Water Flossing or Manual with A String? Which Is Best?

By - Zahin Ibnat

Removing food particles, mucus, and bacteria that are stuck between your teeth is rather unpleasant, but it can help you save a trip to the dentist. And save you the embarrassment.

We’ll be taking a look at two different methods for removing those nasty tooth obstructors: water flossing and the manual way using string floss. Water flossers and string floss can both do the job, but the question is: which kind is best for you?

Although both options have their benefits and drawbacks, they share one common goal: to ensure that your teeth are clean and free of any particles – thereby preventing that any dental issues will happen before they progress. Whether it is to clean your teeth, gums, or tonsils, they both promote oral hygiene.

With that said, let’s get started by explaining what string floss is and who it’s best for. We’ll do the same for water flossing, a little further down this article.

Manual with String Floss

This is the trusted, old-fashioned way to floss. You can use the strings to get in between your teeth and go up and down through each one. Sometimes your hands will get in the way when you try to get into those hard to reach places, but a little experience usually solves this problem.

Floss strings come in different flavors such as mint, cinnamon, or unflavored (among others). Most of them are also waxed, so it makes the experience a bit more pleasurable. This method is precise, and you know exactly where to go when it comes to doing the whole thing without the use of a machine.

What is this for?

This type of flossing is for everyone. In fact, just like brushing teeth with good toothpaste, this should be done each day. However, there might be an exception to this rule (which will explain in the pros and cons section).

Procedure of performing string floss:

Flossing is a moderately a easy to perform. The dental specialist or dental hygienist is an incomparable source for extra data or explanation on these techniques.

At the point when somebody feels the necessity to floss, they need to follow the mentioned process below;

Pros and cons

One of the pros of manual flossing is that it can be just as precise, if not better, than a water flosser. Plus, you can take your time and get at every tooth possible.

However, the major downside is that it might not be for those with sensitive gums. Specifically, those with such an issue may notice bleeding gums if regular floss is being used. At this point, water flossing might be your best option.

Water Flossing

Water flossers, or waterpiks, are electric devices that use a wand, and they’re used to spray water between your teeth. The water pressure is enough to force out any particles that may not have been brushed off.

It can get in between your teeth and even go deep in the gum line. Simply put, it’s the closest you can get to a deep clean for your mouth. This will also give you a chance to try something new if you have tried the old-fashioned way and experienced less than satisfactory results.

Who is it for?

This method is used for those who have had extensive work done on their teeth. They include those who have braces, crowns, dental implants, and the like. This method will keep the appliances clean without any kind of further damage.

Plus, flossing while wearing braces can be very difficult very difficult to do. Not to mention, the floss might even get caught up in the brackets as well. The same can be said about other dental appliances that are added on.

Procedure of Performing Water Floss:

It is significant for clients to peruse the entirety of the directions from top to bottom and be certain that they comprehend them.

There might be variations in the working style of each device, yet the basic methods generally remain similar.

At the point when anybody needs to water pick, they should:

It is essential to concede to the guidelines for the particular unit being utilized.

Pros and cons

Water floss might prove very beneficial for your dental health. Let’s take a look at their advantages:

• The main benefit of water flossing is that it uses a powerful stream of water, which has proven to be effective many times over.
• The likelihood of bleeding gums using this method is pretty much non-existent.
• Water flosser helps to uplift your gum health by it’s massaging action.
• You can reach every nook and corner of your mouth through this floss.
• Requires less time.
• You don’t need to take the hassle of wrapping the strings all around the fingers.

Unfortunately, water flossing also has a couple of downsides. Know the cons as well:

• Most water flossers are pricey and needs more storage space.
• This method can be a bit messy at times as you may not have much control over it.
• You always need electricity to use water floss which might be difficult to use during travelling.

But the investment in one of these is worth every penny once you put it to good use.

Water Floss Benefits

• Reviving with fresh, good smelling breath

In contrast to string floss, which creates an undesirable irritation when utilized, particularly on the off chance that it is not flavored, water flossers could be loaded up with a reviving mouth wash. Or then again some other type of mouthwash combination endorsed by your dental specialist.

​This leaves you revitalized and invigorated, with extraordinary smelling breath for quite a long time after use.

• Lower probability of gum disease

Conventional string floss consistently had the hidden issue of inadvertently harming the gums. On the off chance that the pressure is uneven, it quite often brings about gum harm. This just doesn’t occur while you use water piks. In spite of the fact that there is a little danger of harming your gums from the water stream, the harm isn’t anything contrasted with the harm a string can do.

• Appropriate for every kind of teeth

A few people can’t utilize string floss, not on the grounds that they can’t physically use the string, but since their mouth and oral climate are simply not reasonable for its utilization. These are individuals that have incredibly close contacts in between their teeth that the string is not able to pass. Or on the other hand individuals who have bone lumps and deformities, keeping the string from arriving at specific territories.

With water flossers, the problems with oral cavity isn’t an obstruction. The water   streams effectively adjusts to the state of the region to be rinsed, and the pen like handle arrives at effectively any place in the mouth.

• Prevents tonsilloliths

Apart from this, irrigating the back of your throat regularly will prevent future occurrences of tonsilloliths on your tonsil crypts. Tonsilloliths? If you ever brushed your teeth and wondered why your breath still had that cadaverous, foul-smelling scent, you may be a victim.

Tonsilloliths, more commonly known as tonsil stones, or tonsil oysters (due to their formation being similar to how pearls are formed), are clusters of unsightly deposits of minerals such as calcium, along with particles of phosphorus and magnesium. These are oral nuisances that get stuck in the tonsil crypt and harbor bacteria that produce sulfur, which makes for its putrid smell. Water flossers, unlike string floss, can help prevent this from happening.

Comparison Between String Floss and Water Floss:

Here’s a list of key differences between traditional string floss and water floss:

When the floss should be done?

The ADA recommends that both way are allowable, as long as you make an exhaustive cleansing. A few people contend that they prefer flossing first to extricate food and flotsam and jetsam from in between teeth, that can be easily washed away later by brushing the teeth.

Others like to brush first to eliminate the main part of plaque prior to flossing, and to permit the fluoride from toothpaste to arrive at territories that might be obstructed by food.

A recently published research in the Journal of Periodontology demonstrated that the measure of plaque in between teeth was diminished more if the flossing is done initially followed by brushing.

Nonetheless, American Academy of Periodontology and ADA suggest flossing and brushing in any sequence to ensure your brightest smile.

Best practices for your dental health

Besides flossing, be it with water or string, there are a few prescribed procedures that are related with better oral wellbeing. Those are:

l  Brush your teeth 2 times everyday.

l  Practice flossing once per day.

l Make an appointment with the dental specialist routinely for proper cleaning, X-rays and further check-ups according to your requirement.

Proper dental cleanliness isn’t only basic for solid teeth and gums but it’s also referred to affect one’s general wellbeing.

Final Thoughts

The good thing about flossing is that it picks up the slack that brushing leaves behind. You’d be surprised by what you won’t pick up just by simply brushing. But while there are two ways to floss your teeth, it’s hard to tell which wins it out. It’s all up to you on which one you prefer or will work best for you.

Also, take into account how much money it can cost you in the long run. A thing of dental floss can last you a while and is less costly. Compare that to the more expensive waterpik machines that can actually last you longer than a single pack of dental floss.

Regardless, doing this important task after brushing is key. There is no substitute for good oral hygiene to prevent tonsil stones and other dental problems from occurring. Through regular brushing, irrigation, and gargling, you can guarantee that you can be confident about yourself when you speak, smile, and laugh.

The perfect combination of a great toothbrush and an oral irrigator would be of no use if you are not vigilant with your personal hygiene, so always remember to commit to brushing and flossing your teeth regularly.

Your dentist will be impressed with your smile during your next checkup. Flossing is just one of the many ways to keep those teeth healthy for years to come.

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