Traditional flossing vs Water Flossing Which is Better

Before we answer the question, which type of flossing is better, let’s go through the basics first. It is not enough to brush in the morning or before bedtime. Although 2 mins of brushing is effective, it still doesn’t clean every nook and cranny of our mouth.

The solution to this is flossing. It is a big step towards our oral hygiene and can make a difference between good and not so good oral care. Even after nearly 200 years of its invention, traditional dental flosser is still the number one option for flossing. It helps to clean those hard to reach areas which prove difficult with just brushing. Regular flossing, combined with brushing, may help to reduce many oral problems.

Though there are pros of traditional flossing, there are some cons as well. Traditional flossing or string flossers may lead to minor gum bleeding if not done regularly (see your dentist if the bleeding doesn’t stop after a few days). Flossing with string flossers takes more time. People with temporary or permanent dental work may find it difficult to floss with a string flosser. The benefits of traditional flossing far outweigh its cons if done regularly. Still, in order to tackle the traditional flossing problems and promote flossing, water flossers can also be used.

Compared to thread flosser, a water flosser is much easier to use and it saves time. It uses a water jet to clean in between teeth and also gives a soothing massage to the gums. It can clean around the dental restorations & implants without any bleeding.

According to a study published in The Journal Of Clinical Dentistry, researchers found 74% reduction in oral problems when they used water picks/flossers combined with brushing, however, only 57% reduction in oral problems with traditional flossing. Many other studies also found that using a water flosser leads to a greater reduction in gingivitis, gum bleeding and other oral problems.

Also, as there are myriad benefits offered by water flossers, there are some cons associated with them as well. Water flossers are bulky, require more storage, need electricity & water, and cannot be used on the go.

So what is the conclusion to this debate? Traditional flossing is, without a doubt, still a very effective flossing method. However, my opinion would lean towards using a water flosser because its benefits outweigh its cons. I personally recommend the Oracura Water Flosser for its features and effectiveness. It is easy to use and gentle against my dental implants. I just love its pulsating mode to massage my gums.  The use of my water flosser has now completely changed my ideas about good oral care.