Water flossing vs. floss: which is better?

If you're really committed to dental hygiene (hi, us too), you probably want the best, most efficient tools for cleaning your teeth. Once you have an electric toothbrush you love, you might set your sights on a water flosser.

Is this gadget superior to traditional dental floss when it comes to removing food particles and preventing plaque buildup? The truth is, water flossing versus floss isn't an either/or situation. Regular flossing is a must for oral health, and a water flosser is a nice bonus.

Let us explain.

Understanding the differences between water flossers and dental floss

We'll break down the difference between water flossers and regular dental floss, including how each works, the benefits, and when or how often they should be used.

How water flossers work

Sometimes called an oral irrigator, a water flosser uses a stream of water pressure to gently remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from teeth. This device has a small spout, or floss tip, where you place your lips (almost like a straw) to allow the warm water to enter your mouth while leaning over a sink. You can do this a few times each session, letting the water drain as you floss or spitting whenever your mouth gets full.

Benefits of water flossers

Water flossers can make it easier to quickly clean between teeth and into hard-to-access areas, like gum pockets. They can be great for people with dexterity (hand mobility) issues who have a hard time maneuvering regular floss. A water flosser might also come in handy for people with braces, as it can be hard to get traditional string floss between unstraightened teeth and around the brackets and wires.

The mechanics of traditional flossing

Traditional flossing uses a non-fraying string to clean in between your teeth — where your toothbrush can't quite access. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends doing it once a day to prevent plaque buildup and gum disease.

Advantages of traditional flossing

Flossing your teeth every day with conventional floss helps loosen food debris and remove plaque. Plaque is the sticky stuff that sits on top of and in between your teeth, and it contains bacteria that feed on food particles (especially sugar) in your mouth. This can lead to cavities if you don't stay on top of it.

Comparing the effectiveness of water flossers vs. flossing

Are water picks better than flossing, or should you stick to the tried-and-true method?

As mentioned, the water pick versus floss debate isn't necessarily a question of either/or. If you want to take your oral hygiene to the next level, it might be worth adding oral irrigation to your routine. But we don't recommend forgoing daily use of dental floss for a water flosser.

Which cleans better: water flosser or Floss?

Research has shown that a water flosser can be as efficient as regular floss at getting rid of plaque between teeth. That said, we suggest using water flossing as a supplement to traditional flossing.

Which is easier to use?

Studies have shown that water flossers can be easier to use for folks with limited dexterity who have trouble getting the right angle and holding a floss threader taut. People with metal braces and dental prostheses might also find water flossing easier.

When and why traditional floss might be better

If you ask us, traditional floss is best for daily use. We know this time-tested method is effective at removing plaque and preventing tartar buildup and gingivitis. If twice-a-day brushing is the most important thing for your teeth, flossing regularly is a close second.

Regular floss is good for:

• Accessing tight spaces between teeth. String floss is able to get into the tight spaces between your teeth, where plaque likes to hang out. Sliding it back and forth and up and down effectively removes the plaque and makes room for fluoride toothpaste to do its thing.

• On-the-go oral care. Dental floss is more portable than a water pick, making it a better option for travel and on-the-go use.

When in doubt, ask your dentist for personalized advice on how to floss your teeth and what products to use for oral health.

Explore our water flossers and flossing products

Want to elevate your flossing game? Explore the range of flossers from quip. We have refillable floss string and rechargeable cordless water flossers.

Our blog has more facts and myth busters about flossing.

Sources:

Abdellatif H, et al. (2021). Comparison between water flosser and regular floss in the efficacy of plaque removal in patients after single use. The Saudi dental journal, 33(5), 256–259. doi.org/10.1016/j.sdentj.2021.03.005

Mohapatra S, et al. (2023). Comparing the effectiveness of water flosser and dental floss in plaque reduction among adults: A systematic review. Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology, 27(6), 559–567. doi.org/10.4103/jisp.jisp_597_22

Mancinelli-Lyle D, et al. (2023). Efficacy of water flossing on clinical parameters of inflammation and plaque: A 4-week randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. doi.org/10.1111/idh.12770

Zhou C. (2022). Is it more effective to floss teeth with a water flosser or with standard dental floss?. Mayo Clinic.

American Dental Association (ADA). MouthHealthy. Water Flossers and Water Flossing.

American Dental Association (ADA). MouthHealthy. Flossing