Is a Waterpik better than flossing?They actually have different purposes. Flossing removes plaque (bacterial biofilm) from teeth to prevent it from creating cavities, gingivitis and periodontitis. It is also effective removing irritating and unsightly bits and pieces of food.
The Waterpik and other oral irrigation devices are excellent for removing food stuff from hard to reach places like periodontal defects caused by periodontitis and the nooks and crannies around braces. However the Waterpik will not remove the sticky biofilm called plaque and that is what creates the acids and toxins that damage teeth and gums.
If you want to improve your oral health you will need something mechanically abrasive like the floss and toothbrush and other oral health instruments to rub that plaque off.
Note: in the early days of Waterpik, they had a setting powerful enough to remove plaque, but it also separated the gums from the teeth and drove bacteria into the gum tissues around the teeth. Not good and it got fixed
It is still a wonderful adjunct to good oral health if you have braces or periodontal defects or gum recession that leaves food traps between your teeth.
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