Maybe you invested in your new Waterpik water flosser after discovering that these devices are much easier to use than string floss. Perhaps you’ve got braces to think about or orthodontic work that makes it difficult to get to all the nooks and crannies of your teeth twice a day.
Whatever the reason for your investment, water flossing regularly combined with brushing your teeth and using mouthwash is a great way to maintain oral health. The question for most people though is how often should you use a water flosser?
How Often Do You Need to Water Floss?
While brushing your teeth twice each day is a lesson you learn from a very young age, a lot of people forget about the importance of flossing, too.
Experts tell us that you should be flossing just as frequently as you brush your teeth. This means ideally you’ll floss once in the morning when you wake up, and once in the evening before you go to bed, every day. Regular flossing complements your oral health routine by helping to get rid of food particles you might have missed.
Dental experts like the American Dental Association believe that a regular brush and floss routine will protect your oral health, fight off plaque, and even protect against bad breath. However, if there’s a day when string flossing causes discomfort to your gums, or you’ve had to have a more in-depth clean from a dentist, you may be able to wait a little while longer before your next session.
Do You Brush Your Teeth Before or After Using a Waterpik?
Trying to use your Waterpik water flosser on your gums and teeth before you brush could help you to obtain better dental results. Since flossing assists with removing large chunks of food and debris, it can make it easier for your brush to remove the substances you don’t want to be left behind in your mouth after you floss.
Using your Waterpik water flosser before brushing could even allow your brush to reach areas that would have been harder to access before. However, you don’t have to use floss first if you prefer going in the other direction. Using your toothbrush before the floss might be more comfortable for some people.
Your dentist will often recommend using a dental process that you feel comfortable sticking with and repeating often. If you’re still flossing and brushing every day, then you should be better protected against problems like gum disease, tooth decay and excess plaque, no matter the order in which you do it.
When Exactly Should You Floss Your Teeth?
One thing that you should keep in mind when you’re working on your oral hygiene is that the time you choose for cleaning your teeth is almost as important as the frequency. To ensure your teeth have the right care, most dentists will recommend flossing and brushing once each morning, and once every evening before you go to bed. You need to use your dental equipment often to see the results.
When you wake up in the morning, brushing excess bacteria away from your teeth and using your Waterpik water flosser will help you to remove any stains, debris, or embarrassing smells. This could give you more confidence when you start your day. It’s also important to remove any dangerous content in your mouth that could have built up during the night.
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Flossing and brushing last thing at night is also a valuable way to protect your teeth. Floss first to reduce the amount of food debris on your teeth, then use your brush to remove any excess plaque. If you feel you don’t get into all the right places when you use the water flosser the first time, you may clean your gums again after brushing, too.
Brushing and flossing before you go to bed is the final stage of a good oral hygiene routine each day. It ensures that there’s no plaque left to use up the enamel on your teeth as you sleep. Good brushing before you go to bed should protect you from gum disease and other issues all night long.
Can Waterpik Damage Your Teeth or Gums?
It’s worth following the instructions provided by your dentist when you start to use your water flosser. Although it’s unlikely that you’ll cause any damage by using a Waterpik water flosser too regularly, you might find that your gums are more sensitive after regular cleaning.
Excessive use of water floss machines can make your mouth more uncomfortable. However, just like using string floss, water flossing can also improve the health of your teeth and gums over time. If you follow the advice of your dentist and use your water flosser according to the provided instructions, you can strengthen your teeth and avoid plaque or gum disease.
However, don’t be concerned if you feel a little discomfort when you use the water flosser initially. The use of any kind of dental equipment may be a little uncomfortable at first. If you’re not used to flossing often, take the experience one day at a time.
Most people may prefer to use their water flosser on a low-pressure setting and work up gradually to the level they need. Your dentist can recommend how to reduce discomfort if you’re using a flosser with braces or cleaning around a painful tooth.
If you have recently had an oral procedure, ask your dentist how you can direct the tip of your flosser best to deliver the most effective outcomes. It’s best to get advice before you use a device as normal. You may even find some helpful tips on how every person can use a flosser more effectively on the device you buy.
Using Your Water Flosser Regularly
A water flosser – combined with fluoride toothpaste, a good tooth brushing routine, and a quality mouth wash – is an important part of oral health. Research tells us that flossing of all kinds helps us to care for our teeth more effectively, and get into areas where the brush can’t reach. This is particularly true for those who need braces.
Learning how to use your water flosser the best way possible is one of the top ways to get rid of any pesky dental issues caused by debris and food in your mouth. Using your water flosser and remembering to brush your teeth twice each day will give you the dental strength you need.
med students: i think volunteering to do things that other members of the care team usually do can be a great learning opportunity.
and SO satisfying. i used the water floss to disimpact bilateral cerumen blockage & LET ME TELL YOU it was a spine-chillingly satisfying experience
— bradley (@doctornontrad) February 8, 2021
Remember, some water flossers perform a little differently to others. Check the water floss instructions that come with your device for more dental advice on how to water floss effectively, and how often you should get check-ups.
By following these instructions on not only how often should you use a water flosser, but also when during the day is best, you’ll have fresher breath in no time.
Additional Resources
Rebekah is a writer who loves to explore new products and find hacks that make life easier. She has a knack for all things home improvement, health and fitness. So you’ll often find her on Pinterest or browsing Houzz for ideas.
She’s always looking for the next thing to fix up around the house or what gadget might be just right for her lifestyle. Rebekah enjoys exploring new recipes, taking care of her family, and making sure she stays healthy with regular workouts at the gym.