If you've never been great about flossing, a water flosser might change that. It's easier for most people to stick with than string floss — and the clinical research shows it works at least as well, and often better.
How it works
A Waterpik is a small countertop or cordless device that shoots a thin, pulsing stream of water between your teeth and along the gumline. It clears plaque, food debris, and bacteria from the places your toothbrush can't reach. Two minutes, once a day, usually in the morning or before bed.
Why we recommend it
We recommend the Waterpik as the water flosser of choice for most of our patients. Waterpik's own clinical research is substantial — more than three times as effective as string floss for patients with braces, 93% more effective at reducing gum bleeding, and 52% more effective at reducing gingival inflammation. We see those results in our own patients.
It's especially valuable if you have braces, implants, bridges, periodontal pockets, or simply a hard time with string floss. For a lot of patients, it's the single best addition to a home-care routine.
Does it replace brushing?
No. A Waterpik is a complement to brushing, not a substitute for it. The combination — brushing twice a day, water-flossing once a day — is what the research shows works best.
Does it replace string floss?
For most patients, yes. If you've been flossing with string and it's working well for you, keep doing it. But if you've been skipping it — or if you've tried and just can't make it a habit — switching to a Waterpik is a significant upgrade over not flossing at all, and for many patients it's an upgrade over string flossing too.
Want one?
Ask at your next visit. We can show you how it works and point you toward the model that fits your needs best.