Should I Use a Water Flosser (Waterpik)?

Brushing and flossing are recommended frequently enough, but some may be wondering about water flossers.

Are these advantageous, either for people with specific issues or in general?

We checked with a number of dentists to get their views.

“A Waterpik is great for removing food particles from your mouth.  However, it does NOT remove plaque which causes decay, gum disease and bad breath.”

Jerome L. Faist, DDS – Beachwood, OH

“Water flossers and Waterpiks are good for debriding; i.e. blowing food debris out between teeth, however, they cannot remove bacterial plaque, which is the sticky biofilm that adheres to teeth and is responsible for nearly all dental decay and periodontal disease.”

Richard E. Nichols, DDS – Littleton, CO

“Water flossers are great for all patients—especially those with orthodontics (like braces) or bridges and crowns. They help clean certain areas of braces or around the margin of crowns and bridges where you might have a hard time reaching with floss. And for all patients, water flossers can also be more effective than dental floss at reducing gingivitis, bleeding, and plaque.”

Steve A. Sato, DDS and hygiene team – Dayton, OH

“A Waterpik is used to clean out bacterial contamination under the gum tissue. It is more efficient than just brushing and flossing.”

Robert A. Morabito, DDS – Falls Church, VA

“Water flossers like a Waterpik or the Sonicare Air Flosser are great adjunct tools to brushing and flossing but do not replace the basic brush and floss. Water flossers are a benefit for patients with braces, elderly patients that have a difficult time flossing and patients with fixed prosthetics like bridges. I recommend them to my patients.”

Daniel Florian, DMD – North Royalton, OH

Looking for a dentist? You’re in the right place!

If you’re interested in any of the dentists we interviewed, click on their name to get more information and read patient reviews.

For those of you who live elsewhere, click the “Find a Dentist Near Me” button to see dentists in your area.