I am using dental floss..
Dental floss sometimes causes gum injuries.
It's difficult because the inside of the molar doesn't touch well...
I think I should buy a Waterpik...
Waterpik flossing is really effective...
Where should I look for the special deals...
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[Kim Hyun-jung's Mouth Exploration]
Plaque between teeth and in the gums cannot be removed by brushing alone. Plaque lodged in hard-to-reach areas also needs to be managed with dental floss or water floss. [Photo = Getty Images Bank]
Plaque is a biofilm attached to the surface of teeth and is the main cause of cavities, gingivitis (gum inflammation), and more advanced chronic periodontitis. For oral health, proper daily oral care is essential. Proper oral care involves effective brushing and flossing to remove plaque attached to the teeth, as well as managing the soft biofilm attached to the oral mucosa.
However, brushing alone cannot remove all the plaque that forms in a day. Even after brushing, about 60% of plaque may remain, which varies depending on each person's dental and occlusal condition, as well as the type of toothbrush used, brushing duration and frequency, and brushing technique. In particular, if proper brushing methods such as the Watanabe method are not used correctly, removing plaque from within the gums becomes even more difficult. As a result, many people suffer from gum disease and ultimately lose teeth, leading to implant procedures. Most gum diseases are caused by plaque between teeth that cannot be removed by brushing. Therefore, it is important to prevent gum disease by using dental floss or water flossers like Waterpik to remove plaque between teeth at least once a day.
Dental floss and water flossers are effective not only for removing plaque between teeth but also for eliminating plaque inside the gums. Flossing is the most basic method for removing plaque between teeth, capable of removing up to 80% of plaque in those areas. However, proper use of dental floss requires training, skill, and takes time.
From January 2002 to October 2022, a meta-analysis of 7 randomized clinical trials involving 396 patients, retrieved from six databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, Lilac, and Google Scholar, showed that water flossers were more effective than dental floss in plaque removal. In particular, water flossers were also effective in removing plaque from within the gums.
The Waterpik water flosser, first introduced in 1962 by American dentist Gorur A. Lyle in Colorado, is relatively easy to use. Above all, it is effective in removing plaque and tartar from gums, reducing gum bleeding, and decreasing periodontal pocket depth in cases of chronic periodontitis. For these reasons, many dentists actively recommend the use of water flossers after brushing for patients suffering from chronic periodontitis.
Water floss uses pulsation and pressure to remove plaque loosely attached to the surface of teeth with a single stream of water. This process effectively removes plaque not only between teeth but also beneath the gums without side effects such as tooth abrasion that can occur with brushing.
Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment or receiving implant procedures showed a significant reduction in plaque and gum bleeding after using a water flosser compared to the control group that only brushed their teeth. Additionally, diabetic patients are at higher risk of gum disease and tend to develop it more severely, but water flossing is more effective than brushing alone. In a 3-month randomized trial with 52 diabetic patients, the group that used a water flosser twice daily showed a significant decrease in gum inflammation, plaque, and gum bleeding compared to the control group that only brushed. Using a water flosser after brushing is a habit that can help maintain oral health.
People brush their teeth for an average of 30 to 60 seconds. The American Dental Association recommends the '2-2-1' rule, which means brushing twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time and using dental floss once a day. Especially when oral health is poor or diabetes is present, the use of water floss is strongly recommended.
In the era of living to 100 years old, it is important to develop proper oral hygiene habits from childhood. Brushing alone cannot remove all the plaque accumulated throughout the day, and on average, 60% of plaque remains even after brushing. In particular, plaque between teeth and within gums cannot be removed by brushing alone. Use dental floss or water flossers to clean out plaque lodged in hard-to-reach areas. Let's cultivate good habits from childhood for overall health.
Reference materials
Mohapatra S, Rajpurohit L, Mohandas R, Patil S. Comparing the effectiveness of water flosser and dental floss in plaque reduction among adults: A systematic review. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2023;27(6):559-567.
https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/cced/2012/04/relevance-of-the-water-flosser-50-years-of-data
Kim Hyun-jung smd@kormedi.com
![치아 사이나 잇몸 속 플라그는 칫솔질만으로 제거되지 않는다. 치실이나 물치실로 구석구석 자리 잡은 플라그도 관리해야 한다. [사진= 게티이미지뱅크]](https://imgnews.pstatic.net/image/296/2024/07/19/0000080031_001_20240719110112493.jpg?type=w430)
