Taking time to eat well and exercise is a critical priority in everyone’s life. But what about taking time to focus on your oral health? Just like exercising does more than improve your outer appearance, taking care of your teeth is more than just maintaining a pretty smile. Taking care of your teeth is vital to your overall health. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily helps prevent tooth decay and promotes gum health to help fight gingivitis and gum disease. But it can be challenging to know the best way to floss and brush your teeth to make sure you maintain a clean and healthy mouth.

Tooth decay and infection in your mouth can cause issues in other parts of your body, not to mention the pain and discomfort tooth decay will cause. You must help fight gingivitis and tooth decay daily. Making regular dental care a top priority is a must if you want to maintain a clean and healthy mouth and smile. Without proper prevention and appropriately taking care of your teeth, bacteria in your mouth can travel to other parts of your body and can cause major health issues. According to the American Heart Association, “Good oral hygiene and regular dental care are the most important ways to reduce risk of a heart infection called infective endocarditis caused by bacteria in the mouth.”

Brushing your teeth is an essential part of your regular dental care routine to maintain a clean and healthy mouth. When you brush your teeth, the bristles clean the surface of each tooth. But your job isn’t done until you floss! Flossing helps remove food particles stuck between your teeth, leading to decay, cavities, and gum disease. It’s best to floss after you brush to help remove any food particles stuck between your teeth. But what is the best way to floss?

There are so many different products available when it comes to flossing and taking care of your teeth. The traditional dental string floss that your dentist has politely reminded you to use since you were a kid, floss picks with a convenient handle to help reach in the back of your mouth, and water flossers! So, which one should you use as part of your regular dental care? Is one better than the other? Is water flossing better than using traditional floss?

A water flosser is an electronic hand-held device that uses pressure and water to help remove food particles and build-up between your teeth and along your gum lines. Like dental floss, this will help fight gingivitis and help to prevent staining and tooth decay. Using a water flosser is also helpful for people with braces where using dental floss isn’t an option. Most water flossers have multiple water pressure settings that allow you to select the best water pressure for your teeth and gums. The water flosser tips are designed to help you reach all areas of your mouth, making it easier to take care of your teeth and gums.

Types of Water Flossers

Some water flossers come with a covered water reservoir that allows for multiple uses without needing to add more water. This type of water flosser must stay plugged in and is not portable, but you don’t have to refill the water reservoir as often. Having a larger water reservoir is convenient if multiple family members use the water flosser. Many water flossers come with several flosser tips to allow multiple people to use the same base. Using a water flosser with a base and larger water reservoir may be the most cost-effective option and a space-saving benefit for a shared bathroom.

Cordless Water Flosser

If you prefer a more portable option, there are cordless water flossers that don’t require a plug while you floss. A cordless water flosser is especially convenient for flossing in the shower to prevent water from spraying on your countertops and mirrors. Many cordless water flossers also come with multiple flosser tips to allow multiple people to use the device. However, the water reservoir is attached to the actual water flosser. It is much smaller for the cordless water flosser than those with a completely separate water reservoir requiring a cord. A portable water flosser is also really convenient if you like to travel. It is around the same size as an electronic toothbrush and can easily fit in a carry-on bag, making it easy to maintain a clean and healthy mouth on the go! Maintaining a regular dental care routine has never been easier.

Whitening Water Flosser

Some water flossers come with whitening tablets and whitening strips that you incorporate into your water flossing routine if you want whiter teeth. For example, the Waterpik Whitening Water Flosser uses whitening tablets you can add to the water flosser to help whiten your teeth while you floss. This is an excellent option if you want to use an at-home whitening treatment. Always check for the ADA seal of approval before using any whitening products.

While using a water flosser may be easier than using traditional dental floss, it doesn’t mean it is the best way to floss. Ideally, you don’t want to use a water flosser instead of traditional floss. While a water flosser is very beneficial when taking care of your teeth, it doesn’t have the same effect as using traditional string floss. If you find it’s difficult to use just a string of floss, try using the floss picks that we mentioned earlier in the article to help you reach between teeth that are in the back of your mouth. However, if you are just completely opposed to using the traditional string floss, using a water flosser is better than not flossing at all.

For extra tips on the best way to floss your teeth, check out this helpful article from Healthline! Help fight gingivitis, tooth decay, and stains by taking care of your teeth the right way. Talk with your dental care team to discuss the best dental plan for your oral health, and always let them know if you have any questions or concerns. Taking care of your teeth should always be a priority!

Check out some of our favorite dental and oral hygiene products to help you keep a clean and healthy mouth!

Toothbrushes

• Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush with SenseIQ
• Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500 Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush
• Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9700 Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush
• Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9700 Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush
• Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Rechargeable Toothbrush 2-Pack
• Philips Sonicare Genuine W DiamondClean Replacement Toothbrush Heads
• Philips Sonicare Genuine C3 Premium Plaque Control Toothbrush Heads
• hum by Colgate Smart Electric Toothbrush Kit
• hum by Colgate Smart Manual Kids Toothbrush 
• hum by Colgate Replacement Toothbrush Heads
• Goby Electric Toothbrush

Floss

• GUM 891J Professional Clean Flossers
• Reach Cleanbrush Waxed Dental Floss
• Reach Waxed Dental Floss
• Boonboo Dental Floss – Bamboo Woven Fiber – Biodegradable & Sustainable
• Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Threader
• Listerine UltraClean Access Flosser with Refill Pack
• GUM Professional Clean Flossers, Floss Pick

Water Flossers

• Oral-B Water Flosser Advanced, Cordless
• Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser
• Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
• Philips Sonicare Power Flosser

Toothpaste

• Sensodyne Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
• Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth, Cool Mint, Gluten Free
• Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste, Mint Flavor, Gluten Free
• Philips Sonicare BreathRx Whitening Toothpaste, Mint
• 3 M Oral Care Clinpro Tooth Crème, 0.21% NAF Anti Cavity Toothpaste, Vanilla Mint
• Colgate Optic White Renewal Enamel Strength Teeth Whitening
• Colgate Anticavity Kids Toothpaste with Fluoride for Ages 2+, Watermelon Burst Flavor

Mouthrinse (Mouthwash)

• TheraBreath Plus Fresh Breath Dentist Formulated Maximum Strength 24-Hour Oral Rinse, Peppermint
• TheraBreath Healthy Smile Dentist Formulated 24-Hour Oral Rinse, Sparkle Mint
• TheraBreath Healthy Gums Periodontist Formulated 24-Hour Oral Rinse with CPC, Clean Mint
• TheraBreath Fresh Breath Dentist Formulated 24-Hour Oral Rinse, Mild Mint
• TheraBreath Fresh Breath Dentist Formulated 24-Hour Oral Rinse, Icy Mint
• Colgate Optic White Alcohol Free Whitening Mouthwash, Fresh Mint
• Philips Sonicare BreathRx Antibacterial Mouth Rinse, Clean Mint
• Listerine Total Care Alcohol-Free Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash, Mint

Teeth Whitening

• Opalescence at Home Teeth Whitening Gel Syringes, 4 Pack, Mint
• Opalescence Go – Prefilled Teeth Whitening Trays, Mint
• iSmile Teeth Whitening Kit
• Crest 3D Teeth Whitening Strips Kit
• Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen

Were you familiar with a water flosser before you read this article? Have you ever wondered about the best way to floss? What are some of your favorite dental hygiene products to keep a clean and healthy mouth? Comment Below!