Gone are the days of lying to your dentist about whether or not you floss regularly (and trust us, they always know when you're lying). Because flossing has improved in recent years. Today, water is all about flossing.
For those who don't know, the dental irrigator (or oral irrigator to use the technical term) is a TikTok moment. In fact, it's the latest health trend: the TikTok trend is actually good for you. This will keep the dentist away from your case.
Look, we know the struggle. You are not alone. Flossing may be a hassle, but it is an essential part of maintaining a healthy mouth. For those who cannot enjoy traditional flossing methods, we recommend looking into water flossing.
Do you really need to floss?
Sorry to burst the toothbrushing bubble, but good dental hygiene is about more than just brushing your white teeth. Brushing is an important part of the process and helps remove plaque and prevent cavities, but more needs to be done to keep teeth healthy and prevent gum disease. Flossing is the answer because it gets between your teeth and lifts and removes plaque. Flossing helps you go everywhere and keep your mouth clean in a way that electric toothbrushes can't reach. Brushing can only clean the front and back of your teeth, so what about the sides? If you don't clean these areas, you'll be causing plaque buildup and gum disease.
How do dental irrigators work?
It seems obvious that flossing is absolutely essential, but can you floss with water? Oral-B experts state that “replacing traditional dental floss with water floss is not recommended.” Instead, you should incorporate traditional and water flossing into your daily routine.
Oral irrigators shoot a stream of water into your mouth to remove food particles and plaque buildup. They enter the spaces between the teeth and gums, the periodontal pockets that prevent gum disease. Another advantage is convenience. You won't have to fumble with slippery dental floss. They are great for anyone who wears braces.
How to use a dental irrigator with water?
Dental irrigators are easy to use, but we'll still break down the process so there's no doubt. We are fine like this. Here is a step by step guide:
-
add water — Okay, this may seem obvious, but you need water to use the dental irrigator. Simply fill the reservoir with warm water. The tank capacity varies from one model to another.
-
aim — Do not start using the water flosser without first placing the nozzle firmly in your mouth. We don't want water splashing all over your bathroom. Aim the device directly from the target area toward the teeth and gums.
-
Find your perfect pressure setting — At this point you can play with the water pressure. The pressure needs to be high for it to really work, but always start with the lowest pressure setting and work your way up. Dental irrigators have a selection of pressure levels to choose from.
-
Address – Work around your mouth, targeting one tooth at a time. Run water along the gum line and between the teeth. There is no rule of thumb for how long you should spend on each tooth, but two seconds is more than enough. Most dental flossers come with a selection of jet tips, each with a specific cleaning function.
-
remove water — We have completed the circle, at this point it is necessary to turn off the device, remove the nozzle and drain the remaining water from the tank. Don't skip this step: leaving water in the tank can cause bacteria to grow.
-
Cleaning – This whole process aims to improve your oral hygiene, so it is better than not to clean the water flosser tank after each session.
Follow these steps and your dentist will ask you for advice.
What is the best dental irrigator?
We've covered the benefits of flossing, how water flossers work, and how to use them, now there's just one more thing to cover. There are many dental irrigators from top personal care brands, but which model is best?
We test everything from top brands like Oral-B, Panasonic and Waterpig, and highlight a selection of the best options. This list should have something for everyone and every budget, both new and experienced users.
These are the best dental irrigators of 2024.
