While many people know about the benefits of electric toothbrushes, the perks of water flossers are less well-known. They do, however, play a beneficial role in oral hygiene.
Flossing is crucial for gum health because it removes debris and plaque from areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush—such as between teeth and below the gumline. Plaque forms when bacteria mix with food and saliva to create a sticky film. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar and creates the perfect environment for gum disease to develop.
A water flosser, also called an oral irrigator, sprays pressurized water into spaces that can be hard to reach with conventional dental floss. While this machine does not replace dental floss in an oral care routine, it can augment flossing by making it easier to reach certain areas of the mouth effectively.