Next-Level Clean: Are Water Flossers Good for Braces?

POsitively Awesome Ortho with Pachter Orthodontics

Let’s face it. Flossing with braces is a bummer. Water flossers are toothbrushing tools that give your dental hygiene routine more “spa day” vibes.

A water flosser is a modern dental hygiene tool that uses pressurized water to clean between teeth and under the gumline. Adding this hygiene sidekick to your bathroom counter makes cleaning those tight spaces easy and surprisingly satisfying.

But how does it work? Do I still need to use string floss? Will a water flosser clean my braces? There are a lot of questions you probably have, and we’re answering all of them in today’s Water Flossers 101 breakdown.

TLDR AI Summary: Water flossers are great tools for anyone, especially patients wearing Invisalign or braces. They use a pressurized stream of water to clean between your teeth and under your gums. Water flossers are gentle, easy to use, and safe for all types of orthodontic appliances.

What Exactly is a Water Flosser?

Water flossers are mini pressure washers specifically designed for your mouth, teeth, and gums. They can be handheld or sit on the countertop, with a tank that holds water or a cleaning solution. An angled nozzle with a special tip pressurizes the water stream so it has enough force to do its job.

Some brands include different tip types to customize your cleaning!

• Jet Tip: A precision tip for everyday dental hygiene maintenance.
• Orthodontic Tip: Has a brush to clean hardware on braces and orthodontic appliances.
• Plaque Seeker: Designed for major dental work or modifications, like implants, veneers, and crowns.
• Tongue Cleaner: A spoon-shaped tool that scrapes away food and bacteria on the tongue.

Waterpik, the most popular brand, pioneered the water flosser in the 1960s, and it was so successful that “Waterpik” became the generic term for these devices (like ‘Kleenex’ was for tissues). However, today you can find many different brands of water flossers on shelves!

How Does a Water Flosser Work?

While a water flosser might look straight out of sci-fi, it’s pretty straightforward. The device uses a pump and a specialized nozzle to pressurize water, creating a steady, powerful stream. By moving the nozzle around your mouth, you can target food particles, break away plaque, and flush out bacteria trapped below the gumline.

In addition to the different tip types, water flossers have adjustable pressure settings. Dial in a gentle rinse if you have sensitive gums or a more powerful blast when you really need a deep clean.

Can You Use a Water Flosser with Braces or Invisalign?

Orthodontic patients with braces, clear aligners, or permanent retainers are great candidates for Waterpiks! They take your dental hygiene to the next level.

Navigating a string around metal brackets and wires requires serious patience and a lot of bathroom-mirror acrobatics. Even specialized orthodontic flossers can be a pain. With a Waterpik, the stream of water shoots around your braces hardware, flushing every nook and cranny.

Invisalign patients who struggle to brush and floss diligently are more prone to cavities and gum irritation. Trays trap missed food particles and plaque against the teeth, giving bacteria more time to eat away at your enamel. A water flosser helps keep your gums exceptionally healthy and your teeth totally spotless whenever it’s time to pop your trays back in.

Bonus: The water stream massages your gum tissue to stimulate blood flow, reducing inflammation as your teeth shift. With every new set of trays or braces adjustment, your sore mouth will be happy when it’s time to break out the Waterpik.

Do I Still Need to Use String Floss with a Water Flosser?

Bad news: a Waterpik is a supplementary tool. It does not completely replace traditional string floss. String floss scrubs away stubborn plaque from the enamel and beneath the gums. In fact, it’s the only way to completely clean plaque off the tooth surface. Nothing else, even a toothbrush, has the force needed to totally remove plaque.

Add a Waterpik to Your Orthodontic Toolbox!

String floss scrapes off plaque between teeth, but a water flosser can clean hard-to-reach spaces between brackets, around Invisalign attachments, and along the gumline. While you shouldn’t abandon regular flossing for a Waterpik, they’re a perfect pair for patients with braces! If you’re interested in a water flosser, talk to your dentist or orthodontist about how this dynamic duo is perfect for a superstar smile.