flossing | Water Flossing |
|---|---|
| Uses a thin, waxed, or unwaxed string to remove food particles and plaque from between teeth. | Uses a stream of water to remove food particles and plaque from between teeth. |
| Requires manual dexterity to maneuver the floss around teeth and into tight spaces. | Smoother usage for people with limited manual dexterity or appliances like braces. |
| More portable as you can use it anywhere without the need for any additional equipment. | Requires access to a water source and an electrical outlet. |
| More time-consuming, as each tooth must be flossed individually. | It can be a quicker solution, as the water stream can clean multiple teeth at once |
| It may cause bleeding or discomfort if done improperly or too aggressively. | Generally less likely to cause bleeding or discomfort, and several pressure settings help you find a suitable and comfortable setting. |
| It may not be suitable for people with braces or other dental appliances, as the floss can get caught or tangled. | It can be used with dental appliances, as the water stream can easily reach around brackets and wires. |
Effectiveness Of Traditional Flossing Methods
Traditional flossing techniques have been used for many years, and dental experts have generally stuck with them because they have been effective thus far. However, it would be prudent to note that the effectiveness of traditional flossing depends on several factors, including the technique used and the frequency of flossing.
When done correctly and consistently, traditional flossing can effectively remove food particles and plaque from between teeth and along the gum line, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
However, traditional flossing methods can have certain limitations, including when used by people with braces and other orthodontic appliances. This is because the strings can easily get stuck or may fail to clean certain hard-to-reach areas.
Nevertheless, since there are different types of braces, it would be ideal to consult your dentist on the best type of floss for your teeth.
So, is a water flosser good for braces? The answer is yes. Water flossers are an ideal solution for those with braces, as they have more benefits than traditional flossing, especially for those undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Remember that using a water flosser is only a part of the job, as you also have to brush your teeth regularly. Finding the best toothbrush, in that case, is vital. You can go through our detailed comparison of electric toothbrush vs manual to find the type that suits your needs the best.
Cost Comparison
Traditional or conventional flossing techniques, including dental floss, floss picks, and interdental brushes, are usually more affordable than water flossers.
Dental floss can only cost a few cents per yard, making it quite affordable for everyday flossing. The same case applies to floss picks and interdental brushes, which cost only a few dollars. On average, you can get them for up to $3.
On the other hand, water flossers tend to be more expensive upfront. A basic model can take you back from $30 to $50, while more advanced models can cost you from $100.
While the cost of water flossers seems higher upfront, it does not require any additional costs or frequent purchasing, making it cost-effective in the long run. Moreover, the additional benefits that they come with make these devices worth every penny.
5 Best Water Flossers For Braces
Water flossers can help you to maintain proper oral hygiene, especially if you have braces. With many water flosser brands and products readily available in the market, finding one that works best for you might be a daunting task. So, what is the best water flosser for braces?
We have listed some of the best water flossers for braces that you can check out:
Snow Water Flosser
- Price: $79
The Snow Water Flosser is a powerful water flosser that uses high-pressure water to remove plaque and debris from between teeth and around braces. This water flosser has up to ten pressure settings with interchangeable tips, including one specifically designed for braces.
Waterpik WP-660 Aquarius Water Flosser
- Price: $99.99
The Waterpik WP-660 Aquarius Water Flosser is a top-of-the-line water flosser that boasts a range of features to help clean teeth and gums. The flosser has ten pressure settings, a large water reservoir, and seven interchangeable tips, including an orthodontic tip for cleaning around braces. This brand is also easy to use and ideal for beginners.
Philips Sonicare Airfloss
- Price: $89.99
The Philips Sonicare Airfloss is a compact water flosser that uses air and water to remove plaque and debris from between teeth and around braces. This flosser comes with a rechargeable battery and a smaller reservoir making it ideal for traveling.
Waterpik WP-562 Cordless Water Flosser
- Price: $99.99
The Waterpik WP-562 Cordless Water Flosser is a portable and cordless water flossing option that is perfect for people on the go. The device comes with three pressure settings and two interchangeable tips, including one for braces.
The Waterpik WP-562 Cordless Water Flosser also has a rechargeable battery lasting up to a week on a single charge.
Panasonic EW1611W Dental Water Flosser
- Price: $149
The Panasonic EW1611W Dental Water Flosser uses a powerful water pressure and pulsation system to remove food particles and plaque from around braces effectively.
The flosser has four pressure settings and a large water reservoir that holds enough water for multiple uses. It also comes with a variety of interchangeable nozzles, including a specialized orthodontic nozzle that is designed to reach around braces and brackets.
Final Thoughts
Using water flossers is an effective way to clean your teeth and around braces without any discomfort. There are many benefits that those undergoing orthodontic treatment can get from water flossers, as they help to eliminate plaque and food particles in hard-to-reach areas.
In general, incorporating a water flosser into your dental hygiene regimen when you have braces can lead to better oral health and a more comfortable orthodontic experience.
FAQ
Water flossers are recommended for those with braces as they help to remove plaque and food particles in hard-to-reach areas, such as behind and around the braces.
It is recommended to floss your teeth regularly, even when using a water flosser. Ideally, one should be able to floss their teeth at least once a day.
Waterpiks are ideal and highly recommended for people with braces as they help to eliminate plaque and debris from behind and around braces, which are technically hard-to-reach areas when using traditional floss.
Sources
- Effectiveness of Super Floss and Water Flosser in Plaque Removal for Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. (2022). Retrieved 31 March 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9452981/
- In vitro tooth cleaning efficacy of manual toothbrushes around brackets. (2008). Retrieved 31 March 2023, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19054810/
- Biofilm Removal with a Dental Water Jet. (2009). Retrieved 31 March 2023, from https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/cced/special-issues/2009/03/biofilm-removal-with-a-dental-water-jet
- Safety of a Water Flosser: A Literature Review. (2015). Retrieved 31 March 2023, from https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/cced/2015/02/safety-of-a-water-flosser-a-literature-review
- Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries (Review). (2020). Retrieved 31 March 2023, from https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/cced/2015/02/safety-of-a-water-flosser-a-literature-review
- Ultrastructural Examination of Human Periodontal Pockets Following the Use of an Oral Irrigation Device in Vivo†. (1988). Retrieved 31 March 2023, from https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1902/jop.1988.59.3.155
