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Dental floss vs. water pick: Which is better?
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental-floss/AN01782
- With Mayo Clinic prosthodontist
Alan Carr, D.M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Alan Carr, D.M.D.
Alan B. Carr, D.M.D.
Dr. Alan B. Carr, Department of Dental Specialties at Mayo Clinic, is a consultant in the Division of Prosthodontics and a professor of dentistry at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
Dr. Carr, a native of Hattiesburg, MS., received his prosthodontics training at Mayo. Following his training he has was an assistant professor at Marquette University and then became a full professor at Ohio State University where his clinical duties included Director of Maxillofacial Prosthetics at the James Cancer Hospital. He returned to Mayo in 2000.
Dr. Carr is board certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics. He served in the Air Force and has degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi and Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. He also is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, the American College of Prosthodontists and the American Dental Association. He has made dozens of international and national presentations, and is author of a dental textbook.
His clinical practice focuses on combined prosthodontics and reconstruction of patients with disabling oral conditions. His research interests include oral and craniofacial endosseous implants, tobacco cessation, and the impact of oral health on general health, especially for patients with chronic illness and the elderly.
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Question
Dental floss vs. water pick: Which is better?
Is it more effective to floss teeth with a water pick or standard dental floss?
Answer
from Alan Carr, D.M.D.
Standard dental floss is generally considered the most effective tool for cleaning the tight spaces between the teeth. You can also use dental floss to scrape up and down the sides of each tooth.
A water pick (oral irrigator) is a device that aims a stream of water at your teeth. A water pick can help remove food particles from your teeth and might help reduce bleeding and gum disease — but it isn't generally considered a substitute for brushing and flossing.
If plain dental floss gets stuck in your teeth, use the waxed variety. If you have a hard time handling dental floss, try a floss holder. Other options might include special brushes, picks or sticks designed to clean between the teeth.
Next questionSensitive teeth: What treatments are available?
- Barnes CM, et al. Comparison of irrigation to floss as an adjunct to tooth brushing: Effect on bleeding, gingivitis, and supragingival plaque. The Journal of Clinical Dentistry. 2005;16:71.
- Flossing. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/5625.aspx?currentTab=1#faq. Accessed Nov. 7, 2011.
- Disease, gum (periodontal disease). American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/3063.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed Nov. 7, 2011.
- Jahn CA. The dental water jet: A historical review of the literature. Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2010;84:114.
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