I love that my family dentist is tech-savvy. It's so easy to book a dentist on his smartphone app if I have a tooth problem or if anyone in my family needs emergency problems (I can choose either my normal dentist or another dentist in his practise depending on availability). He also has some great cameras so that we can see exactly what is going on during treatment. I prefer not to see this, but my kids love to be able to see the dentist using his specialised tools to clean and repair their teeth. This blog has some tips on finding a tech-savvy dentist to help give your family the best possible dental care.
Despite their name, water flossers shouldn't be considered a replacement for normal string floss since they aren't quite as effective at removing plaque from the surface of a tooth. However, water flossers can still be incredibly beneficial since their spray can help remove debris and keep your oral health strong. Anybody can benefit from using a water flosser, but there are some people who can find using them particularly advantageous.
Here are just four types of people who should definitely consider picking up a water flosser.
1. People with Hard-to-Reach Back Teeth
Some people, especially those with smaller mouths, find that it can be quite hard to reach the teeth at the back of the mouth. Even brushing those back teeth normally can be quite hard, but getting floss to them and then correctly moving it back and forth can be very tricky. That doesn't mean that you should give up on flossing your back teeth entirely, but you should think about using a water flosser to help pick up some of the slack.
2. People with Sensitive Gums
If you suffer from sensitive gums, string floss can cause bleeding when the gloss hits those gums. In such cases, it can be a good idea to floss around the top part of the teeth with regular string floss, and then use a water flosser to hit the gum line. This is also advantageous if you have had dental work performed on your gums and are waiting for them to heal.
3. People with Braces
Flossing with braces is quite tricky. It's not impossible, but it does take some practice, and you might never truly get the hang of flossing the teeth that aren't as visible in the mirror. If you're struggling, pick up a water flosser. They will help you remove plaque, and they'll also be great at removing any food debris that becomes trapped around the braces themselves.
4. People with Gum Disease
One thing that water flossers can do and string floss cannot is get into the pockets that form thanks to gum disease. Any infection or inflammation can result in the gums pulling away from the teeth, which in turn makes it easier for bacteria to penetrate below the gum line. Eventually, the spreading infection can damage the underlying bone and lead to tooth loss. By directing the spray of a water flosser at the gum line, the bacteria can be flushed out of those pockets.
Talk with a family dentist if you have questions about water flossers and their uses.
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