Using a Waterpik® has benefits for the entire family from age six and above. FDA-approved versions are available for adults and children age 6+.

Have you noticed you have difficulty flossing between certain teeth or around back molar? Are the gum pockets around the base of your dental crowns starting to measure deeper when we probe them? Do you have any bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth? It could well be time for you to start using a Waterpik in conjunction with traditional string flossing. When pulsating water is forced between the teeth and around the base of teeth, the water flushes out remaining food particles (even from deep gum pockets). The pulsing water helps disrupt oral bacteria that may be colonizing on dental surfaces to form plaque.

Studies have shown that the pulsating action of the Waterpik helps patients safely and effectively clean difficult-to-access areas, such as those surrounding implants. At the “medium” setting, the combination of pulsation and water pressure removes biofilm comfortably, without damage to soft tissue.

When you come in for regular dental cleanings and checkups, we will be examining you for signs of gum inflammation and may recommend that you start doing water flossing, in addition to using traditional string floss. We’ll tell you how to use a Waterpik, and you can use it once at the end of every day. Gum pockets decrease steadily once water flossing is done daily in addition to brushing after meals and before bedtime, and flossing once a day with string floss.

It really doesn’t matter if you brush or floss first at the end of the day. What matters is that you do so regularly and thoroughly. The purpose of flossing is to disrupt bacteria attaching to your teeth. As long as you keep disrupting them, you minimize their opportunity create the plaque biofilm that irritates gums and erodes enamel, causing tooth decay.

Come regularly to Beacon Family Dentistry for professional dental cleanings, as these are also necessary to eliminate plaque buildup. Additionally, this professional cleaning will remove superficial stains and give you the healthy-appearing, bright smile you want.