866
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2023
866 points (98.0% liked)
Asklemmy
43777 readers
1380 users here now
A loosely moderated place to ask open-ended questions
If your post meets the following criteria, it's welcome here!
- Open-ended question
- Not offensive: at this point, we do not have the bandwidth to moderate overtly political discussions. Assume best intent and be excellent to each other.
- Not regarding using or support for Lemmy: context, see the list of support communities and tools for finding communities below
- Not ad nauseam inducing: please make sure it is a question that would be new to most members
- An actual topic of discussion
Looking for support?
Looking for a community?
- Lemmyverse: community search
- sub.rehab: maps old subreddits to fediverse options, marks official as such
- !lemmy411@lemmy.ca: a community for finding communities
~Icon~ ~by~ ~@Double_A@discuss.tchncs.de~
founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
A water flosser
It's made me way more likely to floss and it's so satisfying to do after eating any sort of food that gets stuck in your teeth
I've heard it's not as efficient as regular floss picks. Is that true?
A water flosser does nothing against calculus. I use one myself and it’s a nice feeling but for calculus you need real floss picks and brute force.
It's effective against algebra though, factor that into your calculations
I thought the only way to get rid of tartar is by using specialized dentist tools?
No you can scratch it off with those metal base brush sticks that you stick through the openings between your teeth. It’s not perfect but if you do it regularly it helps A LOT. The dentist will have to clean up the trickier parts though (like the inside/back surfaces).
That is what my dentist told me
I find it more efficient, I'm getting stuff from between my teeth which I can't get out with a regular floss pick.
I'm pretty sure studies have been done that show it doesn't have the abrasive power of actual floss, so it's not as good at removing plaque. Fine at removing solids generally, which helps, but actual floss tends to be better.
Didn't know about that. Good reason to use both.
I legitimately didn't know something like this existed, thank you. is there any reason why one would continue using normal disposable floss rather than a water flosser?
Yes, a water flosser does not help against calculus. But it’s still a nice fresh feeling with water so it’s not a bad thing. But to get rid of calculus you need to physically rub/scratch it off with floss sticks between the teeth.
Source: All knowledgable dentists
That's unfortunate, I need some help in maths class..
It shouldn't replace regular flossing, but if it is between no flossing, or only occasionally flossing, and using a water flosser every day, I'd imagine using just the water flosser is still a net positive.
Already commented on another, but my understanding is that water flossing isn't as good at removing plaque as actual floss, since it isn't as directly abrasive. It's great if you wouldn't floss normally otherwise, but migrating from flossing regularly to only water flossing regularly is a downgrade in dental hygiene.
You're correct that it isn't as good of an alternative as flossing but you're meant to do both.
You should floss, preferably with actual floss and not a pick, and then follow that up with water irrigation. You dislodge food and break up the plaque with the floss and flush it out with the water flosser.
I've generally had good luck with the Waterpik brand. My last one lasted like 6-7 years before it started to leak, which for a $50-70 product is decent enough for me.
I swear it's the only reason I still have all my teeth
I use a charcoal lined floss in a reusable glass container. For whatever reason I could never find a water flosser I liked.
I'd add a copper tongue scraper to the dental hygiene kit. That thing made my general plaque build up significantly less/reduced. Now I somehow feel unclean without it and a toothbrush on the tongue just doesn't even come close.