A Waterpik is a brand name for water flossers, also called oral irrigators. It has become a popular dental hygiene option for people who struggle with traditional flossing with a dental thread. Also, your periodontist might recommend using a water flosser in addition to traditional flossing to improve the condition of their teeth and gums. But can a Waterpik help with gum disease? In this article, we will answer this question and explain how and why you can use a water flosser in your daily oral hygiene routine.

What Is a Waterpik?

A Waterpik is a device that sends pressurized streams of water through a thin nozzle. It can be used to loosen and remove food debris and bacteria from the spaces between teeth and along the gum line. Please remember that a water flosser can not replace traditional brushing and should only be used in addition to it.

How to Use a Waterpik?

Start your oral hygiene routine by flossing with thread, and then use a water flosser to clean out the rest of the debris between the teeth and along the gum line. Finish your routine by brushing your teeth thoroughly. Alternatively, you can start with a water flosser to loosen up the debris before flossing with thread and brushing your teeth. It is recommended that you brush your teeth as a last step of your cleaning routine to remove all the loose debris and bacteria.

To start using a Waterpik, fill the container with lukewarm water, place a nozzle into your mouth, lean over the sink, and switch on the device. Hold the nozzle at a 90-degree angle to your teeth and clean each tooth on both sides, in between the teeth and along the gum line.

Waterpik Versus Traditional Flossing

Waterpik can be recommended to people who find it challenging to floss their teeth with a thread due to excessive bleeding of gums, braces, or difficulty using their hands. However, in most cases, dentists recommend using waterpik in addition to regular flossing. Some studies suggest that traditional floss is still more effective than water floss.

This being said, a Waterpik can improve the condition of your gums and help clean places that you can not reach in any other way. A water flosser is especially good for people who have dental bridges to help clean around the bridge. It is also effective for cleaning along the gum line on both sides of your teeth. Consider adding a Waterpik to your daily oral hygiene routine to boost its effectiveness.

Can a Waterpik Help With Gum Disease?

Because a Waterpik is effective at cleaning hard-to-reach spots in your mouth, using it can significantly improve your oral health. It can help clean periodontal pockets formed by gum disease and prevent the further development of periodontitis. In fact, many dentists recommend a water flosser to people with gum disease. It is also helpful if your gums bleed a lot due to gum disease and you can not floss properly because of this. Using a water flosser can reduce bleeding.

Even though using a water flosser can enhance your daily oral hygiene routine and help maintain dental health and the health of your gums, it might not be sufficient to treat gum disease. In many cases, professional periodontal disease treatment is required to solve the issue.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Healthy gums are even in color (from light pink to dark pink or brown) and hug the teeth snugly. Do you have any of the symptoms listed below? It might indicate that you have gum disease and should seek professional treatment as soon as possible:

• Swollen gums
• Irritated, red or purple gums
• Gums that feel tender or painful when touched
• Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
• Bad breath that does not go away after brushing your teeth
• Pain when chewing or brushing your teeth
• Loose or mobile teeth
• Gums that pull away from the teeth (gum recession)
• New gaps that appear between the teeth
• Pus in the gums

Gum disease can be treated in early stages. However, if left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and jaw bone deterioration. In addition, it can affect general health. Lung and respiratory diseases, heart issues, premature birth, and low birth weight can be caused by gum disease.

Make an Appointment Today

If you need quality periodontal disease treatment, do not hesitate to make an appointment at our office today. Specialists at LA Wilshire Perio will carefully examine your gums, determine the cause of the disease, and offer you an effective course of treatment. We are looking forward to welcoming you to our dental office.