A water flosser is a handheld device that projects a focused stream of pressurized, pulsating water to clean the teeth and gums. These tools are especially beneficial for individuals with fixed orthodontic appliances, such as brackets and wires, which create surfaces difficult to reach with a toothbrush or traditional floss. Maintaining hygiene is challenging with braces, and dental professionals recommend incorporating a water flosser into the daily cleaning regimen.
Specific Advantages for Orthodontic Hardware
Braces introduce hardware that traps food particles and promotes the accumulation of plaque biofilm. The brackets, wires, and bands create areas where bacteria can thrive, significantly increasing the risk of gingivitis and decalcification marks on the enamel. The water flosser addresses these issues through a targeted jet of water that can penetrate spaces inaccessible to other cleaning tools.
The pressurized water stream flushes out food debris and loose plaque from around the brackets and beneath the archwire. This mechanical action is effective at clearing the small gaps between the bracket and the tooth surface. Removing this debris helps reduce inflammation caused by trapped particles irritating the gum tissue surrounding the hardware.
The pulsating water action cleans into the gingival sulcus, or pocket, where the gum meets the tooth. Consistent use helps to disrupt and flush out the bacteria responsible for gum disease in these hard-to-reach areas. Clinical studies have shown that water flossers are significantly more effective than string floss in reducing plaque and bleeding gums.
Optimal Technique for Cleaning Braces
To maximize the cleaning effect around orthodontic hardware, begin by filling the reservoir with lukewarm water. Set the pressure dial to a low or medium setting initially, increasing the intensity only once you are accustomed to the sensation and confident in your technique. Lean over the sink and keep your lips slightly closed around the tip to control the water spray.
Start with the back teeth and work systematically toward the front, cleaning the cheek-side of the teeth first before moving to the tongue-side. Position the flosser tip at a 90-degree angle to the tooth surface, aiming the water stream at the bracket and the gumline. Trace along the gumline, pausing briefly at each bracket to allow the water to thoroughly flush the area.
After cleaning the gumline and the front of the bracket, direct the stream to flush underneath the archwire. Move the tip gently from one tooth to the next, following the line of the wire and brackets. A thorough cleaning should take approximately one minute, ensuring you cover every surface of the tooth and all parts of the orthodontic hardware.
Integration with a Complete Oral Hygiene Routine
While effective for debris removal, a water flosser does not replace mechanical brushing. Brushing with a manual or electric toothbrush is required to disrupt and scrub the sticky biofilm, or plaque, directly off the tooth surfaces. The water flosser functions as a complement, dislodging particles and rinsing away the loosened plaque that the brush may have missed.
For patients with braces, water flossing is easier and more efficient than using traditional string floss with a floss threader. String floss requires careful maneuvering under the archwire for every single tooth, while the water stream easily navigate the wires and brackets. Because string floss provides a scraping action against the sides of the teeth, some dental professionals recommend using a specialized orthodontic tip with the water flosser for the best results.
These specialized tips feature a small, tapered brush designed to help scrub the areas around the brackets while the water flushes the debris. The water flosser reservoir can be filled with plain water, or a small amount of non-alcoholic mouthwash can be added to the water. If mouthwash is used, flush the device with plain water afterward to prevent mineral buildup and residue inside the flosser mechanism.