A water irrigator or water pick is a type of instrument that uses gently pressurized water to clean between your teeth and around your gumline. Compared to traditional flossing methods, using an oral irrigator in your oral care routine offers numerous benefits. Consider the following advantages of investing in this oral care tool.
Why Using a Water Irrigator Can Be Beneficial
1. Easy To Reach Teeth You Can’t Reach with Floss
With standard floss, you have to reach both hands to the back of your mouth to loop the floss around your back molars. This can lead to insufficient flossing, leaving your back teeth susceptible to plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. An oral irrigator only requires one hand and is easy to aim at your back teeth to remove food particles and bacteria that can lead to severe issues.
2. Little Ongoing Cost
Traditional floss and disposable floss picks don’t cost much money and neither do water picks. With water irrigators, the only ongoing costs will be for the power source (electricity or batteries), the water used, and replacement tips twice a year. A quality oral irrigator will last for years, so you don’t have to worry about replacement costs.
3. Easier To Use With Dental Prosthetics
String floss can get caught on prosthetics like braces, dental crowns, and veneers, making it challenging to floss thoroughly. With braces, food particles can be difficult to remove without damaging the brackets. A water flosser can be sprayed directly on them without damaging the device. You can go along the gumline and target problem areas, like brackets, with ease.
4. Better for Those With Limited Hand Mobility
Those with conditions that cause hand pain or lead to limited mobility, like arthritis, will have difficulty using regular floss with the deftness that is required. An oral irrigator allows them to hold the device and be able to move it at different angles, which is much easier on the joints than the twisting and stretching traditional floss requires.
If standard floss has left your oral care routine lacking, you should see a quality dentist for an exam and recommendations for alternative methods. The dentists at Hulse Dental in Onalaska, WI, boasts over 20 years’ oral care experience in a patient-oriented office that prioritizes building trust. With modern technology, like same-day CEREC dental crowns, you’ll be receiving a high level of care from a friendly team. Learn more about their services online, and schedule your appointment by calling (608) 783-1306.