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Don't Make These Mistakes When You Use A Water Flosser

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A water flosser can be an effective tool in your quest to keep your dental health in tip-top shape. While this device can be a considerable investment, it may save you money in the long run, thanks to its ability to keep your teeth clean — and hopefully not in need of frequent dental procedures. It's a good idea to consult with your dentist or your dental hygienist about using a water flosser, as well as carefully follow the instructions that come with the device. It can be easy to make mistakes with this tool, but the right approach can prevent this. Here are three mistakes that you shouldn't make.

Avoiding The Gumline

Some people who use water flossers are under the impression that they shouldn't shoot the water at or below their gumline. The belief may be that you're pushing food particles and bacteria below the gum, which doesn't sound good. The reality is that this is a good tool for cleaning along the gumline and even below it, which can be effective for preventing the growth of tartar. If the jet of water happens to push any food below the gumline, it will likely be only temporary — the continuous blast of water will then lift the food, as well as any plaque that has built up, away.

Not Being Methodical

There's little question that a water flosser can be fun to use, but it's a mistake not to be methodical about how you approach cleaning your teeth with it. Instead of just spraying the water haphazardly into your mouth for a few minutes, approach using this tool as you would using conventional dental floss. Start by directing the water between the gap at the rear of your upper teeth on one side, for example, and then methodically work your way across your teeth to the other side. Then, repeat this pattern on your lower teeth. Getting the water between each tooth in your mouth is the right way to use a water flosser.

Not Using The Tongue Attachment

Your water flosser has a variety of attachments to allow you to thoroughly clean your mouth. While you'll use the standard attachment for cleaning between your teeth most of the time, don't overlook the importance of switching to the tongue attachment before you wrap up the job. This attachment typically looks a bit like a spoon, and allows you to gently scrape your tongue from the back to the front, while shooting water on it to lift food particles and bacteria away.

For more information, reach out to dentists like Steven Abrams DMD.


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