Does using a water flosser make the gaps between your teeth wider?Many people are concerned about this: Will the gaps between their teeth widen after using a water flosser? Today, we’re here to address this concern.
1. A water flosser won'tWide gaps between the teeth。
"Tooth gaps" refer to the spaces between teeth that regular brushing cannot reach, so you have to use dental floss, or Oral Irrigator That’s the only way to rinse away the buildup inside. When you use a water flosser to remove tartar from between your teeth, but your gums haven’t returned to their original state, the gaps between your teeth naturally appear wider.
2. There are many reasons why gaps between teeth widen
Generally, food particles become lodged between the teeth, allowing bacteria and other microorganisms to invade the gums. Over time, tartar forms and continuously irritates the gums, leading to gum recession. Therefore, dental plaque is the primary cause of widening gaps between teeth. It is recommended that you maintain good brushing habits to thoroughly remove bacteria from your mouth and prevent plaque or tartar from adhering to the gums and damaging the periodontal tissues. You should also visit the dentist every six months to a year for a checkup to determine whether a full-mouth scaling is necessary.
3. Do I still need to brush my teeth if I use a water flosser?
A water flosser is designed to remove food debris from between the teeth, below the gumline, in the pits and fissures, and in cavities (tooth decay), while a toothbrush is very effective at removing plaque from the surface of the teeth through friction; therefore, brushing is essential. However, a toothbrush cannot thoroughly clean the entire mouth (e.g., pits and fissures, below the gumline, and other hard-to-reach areas). The two methods are complementary and cannot replace one another.
4. Can a water flosser remove tartar?
Dental calculus forms when food debris reacts with saliva and calcifies; it requires professional scaling at a reputable dental clinic. Using a dental irrigator to remove food debris after meals can help slow the formation of new calculus. Be very careful when evaluating any dental irrigator that claims to remove tartar—avoid falling for scams! (If an irrigator can flush tartar away, it likely means the tartar is relatively new.)
SoThe idea that water flossers widen the gaps between teeth is unfounded., Using a water flosser actually helps protect your gums and makes your teeth whiter and smoother.
