Waterpik vs. Floss

When it comes to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, brushing alone isn’t enough. Cleaning between teeth is essential for removing plaque, preventing cavities, and keeping gums strong. But with so many options available, many parents and patients ask us: Is a Waterpik (water flosser) better than traditional floss? Let’s break down the differences so you can choose what works best for your family.

Traditional Floss is a thin string (waxed or unwaxed) that you slide between teeth to remove plaque and food debris.

Pros: Excellent at scraping plaque off the sides of teeth, inexpensive and portable, and doesn’t require batteries or water!

Cons: Can be tricky for kids or those with braces, requires proper technique to be effective, and some people find it uncomfortable or time-consuming!

Waterpik (Water Flosser) uses a steady stream of pulsating water to clean between teeth and along the gumline.

Pros: Gentle and easy to use, especially for kids with braces, reaches areas traditional floss might miss like in-between wires

Cons: More expensive than traditional floss, needs water and electricity/batteries, and doesn’t always scrape plaque as effectively as string floss

So, which is better?

For most patients, using traditional floss is going to have the best ability to physically scrape plaque away, and clean underneath the gums. For kids with braces, a Waterpik can make cleaning between teeth and underneath metal wires much easier! At the end of the day, the best method is the one you’ll use every day. Consistency is the key to a healthy smile!