Does using a Waterpik replace flossing?
A question I get asked a lot does using a Waterpik replace flossing. My standard answer is this: Using a Waterpik is a great adjunct to your normal hygiene routine. It is good for removing some debris that it is difficult for the floss to remove especially in patients who have a significant amount of gum recession and spaces along the gumline.
Waterpik vs Flossing
If you're wondering if a Waterpik is a better option than flossing, I would say no and here's why. The main reason that using a water pick doesn’t replace flossing is that flossing removes food particles from between the teeth where they contact each other. You need something that will physically slide in between the contact of the teeth to remove the debris. If you do not floss, your risk of tooth decay goes up because the debris is still trapped in between, breaking down the tooth structure. The Waterpik will not displace the food unless there is a space in between the teeth.
What Floss Does
Floss also “toughens up” the gums by rubbing against them, which in turn helps to keep them from bleeding. Waterpiks are helpful with this, but I’m not sure it gives the exact same effect as the floss. The same is true for Water Flossers. They do basically the same thing as the Waterpik. Don’t let the name fool you.
The take-home message here is don’t stop using floss if you want to have the most healthy gums you can have and if you don’t want to run the risk of having decay in between the teeth. Once you get in the habit of flossing, it really takes very little time out of your day to do it. Just find a time of day or night that you have a little time consistently. My Mom does it when she is watching television. Now that’s multitasking!! You will not regret it!!