Why You Should Buy A Waterpik

When you go to the dentist do you always dread the question, “So have you been flossing?”? You can lie and tell them you have been (but they’ll know you haven’t) or you can tell the truth and you’ll get “the speech” for the 100th time. Or do you floss but but still feel like you’re leaving food between your teeth? What if I told you that there was a product out there that would cut out your need to floss and you could get better results? That product is a Waterpik. In simple terms, it uses a small wand that directs a stream of pressurized water or mouthwash wherever you need to clean.

Why do I like them so much? It’s really simple. Study after study has shown that it is far more effective and easier to use to than string floss. Here are just a couple of the many studies and papers written about it…

2015 Study From The Journal of Clinical Dentistry: An 81.6% reduction in plaque between teeth compared to 63.4% for string floss

2008 Review Paper: Better outcomes for gum health, bleeding, and pocketing around teeth (an indicator of gum disease)

2005 Study From Nebraska: 93% more effective at reducing bleeding and 52% more effective at reducing gingivitis than string floss

Some other benefits include…

• It cleans deeper than string floss is able to. String floss can reach about 3 mm below the gumline whereas the Waterpik can reach effectively at least 6 mm and more in some cases.
• Its quick! You can clean your entire mouth in approximately 1 minute.
• It’s easier to use if you aren’t coordinated enough for floss.
• It’s safe to use around implants.

I think almost everyone would benefit from a Waterpik but these people benefit the most…

• Braces. I think everyone with braces should invest in a Waterpik. Using floss threaders or superfloss to get under the wire and clean around every teeth takes too much time and is too difficult for most people.
• If you have crowns, bridges, or implants. Crowns and especially bridges on your teeth make it more difficult to keep them clean. The most common area to get decay around a crown is in between your teeth. Cleaning these areas out can go a long way towards extending their lifespan.
• A large number of fillings. Fillings tend to build up plaque at a higher rate than teeth that haven’t had work done on them. Similarly to crowns, they often fail when they develop a cavity under the filling that starts in between the teeth.
• A history of gum disease.

Lastly, why is keeping your gums healthy so important?

Keeping your gums healthy isn’t important just for your teeth! Gum disease has been linked with a staggering number of other health conditions. These include diabetes, heart disease, pre-term birth, and pancreatic cancer! We’ve got quite a few articles on the mouth-body connection here.  An investment in a Waterpik (and using it regularly) will benefit you in so many ways.

Ready to buy a Waterpik? 

I’ve found you can get the best price on Amazon. They also have a lot of helpful information and customer reviews about the different models of Waterpik. Pictured below is their standard model, The Waterpik Aquarius. It has all the tips you need for any situation, easy pressure adjustment, and a self contained water system. I think it is your best option if you’re going to invest in a Waterpik.