Waterpik Water Flosser: 3 Times as Effective as String Floss for Orthodontic Patients

The Effect of a Dental Water Jet with Orthodontic Tip on Plaque and Bleeding in Adolescent Orthodontic Patients with Fixed Appliances

Objective

To compare the use of a manual toothbrush and the Waterpik Water Flosser with the Orthodontic Tip to manual toothbrushing and flossing with a floss threader on bleeding and plaque biofilm reductions in adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances. A control group consisted of brushing only.

Methodology

One hundred five adolescents with fixed orthodontics participated in this single-center, randomized study. Bleeding and plaque biofilm scores were collected at baseline, day fourteen, and day twenty eight.

Results

The Waterpik Water Flosser was over three times more effective than flossing and over five times more effective than brushing alone for the reduction of plaque biofilm. For bleeding, the Water Flosser was 26% better than flossing and 53% better than brushing alone.

Conclusion

Adding a Waterpik Water Flosser with the Orthodontic Tip to manual toothbrushing is significantly more effective at improving oral health in adolescent orthodontic patients than adding manual floss or brushing only.