Does a water flosser replace flossing?

Water flossers have recently become a popular addition to people’s oral hygiene routines. But is water flossing effective enough to replace normal dental floss? It’s tempting to believe the promises that new gadgets make, and the word “floss” is even in the name, so that must mean it’s an alternative to flossing! But is the name “water flosser” just the cleverest marketing tactic in the oral health market or are you really looking after your dental hygiene?

What is a water flosser?

First, what is a water flosser or waterpik? It is an electric tool that essentially allows you to power wash your teeth, like a small water jet for your teeth. A water flosser is a device that sprays water through a small nozzle which the user aims at the spaces between their teeth. They are advertised as an important tool for maintaining proper oral hygiene.

Why a water flosser does NOT replace flossing 

Unfortunately, a water flosser won’t replace normal string floss! While it’s tempting to convince yourself that water spray will get your teeth and under your gums clean, it’s just not effective enough. It’s only a tool for removing larger particles of food stuck in braces, under a bridge, or in large openings between your teeth.

Water flossers can't clean as well as traditional floss

Let’s talk specifics –

A water flosser won’t clean the surfaces of your teeth that are in contact with one another – one of the most common areas to get cavities. We get cavities here when these surfaces are not properly cleaned. Thus, allowing sugars and the bacteria which eats sugars to build up, leading to acid byproducts which will decay our teeth. These surfaces require physical cleaning – something that doesn’t happen with a toothbrush alone. No toothbrush will get in between our teeth, separate them, and clean the surfaces that are touching one another. And you know what else won’t be able to separate the teeth and clean them? A water flosser! You will just be splashing water on the same area of your teeth that was cleaned by your toothbrush. Real, physical flossing will clean these surfaces. As we insert floss between our teeth, it meets some resistance and eventually snaps through this contact point – rubbing the surface clean and taking the sugars and bacteria with it. That spot where you feel the floss snap through is exactly where cavities form if we don’t use floss to remove the bacteria and sugars that are hiding there.

A water flosser also will not get under your gums and remove the sticky, plaque biofilm in the gum line that causes gum disease. To get in the small open pockets in your gums, you need physical floss. When floss is gently slid into the subgingival space (read: under your gums) it will scoop up the plaque biofilm and remove all the bacteria that causes gum disease. Another way to get this area clean is something you’re familiar with from your regular dental cleanings – small ultrasonic instruments which vibrate and spray water are carefully placed into this subgingival space to remove the build up there. An at home water flosser does not have the power or the accuracy to safely enter this space and get it properly clean.

Let's talk costs

A water flosser is an investment! Often north of $100. While it can be extremely useful for orthodontic patients who need to regularly remove food from their brackets and wires for the duration of their multi-year treatment, it isn’t really worth the cost for the rest of us. If you’re planning on investing in a water flosser with the hopes of using it to replace regular flossing, you’re better off spending your money on regular floss instead. You’re going to need normal floss in your routine whether you use a water flosser or not to ensure effective plaque removal!

The *experience* 

Water flossing is messy and gets both your bathroom mirror and your shirt covered in water. It’s also just that – water! Boring, to be honest. And after the novelty of splashing yourself with water wears off, your water flossing routine will fall by the wayside. A floss like TrollTunga Tråd comes in several different flavors, allowing you to use whatever fits your mood while effectively removing plaque. Having the ability to switch things up and have a different taste will increase your chances of keeping up your nightly flossing routine. And not to mention the colorful packaging! Products that feel, taste, and look appealing draw us to use them – and in the case of TrollTunga Tråd – your gums and teeth will thank you! As will your future self when you’ve saved money on costly dental treatments from gum disease and cavities.

Do you still need to floss if you use a water flosser?

If you’re going to enjoy spending extra time on your oral hygiene routine and you don’t mind adding an extra step, then water flossing might be something for you. In that case, you can water floss, brush, and then floss. This can be a great addition into the routine of anyone with braces, a dental bridge, or large spaces in between their teeth where food often gets stuck. However, if you want your oral hygiene routine to be as quick and effective as possible and you don’t fall into one of the previously mentioned categories, then your routine only needs to be brush and floss.

Water flossers should be an addition not a replacement!