Hi, I'm Rachael and I'm a floss-aholic

Flossing, or any interdental cleaning for that matter, has always had two big thumbs up from me. But what I'm all about for me personally at the minute is a Waterpik water flosser which I'm using twice a day, everyday, before brushing. And occasionally using floss and interdental brushes, but if you know me, you'll know I'm a bit extra.

So this is the newest and sexiest Waterpik on the market at the moment and its RRP is about £84.99. This is the one I'm using and was lucky enough to get it for 50% off at a trade show. It is cordless, essential for me as I dont have a socket in my bathroom where I can plug it in, it has multiple tips and heads for a whole range of cleaning which I will discuss more in a second AND it has a wireless charger. Wowsers.

It also has a plainer, less fancy sister which is retailing at about £54.99, which has a lot of the same features minus the wireless charging. And since I've always been a personality girl anyway, if this chick is in your budget, go with this one.

So I used to think that water flossers we're a bit gimmicky, another gadget in a never ending sea of dental gadgets, but as they have developed there is now a lot of recent positive research to show that they can really make a difference. Waterpik claim on their website that using their water flosser safe, reliable and is 50% more effective than flossing alone. Interesting.

Do I think the Waterpik is better than Tepes/interdental brushes though? I'm not sure. When I look at the stream of water that is coming out of a Waterpik I would say that it could match an interdental brush with a diameter of about 0.5mm (red Tepe), 0.6mm (blue Tepe) at a push. So for you guys out there who are using 0.7mm - 1.5mm (yellow - black Tepe) I'm not sure if using this alone ESPECIALLY around the back molar teeth & premolar teeth is the best option for you. You could however use it in addition to these bigger interdental brushes and I'll give you a gold star.

If you using larger interdental brushes due to Gum Disease or Gum Recession etc things might be a bit different for you, speak to your Hygienist or Dentist about it and they will create a tailor made routine for you that will suit you best. There is an initial study on the Waterpik website claiming that Waterpik water flossing is better than using interdental brushes but the jury is still out for me.

For me personally, in terms of interdental brushes I would use a range of 0.4mm, 0.45mm and occasionally 0.5mm (or pink orange and red if you speak Tepe) so as I discussed about I think the stream of water coming out of the Waterpik marries up with this and lets face it if I can quickly use one thing to easily do one job, I'm going to do just that.

Having said that my main goal is to have patients using the best tool for them, consistently in between their teeth on at least a daily basis. So if interdental brushes and flossing really isn't for you because you either don't like the sensation, or you just find interdental cleaning too awkward or confusing this could be a good option. I have seen the evidence of this with my own eyes with scores of patients who didn't like flossing or using interdental brushes (or who point blank refuse to do either) switching to a water flosser and really loving it, and their gum health improving massively in the process.

So why am I really loving it and why do I rate it so much? Lets discuss.

1)Its Easy-ish

It takes a bit of practice and getting used to, I usually recommend that my patients start at the back molars, close their mouth around the tip of the Waterpik work toward the front of the mouth moving along the gum line and in between the teeth as they demonstrate in the video below.

Don't be nosey, if you open your mouth the water will go everywhere! Now often this can be hilarious, I have witnessed a few Waterpik fails, but it will mostly just be annoying.

Work your way around your mouth quarter by quarter, turning the Waterpik off and spitting the water that is in your mouth out each quarter. Takes some practice but once you get it, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

2)Its Fast

Last time I timed myself using a Waterpik it took me 27 seconds. Bazinga.

I admittedly don't always go around the inside areas as they demonstrate in the video for two reasons. Firstly, I have just recently watched the video and I didn't realise you had to, any demo I've had have been in person at trade shows and it has completely went over my head so there you go, I've even leaned a little something writing this.

Secondly I believe in my toothbrushing technique that I will link here which should be the main foundation of your oral hygiene routine and using the water flosser at the gum line is a bonus.

3)Its Good for Implants

I do really love recommending X Floss and X Floss Lite for my implant patients and I think this gives the best results, so I will always recommend this first, ill insert a video here of how to use

But the feedback I mostly get for this product is it FIDDLY. Especially if you have implants replacing molar teeth, and this is where the Waterpik comes in handy.

The Plaque Seeker Tip is ideal for this job, in addition to or instead of the X-Floss/X-Floss Lite if you're finding this awkward. Move the water flosser with the plaque seeker tip in between the implant and around the gum above the implant allowing the tufts of the bristles to sweep plaque away here in addition to the pulsating water as shown in the video below.

4)Its Good for Crowns and Bridges

Same kind of principles for crowns and bridges the plaque seeker tip in addition to the water helps agitate the gum line around crowns disturbing plaque here more thoroughly and helps clean the space where the dental bridge sits on top of the gum line.

I do however still really like X Floss and X Floss Lite for these areas too, so speak to your Dentist or Dental Hygienist if you're unsure about what is best for you to use.

5)Its Good for Braces

Braces are tricky and MAGNETS for plaque and a Waterpik can be really helpful in this ongoing battle as they can get around the gum line and into the different nooks and crannies that even an electric toothbrush can not. You can also go one step further and attach the orthodontic tip, which will help sweep plaque away from the gum line, brackets and wires, keeping you, your Hygienist and your Orthodontist happy. Halleluiah.

This video has some good points about brace care generally, but if you're just interested in seeing the orthodontic tip in action, skip forward to 2:43

6)Its Good for the Environment

I'm on the blue plant bandwagon, and if using a Waterpik reduces my plastic waste from interdental brushes, or using just as many interdental brushes I'm all in.

Tepe do have a really good initiative at the moment with the 'GOOD Toothbrush' but this hasn't filtered through to interdental brushes yet - I am assured though that this is in the pipeline.

Yes electricity is required to charge the waterpik up and its made of plastic too, but once you have it, you have it and the plastic tips are good for at least 6 months so in my book David Attenborough would be on board and so am I.

7)I Believe its More Cost Effective in the Long Run

Initially more expensive yes, but once you have it, it could replace many different interdental tools you're using and buying on a regular basis - but again please check with your Dentist or Dental Hygienist that it is suitable for you to use a waterflosser. Kind of like buying a car, initial sting but then you're just cruising straight towards the horizon. Also the better your plaque control is, usually the less money and time you need to spend at the Dentist so.....

8)It Works

I'm seeing visible results daily for me and my patients. Yay.

Some Important Housekeeping Points to Remember

You've gotta clean your Waterpik i'll leave a link here
You've gotta change the tips, anything with a bristle I would change three monthly, the plastic tips I would change about 6 monthly and ill leave the link for new tips here
You've gotta empty it out after each use - sometimes this is unnecessary as one fill of water should be enough, but sometimes I get feedback that a second fill is required halfway through, although this has never happened to me, but if this is the case just tip out any leftover water from the reservoir afterwards.

So, if you're stuck in a rut with your routine or are finding it more difficult to comply with the more traditional floss and or interdental brush route the Waterpik might just be for you, granted of course you're suitable as we discussed above and its in your budget.

My advice would be if something is always better than nothing and to give it a go, practice makes perfect, just don't forget to brush.

You can buy Waterpiks online here, on their website or in larger supermarkets or chemists - just think of those Boots points.

If you would like a Dental Hygiene appointment, you can visit me at Moira Cosmetic Dental or Bupa Dental Care Glengormley and you can follow me on Instagram @homegirlhygienist

https://www.waterpik.co.uk/professional/clinical-research/

https://www.waterpik.co.uk/oral-health/tips-accessories/PS-100EUK/

#waterpik #waterflosser #healthygums #interdentalcleaning #gumhealth #denetalhygiene #dentalhygienist