Is a Water Flosser Good for Braces?

If you have asked this question at least once in your life, you’re not alone.

Many people tend to be more careful especially when it comes to their braces. Cleaning fenced teeth tends to be more challenging as well.

It is true that braces create an excellent impression. However, cleaning braced teeth at home needs time, effort, and tremendous attention.

This is how important it is to promote good oral hygiene at a young age, but doing so is something we can easily forget.

There are many methods to clean braces.

Some are gentle and easy.

Others may induce gum bleeding and pain at first. One common method is using a water flosser. But Is a water flosser good for braces? Let’s see.

What Is a Water Flosser?

A water flosser is also known as a water jet or oral irrigator that pushes water at pressure through a nozzle. It is an oral hygiene product that gives freshness like a mouthwash.

This cleaning device does not use harmful chemicals because it is able to blast away bacteria, food debris, and plaque by just letting the liquid touch the gum, tooth, and braces.

A water flosser is soft and gentle yet an effective option to achieve a cleaner mouth faster. It is much like a pressure washer with nozzle and handles allowing you to move the tip deep down the mouth.

Point the water jet at angles toothbrushes cannot reach and you can experience amazing teeth even better than traditional floss provides.

You need to use flossing because brushing only cleanses about 60% of the tooth surface. The remaining 40% seems to be unreachable where plaque and sticky food particles hide. Frequent brushing can sometimes damage braces and other orthodontic appliances.

Using a water flosser will help you reach even the smallest area and make cleaning become an easier job.

Water Flosser and Braces

Is a water flosser good for braces?

Yes, it is.

One reason is that it is safe. The other is its effectiveness.

The pressure in which a water flosser works like a cleaning machine will in no way damage your teeth. As long as you use it in a way you can bear it, plaque in your teeth can be removed without hassle.

Don’t use the water flosser in a way other than it was intended. Adhere to its proper use at all times. There are many water flosser brands that come with specialized tips for you to opt for.

Better are those that fit your preferences and the design of your braces. When it comes to braces, flossing with water is three times more effective than regular brushing.

Braces are an important dental health tool, but they provide more surface area for bacteria to creep into and grow. In fact, most food particles hide in brackets and wires that most braces wearers are not aware of.

There are even some brace designs that do not allow you to use traditional floss in between teeth and up the gum line to avoid moving the wire arch. This will give plaque a chance to stay that can result in staining of the teeth, white spots, and gum disease. If these are untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and much more serious issues.

A water flosser is a convenient option to clean tricky braces surfaces without moving or damaging anything.

Water Flossing versus String Flossing

String flossing from the name itself requires you to hold the string and rub it up and down, side by side the teeth. It gets on your nerves, doesn’t it? There is still an ongoing debate between the two but it is easy to figure out which one works easier and that’s water flossing.

With a water flosser, all you need to do is to aim the tip at your braces. No rubbing or bleeding, just feel the freshness of water. This can also be a natural way of cleaning which uses no chemical at all. However, many dentists suggest that this should be done regularly the same as string flossing.

Studies shows that water flossers can reduce inflammation and remove bacteria from the deepest pocket of the teeth, including braces. It does not cause damage to the mouth tissue and offers a gentle way of removing plaque.

Different Types of Water Flossers

For you to have an idea which water flosser model to buy, please consider first the following types. If there are different types, there could also be different uses and advantages.

• Portable – A portable water flosser is the smallest option. This is something you can bring anywhere because it is small and compact. It is slim and fits easily into your luggage. Most units in this type are battery powered and rechargeable.
• Countertop – Countertop water flossers are the largest and heaviest option. They have their own reservoir and need a socket to power up. This requires a power cord as well. What’s good about this device is that it has a feature in which you can easily alter water pressure.
• Faucet-fed – Faucet-fed water flossers can be attached directly in the tap and are great for a home with limited space. You can use the pressure of the water straight from your faucet even without electric power. You also don’t need to refill the reservoir. The faucet-fed type can save your time and energy because it does not require much hard work to run.

Things to Consider Before Making a Water Flosser Purchase

Water Pressure

When it comes to water flossers, the pressure of the water is important. It matters a lot if you need to clean larger and tougher debris out of the braces or any particles that hide. Opt for models with multiple settings that will allow you to choose the water pressure you need during flossing. Since deep cleaning is essential in braces, see to it the water pressure of your device can bear it.

Reservoir

Braces often take longer to clean than normal teeth. Having a water flosser with a larger reservoir can hold more water. This will give you more time in cleaning teeth thoroughly as you don’t need to refill the reservoir over and over again. Although it can be difficult to carry a device with a larger reservoir it can be very helpful for long-lasting washing.

Portability

Everything that is portable and lightweight provides a great advantage especially for people who love traveling. This can also be great for limited spaces. Implementing good oral hygiene needs to be done everywhere and that bringing something you can easily carry is essential to maintain the health.

Waterproof

Sometimes, we like doing our oral hygiene in the shower. If that is the case in your part, it is good to consider a water flosser that is waterproof. It can also be a convenient way to reduce mess while saving more of your time. It saves time because you can do flossing and brushing in the shower together.

Effectiveness

Water flosser has been proven safe and effective in all dental applications. It can effectively remove food particles from between and around the braced teeth. Most braces are associated with irritated and swollen gums that’s why cleaning can be painful. A water flosser used to ease swelling and massage your gums.

Helpful Tips

Before cleaning braces with a water flosser, determine the water pressure of your cleaning device. Don’t push water at your teeth too hard and set the water flosser in a setting suggested by a dentist.

Follow the user’s instruction for much more rewarding tips. So, in answer to the question is a water flosser good for braces, we say a resounding yes!