{"id":31,"date":"2026-09-17T17:17:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T17:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pinkertondental.com\/blog\/?p=31"},"modified":"2026-10-09T17:22:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T17:22:58","slug":"water-vs-dental-flossing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pinkertondental.com\/blog\/2026\/09\/17\/water-vs-dental-flossing\/","title":{"rendered":"Which is Better: Water or Dental Flossing?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"673\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pinkertondental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AdobeStock_1522634736-1024x673.jpg\" alt=\"A CGI of a water flosser cleaning teeth with braces\" class=\"wp-image-32\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5215668515793048;width:340px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pinkertondental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AdobeStock_1522634736-1024x673.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pinkertondental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AdobeStock_1522634736-767x504.jpg 767w, https:\/\/www.pinkertondental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AdobeStock_1522634736-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pinkertondental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AdobeStock_1522634736.jpg 1218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing your teeth at least once a day to avoid dangerous oral health problems like interproximal cavities and gum disease. However, many people struggle to complete this step adequately. Whether it\u2019s due to dexterity issues, schedule, or simply not liking the feeling of dental floss, it is often overlooked, to disastrous results. If you\u2019re not a fan of flossing, but still want <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinkertondental.com\/preventive-dentistry.html\">a healthy, beautiful smile<\/a>, you may have heard of water flossing. Here\u2019s what you need to know about this treatment, and why it could be the best thing you\u2019ll ever do for your mouth!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Water Flossing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think of water flossing as pressure washing for your teeth. Using a device known as an irrigator, a gentle but powerful stream of water is sprayed at the gums, where it rinses away deposits of plaque and food debris from on and between the teeth. You may have heard these devices referred to as a \u201cWaterpik\u201d before, as this is the leading brand name for them. However, while all Waterpiks are water flossers, there are other brands available that aren\u2019t Waterpiks. The exact device you choose is entirely up to you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which is Better: Water or Dental Floss?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There has been much debate over the years about which type of flossing is better: water, or traditional string dental floss. While many are team dental floss, studies have shown that water flossers can remove up to 29 percent more dental plaque than traditional string! They\u2019re also great for patients with wire and bracket braces, as they help clear away food from orthodontic equipment that brushes tend to miss, and even get debris caught between constantly shifting teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Should I Start Water Flossing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019d like to begin water flossing, there\u2019s no need to delay starting. You can buy a high-quality irrigator of any brand at your local department store or online. Your dentist in Derry recommends starting at a low-pressure level and using warm or lukewarm water to begin with. Then, as you get comfortable, you can increase the speed and pressure of the water to your preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As for <em>when<\/em> you should incorporate this step into your oral hygiene routine, simply do it at the same time you would have used dental floss, whether that\u2019s before or immediately after brushing. Some say flossing first helps loosen debris to make brushing easier, while others believe the opposite. Ultimately, as long as you\u2019re doing both, the order isn\u2019t that important. In fact, because many people find water flossing soothing, you may even want to do it both before <em>and<\/em> after brushing. That way you\u2019ll loosen debris and then rinse any leftover bits off your teeth after they\u2019ve been scrubbed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember, whether you use traditional string dental floss or a water irrigator, the important thing is that you clean between your teeth. This will help protect them from cavities as well as reduce your risk of dangerous infections like gum disease. If you need any help with choosing a device, or advice about which method is best for your individual smile, talk to your dentist today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About Our Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinkertondental.com\/meet-the-dentists.html\">Pinkerton Dental Group<\/a>, our dynamic duo of dedicated dentists wants you to have a healthy, beautiful smile, no matter how you choose to floss it. Whether it\u2019s irrigation or string floss, be sure to clean between each tooth daily, brush twice a day, and see us twice a year for your regular checkups and cleanings. If you\u2019re ready to book your six-month visit, contact us today by visiting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinkertondental.com\/contact.html\">our website<\/a> or calling 603-434-0040.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing your teeth at least once a day to avoid dangerous oral health problems like interproximal cavities and gum disease. However, many people struggle to complete this step adequately. Whether it\u2019s due to dexterity issues, schedule, or simply not liking the feeling of dental floss, it is often overlooked, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Which is Better: Water or Dental Flossing? | Pinkerton Dental Group Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Which is more effective? Water flossing, or traditional dental floss. 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