Lantana Dentist – Benefits of Adding a Water Flosser to Your Dental Routine

GRAPEVINE AND LANTANA, TEXAS – Dental hygiene is important to your overall health. While brushing and flossing twice a day are good ways to keep your teeth free of plaque and cavities, a water flosser can make a big difference.

“Water flossers have been around since the 1950’s and have been clinically proven to improve oral health through reductions in plaque biofilm, bleeding, gingivitis and periodontal pathogens,” said Dr. Jonathan Golab, a Grapevine and Lantana dentist.

Dentists recommend flossing twice a day, but very few people follow that rule because they find it bothersome or even painful. So why floss? Flossing is essential in the prevention of gum (periodontal) disease, which is the infection of bones and gums that surround your teeth.

Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. Symptoms include red, swollen, tender gums that bleed easily, especially while brushing. There is typically no discomfort at this stage. If gingivitis is not caught early, the plaque can grow and seep below the gum line. The plaque will then irritate gums and cause the tissues and bone that support the teeth to break down and destroy itself. According to American Academy of Periodontology, gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults 35 and over.

While there is a variety of traditional string floss available – thick, thin, waxed, flavored – people still find flossing to be a pain. Finding the task painful or inconvenient are not valid reasons for avoiding flossing all together. There is however an alternative called an oral irrigator or a water flosser.

“Dental professionals have pushed the use of floss since it was introduced almost 200 years ago,” said the dental crown provider. “But getting patients to comply has been challenging. Dentists are happy to suggest an alternative that encourages better compliance – after all an effective device that does not result in regular use has no value.”

Water flossers parallel the benefits of floss and patients are more apt to add it to their dental care routine because it is easy and convenient to use. Water flossers use a focused stream of water at low, medium or high pressure to rinse away food, bacteria and biofilm. Most dentists recommend patients get used to the water flow before putting it on high, as it can get messy.

Begin on the lowest setting and adjust as necessary. The flosser should always go in the mouth before it is turned on. Be sure to close lips around the flosser and spit out any extra water that your mouth cannot hold. The water cleans the gums below the surface and stimulates and massages the gums, which makes them healthier with each use. Users can even add mouthwash to the flossers, but it is important to read the instructions before doing so.

The water flosser is a product for everyone, the family dentistry professional said. Children, teens, adults and seniors will find the flosser to be easier to use than string floss. People with braces, crowns and other dental work will also enjoy the flosser, as it can reach the difficult areas that string floss cannot.

“Talk to your dental professional about which water flosser will work best for you, as there are many additional features you can purchase,” said Dr. Golab. “Water flossers will not replace daily brushing and string floss should be used in conjunction with the flosser.”

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