Brushing and flossing are essential for maintaining oral health and preventing gum disease. Some people may find flossing difficult because of the complex technique and end up hurting their gums.
For such people, dentists and oral hygienists recommend an innovative solution known as Waterpik, an effective flossing alternative.
If you are even a little interested in the oral care Industry, then for sure, you have listened about Waterpik. It is a great invention, but different researchers have claimed that it may increase the risk of infection.
Now, if you are curious and Wondering, ” Can Waterpik cause infection” then you are at the right place. Here I will discuss Waterpik’s features and if it can cause infection in detail.
Can Waterpik Cause Infection?
The short answer to this question is a yes. Waterpik can lead to infection, and Instead of improving oral health, it may worsen it, but there are some circumstances under which there is a risk of developing infection or ailment. To better understand how Waterpik can cause infection, we need to know what a water flosser is and how it works.
What Is a Water Flosser ?
If the term water flosser is entirely new to you and you are wondering how to use it and why your dentist recommended you the water floss, then let me introduce you to a water flosser
A water flosser is an alternative solution to manual floss. It is a primary oral health appliance that provides extra oral care.
It performs the duty of manual floss, but instead of using any thread water flosser removes plaque by a combination of pulsation and pressure delivered by a high-speed stream of water.
The most effective water flosser brand is Waterpik, so here we will discuss Waterpik flossers.
The Waterpik flosser removes food particles, bacteria, and plaque that may be left behind after brushing and using mouthwash.
The pulsations produced by Waterpik also help to stimulate the blood flow to the gums, which helps to improve gum health and fight gingivitis. If you are someone with orthodontic appliances such as braces, then you know how difficult it is for you to floss your teeth, and it may take a long time for such people. Waterpik has special orthodontic tips which remove plaque without any difficulty or inconvenience.
Also, with Waterpik, you need to replace the tip after three months and not daily like manual floss.
For people with other orthodontic appliances such as crowns and veneers, it is also a challenging task to clean their teeth and remove all the food particles as the stray food particles may get caught in the tiny crevices around the brackets of braces and stuck in between the interdental spaces in such cases if you are unable to floss properly with the help of a manual floss then gradually plaque will convert into Tartar increasing the risk of cavities, gingivitis, and tooth loss.
How Does Waterpik Work?
Using a Waterpik is simple and effective. Once you get used to it and select your preferred model, flossing will become your favorite task.
For using a Waterpik flosser, fill its reservoir with warm water and place it on its base, select your desired tip. If you are someone with braces, then select an orthodontic tip and put it on the handle. If you are using the water flosser for the first time, keep the pressure control at low pressure and gradually increase until you feel that the frequency and pulsation are sufficient for removing plaque.
Gently move the water tip along your teeth and gums by keeping it at a 90-degree angle until you feel all the food particles are removed. When you finish flossing, turn the Waterpik off and use the eject button to remove the tip.
Different researches have claimed that Waterpik is 50% more effective in reducing plaque, 20% or 2x time more effective at reducing bleeding, and remove debris 30% more efficiently than manual floss, but still, there is more risk of infection if your use water flosser there are two factors which may lead to the development of infection if you’re using a water flosser.
- When you use manual floss, you tie the floss around your teeth and move it in upward and down motions, but that’s not the case with a water flosser, so in a water flosser you are using a high-pressure water stream, which may push bacteria inside the gingival pocket instead of removing it this can lead to infection and bleeding the bacteria may become a part of the bloodstream and cause secondary infections in the body.
- Sometimes due to improper cleaning of the Waterpik reservoir, the water in the reservoir is contaminated by bacteria and fungi; flossing your teeth with such water increases the risk of different infections.
Some Other Cons Of Using A Water Flosser
- Waterpik is a very reliable tool if used correctly, but there are also some other cons of using Waterpik, such as its price. When we calculate the total cost of a Waterpik, including replacement head and other accessories, its price is much more than a regular floss; also, you must replace the head tips after 3 to 6 months.
- It is difficult to use at first and can be a little Messy; you may get all wet when using a water flosser at first.
- And another drawback of using a water flosser is that it can effectively remove the debris and food particles but may not scrape plaque from teeth. Manual floss hugs the teeth and, with up and down motion, scrapes the plaque away, which reduces the risk of causing gingivitis and cavities.
My Opinion
Most of the time, people ask me If I prefer using a water flosser or a manual floss; the answer to this question is controversial as in some cases water flosser wins the race while in other manual floss gets the lead if we compare the efficiency of both these tools then the both are equally efficient, but manual floss can remove plaque more effectively.
If you use a water flosser at maximum pressure, then it can also perform the same function.
If I compare the cost of a water flosser with manual floss, then manual floss wins a point.
I use a water flosser five days a week and a manual floss two days a week.
You can also go for one of your choices; make sure that you are comfortable with your selected medium for flossing teeth and that it works effectively for you.
FAQs
Can Waterpik damage gums?
No it is very rare that a waterpik can damage gums or any soft tissue of mouth
Can I use hydrogen peroxide or peridex in a water flosser?
Yes you can add these in the water reservoir of waterpik. It will help to enhance cleaning effect
Is waterpik effective for gum recession?
Yes Waterpik is effective for people suffering from gum recession or gingivitis
Conclusion
if you are someone who wants to buy a water flosser but is confused by the statement that ” can, Waterpik cause infection.”
Then I suggest you buy one because a water flosser doesn’t cause any infection but using it carelessly can.
follow the instructions given above, and you are all good to go.