Is a Waterpik Better Than Flossing for Braces?

[Daniel Y.]

http://www.waterpik.com/oral-health-products/ (press start movie in the corner of the picture of the kid with the goofy smile)

http://www.waterpik.com/oral-health/clinically-proven.html

Does anyone have one of these? They're supposed to be really good for your teeth (and from those studies it sounds like a much better alternative to flossing). Since I have braces I don't floss, but I think I might get one of these.

 

[lisab]

My dental hygienist, and the one I had before this one, both say flossing's better. Do yourself a favor - floss daily, at a minimum!

My floss: unwaxed, plain. I really don't like the teflon stuff.

 

[Evo]

I have a Waterpik, and after I thoroughly floss, the water pick blows out the food the flossing missed.

If you have any dental work, flossing will not be able to get the food, only the jets of water can blow it out of those tiny crevices.

 

[~christina~]

That thing is so painful and I broke it... This is how I look trying to use that thing the last time it was working

I was trying to remove the tip from the base to change it (to a clear one) and it fell off the table and proceeded bo break at the bottom of the tip. (close to the base) I couldn't even remove the broken tip with a plier!

A second point is that I can't even control where it goes. The water pushes against my teeth and It goes backwards. Then, the water flies everywhere! I don't know how people use this..on youtube they wouldn't post someone actually using their product, I wonder why?

 

[Daniel Y.]

I went out and bought one! I got the Ultra, and when I used it i was surprised with the results. I had it only on the second level and it cleared my teeth out well. I'd hate to see how harsh the 8th level is! I'm curious about the anti-bacterial solutions one can use instead of water for a good 'injection' into the gum line. Anyone try anti-bacterial stuff?

 

[hypatia]

I never got the hang of using one, it was just a mess.

 

[Evo]

You have to point it at an angle along the gum line and then angle it into any dental work (like braces) that you have. Never point it straight at the tooth (splashback) or directly into the gum up between the tooth and gum as you could end up pushing food farther up into the gum instead of flushing the food out.

I *heart* my waterpik.

 

[Moonbear]

We used to have one when I was a kid, but I think I did more damage than good with it.

To get around dental work, they have floss that has a stiff plastic end so you can thread it between teeth around the dental work. If you haven't seen it or don't know about it, ask your dental hygienist. Often they can even provide ample free samples so you don't have to even buy the stuff.

 

[Evo]

To get around dental work, they have floss that has a stiff plastic end so you can thread it between teeth around the dental work. If you haven't seen it or don't know about it, ask your dental hygienist. Often they can even provide ample free samples so you don't have to even buy the stuff.

I have some crowns, that stuff doesn't work. I was getting cavities from food getting stuck where the top of the crown met the gum, the original tooth is still there, the water pik is the only thing that can get it all out.

 

[Saladsamurai]

Just open your mouth in the shower.