Maintaining your oral health is crucial to having a beautiful smile that you can proudly show off. Your dentist in Fort Pierce may have talked to you about the importance of brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once daily. However, you may have questions about traditional dental floss and water flossers.

Two Options for Flossing: Dental Floss and Water Flossers

Water Flossers

Water flossers, or oral pulsating irrigators, are devices that are designed to remove food particles from your teeth by aiming a stream of water at them.

Before you decide to use one, you’ll have to determine the right pressure settings and water temperature. Place the tip inside the back of your mouth before you turn the device on to prevent water from spraying everywhere. Once you’ve turned it on, carefully move from one side of your mouth to the other and thoroughly clean the inside and outside areas of your teeth.

One of the best things about using water flossers is that they’re extremely easy to maneuver compared to the standard dental floss. For this reason, people who have medical conditions that make it difficult for them to use dental floss choose to use this device. Furthermore, water flossers are also a popular choice among those with crowns, metal braces, fixed bridgework, and dental implants because of their ability to clean hard-to-reach areas.

Although they may reduce your chances of bleeding while reducing bacteria below your gum line, water flossers don’t get rid of plaque. Additionally, they’re more expensive than traditional dental floss.

Traditional Dental Floss

Aside from cleaning those tight spaces between your teeth, dental floss can also be used to scrape up and down the sides of your teeth. Unlike water flossers, dental floss can get rid of plaque. To use this effective tool, break off about 18 inches of floss and use both of your hands to move the floss around and between each of your teeth.

However, since handling dental floss gives you more control in cleaning your teeth, your chances of missing hard-to-reach areas are higher. When used improperly, dental floss can also cause your gums to become inflamed, bleed, or recede.

Looking for a Dentist in Fort Pierce?

At Smooth Sailing Dental, we offer a wide range of dental procedures that can be used to improve your smile. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.