Flossing: Traditional or Waterpik?

 A Better Way to a Complete Clean - Flossing the traditional way or getting ready to step into the future with a WATERPIK.

It's a given. We ALL want to achieve that long sought-after HOLLYWOOD SMILE. Whenever we flash our pearly whites, whether it's with friends, co-workers, or our significant other, it is so important that our smile has that WOW! factor going for it. Nothing less will do. But, as with any goal in life, success does NOT come easy. First, you have to put the work in.

Since childhood, we've been told that the best way to make our teeth shine their brightest is by brushing them.  And that's sound advice to be sure. However, in the course of one's daily oral care routine, far too many people tend to overlook the benefits that FLOSSING can bring to the table, or, rather, to your bathroom sink. Brushing one's teeth after every meal or, at least, twice per day, is a great start to keeping your teeth free of cavities as well as helping to avoid gingivitis ( gum disease ). But, as you are about to find out, even after a thorough brushing, the job is far from finished.  That's where flossing comes in.  Flossing once a day, preferably before bedtime, has many useful benefits. Flossing removes the bacteria that causes bad breath and prevents tartar build-up by eliminating sticky, disgusting plaque.  It also reduces the risk of cavities by removing food particles between your teeth and along the gumline that your trusty toothbrush just can't reach.

Right about now, it might be a good time to pose the question: "What is dental floss?" The answer is surprisingly simple. Dental floss is an ultra-thin, flexible strand of thread, usually made out of nylon or silk and it can be waxed or unwaxed. Holding the floss in one hand, you gently glide it between your teeth to loosen any food particles that are present. A dentist down in New Orleans by the name of LEVI SPEAR PARMLY is credited with inventing a rather primitive, but useful, form of dental floss back in 1819. Dr. Parmly introduced his dental floss to his patients and other dentists in the area. He knew that he had something good going on, but, Parmly's amazing floss never really caught on with the general public. It wasn't until 1898 that a market for flossing began to develop when the JOHNSON & JOHNSON company was awarded the first patent for a new and improved dental floss that was made from silk. The decades of the 1940s and '50s brought us nylon and waxed floss. The act of flossing totally caught on in the late seventies and eighties. We wouldn't say that it became a craze or anything. However, the increased popularity of flossing was noticeable and it received a great deal of media coverage. Nowadays, you can purchase floss that is made from newer materials such as Gore-Tex and even choose various textures for your floss like spongy or soft. Now, that's comfort for your mouth, big time.

Using a manual, hand-held dental flosser device can be a bit tricky. There's some technique involved. Remember to consult with your dental professional if you have never flossed before or haven't done it for some time. Your dentist or hygienist will demonstrate the proper technique. Keep in mind that practice makes perfect or reasonably close to it.

Over time, WATER FLOSSERS have gained in popularity as an alternative to the more traditional string flosser. This is an option that you might want to look into, especially if you wear braces, or dental implants or have dexterity issues with your hands. Even if you don't, you might find that a water flosser is just right for you. Basically, a water flosser is a device that aims a targeted stream of water at your teeth. This pressurized and pulsating stream of water washes away food particles that may be trapped in your gum line and between your teeth. An added plus is that the pulsating action of the water stimulates your gum tissue. Now, don't get all apprehensive, thinking that the water that emerges from your water flosser is going to splash all over you and make a mess. Let us emphasize here and now that it is a GENTLE stream.

When searching for a water flosser or oral irrigator, as the device is technically called, one of the big brand names you are sure to encounter at your local Walmart, CVS/Walgreens, or Rite Aid is WATERPIK. The first oral irrigator device was invented in 1962 by a Fort Collins, Colorado-based dentist, Doctor Gerald Moyer. The good doctor was assisted in his endeavors by a fellow dentist, Thomas Bennett and by John Mattingly, an engineer by profession who also happened to be one of Moyer's patients. The trio formed a company called Aqua Tec, which, a few years down the road, was legally changed to; you guessed it, WATERPIK!  In 1967, the brand introduced the world's first desktop water flosser. The device was a tad cumbersome and not very attractive, but it got the job done. Since then, the WaterPik has been streamlined with a multitude of intriguing features having been added. In 2025, WaterPik will be recognized as the gold standard when it comes to oral irrigation products.

The WaterPik team honors the legacy of Gerald Moyer and his colleagues by continually coming up with oral care flossers that deliver convenience and optimum performance. Available electric countertop models possess a wide range of features and are well-suited to home use. And, they look a great deal better than Moyer's original flosser. WaterPik models like Radiance, Aquarius and Ion are available at wallet-friendly prices.  Features include a large capacity water reservoir complete with a lid to avoid spillage and different water pressure settings that offer pin-point control of flossing power. There's also a special water on / off and pause button on the device's handle.  Have no doubt about it: YOU are in complete control.

Interested in keeping your teeth as gleaming white as possible? Nothing beats a professional whitening program at your dentist's office. But, the WaterPik brand now offers a very exciting WHITENING option on one of their premium models. This must-have water flosser contains patented whitening infuser technology that expertly mixes the water in the device's reservoir with a gentle whitening agent specifically designed to remove those hard-to-reach stains. If you have a busy on-the-go lifestyle, ( and who doesn't nowadays?), then you HAVE to look into WaterPik's line of CORDLESS hand-held water flossers. It is as easy as one-two-three!

When considering options to floss it's wise to have a conversation with your dentist. Do your research and see what's right for YOU.