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Dental hygiene is one of the main components of good oral health, but many people fail to develop effective cleaning habits that adapt to their routine. Because of that, they end up making several visits to our East Nashville dental office for something that could’ve been easily solved with daily brushing and flossing.

This last part of the dental hygiene routine is, precisely, where many fail. Cleaning in places where the toothbrush doesn’t reach is crucial, but flossing is time-consuming and thus, easily forgotten. If that’s the case for you, then Waterpik™ may be your ideal solution.

Importance of Cleaning in Between Your Teeth

Good oral hygiene is harder than it looks. You may feel that brushing with fluoride toothpaste after every meal is enough, but if a bit of food is left in the spaces between your teeth, all your daily efforts may be for nothing. Routine dental cleanings can help avoid that.

However, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends interdental cleaning daily to avoid various health risks, such as:

1. Plaque Build-Up

When bacteria in your mouth mix with sugary foods and drinks, they release acids to break down these carbohydrates. This harms the tooth enamel and leads to the formation of a sticky, colorless film called plaque.

Cleaning these hard-to-reach spaces is crucial to avoiding the formation of plaque. If not, it can lead to cavities on the teeth or tartar, which collects along the gum line, increasing the risk of developing gum disease.

2. Tooth Decay and Cavities

Plaque can cause tooth decay, which is the destruction of enamel. As it progresses, tiny openings or holes start forming at the surface of teeth, leaving the sensitive, deeper parts unprotected.

This causes sensitivity and pain in patients, in addition to leading to cavities.

3. Gum Disease

Brushing your teeth and flossing daily reduces the risk of getting gum disease, which can have serious health concerns. Some of these are:

• Gum disease bacteria can enter your bloodstream and have a negative impact on your cardiovascular health.
• If not treated, it can progress to a more serious infection called periodontitis. This makes the gums recede from the teeth, making them lose bone support and become loose.
• Periodontitis can also trigger an inflammatory response throughout the body.
• If someone is pregnant, the bacteria can reach their fetus and cause a premature birth or lead to low birth weight in the baby.

Then, What Can Waterpik™ Do?

Waterpik™ is a water flosser that uses a pressurized stream of water to remove food particles, bacteria, and plaque between teeth and under the gum line. This handy tool can make interdental cleaning much easier for patients who find string floss difficult to maneuver.

That may be your case if you:

• Have braces
• Have dental implants
• Have a nonremovable bridgework
• Have crowns
• Have a limited range of motion due to arthritis or an injury, for example

Some dentists consider that Waterpik™ can’t be a replacement for flossing. However, research on water picking suggests that the difference in plaque removal between these methods is minimal. So, as long as you’re comfortable enough to stick with it daily, whatever method you choose will be effective.

Maintain Your Oral Health with Our East Nashville Dental Office!

Some people prefer the control they get from flossing manually. Others like the practicality of a Waterpik™. Whatever you choose, make sure to stick with it, as the secret to good oral hygiene lies in consistency and regular check-ups with a professional. Give us a call!