This is the question. It’s a tale (almost) as old as teeth: patients don’t like to floss.
In fact, a 2015 survey from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) showed that more than a quarter (27%) of U.S. adults lie to their dentist about their daily flossing habits. Over one third (36%) of those surveyed said that they would prefer to do some other unpleasant activity over attending to a bit of daily flossing, including tackling a sink full of dirty dishes (18%), cleaning the toilet (14%), or spending an hour in gridlock traffic (a staggering 9%!).1
That’s frustrating for dental professionals, who know the many benefits associated with regular flossing—especially when it comes to gum health.
According to the AAP President, “There are more than 500 bacterial species that can be found in plaque, and brushing alone does not remove the bacteria that live below the gumline.”
Plaque accumulation below the gumline can lead to irritation and swelling that may eventually progress into full periodontal disease. Periodontal disease in turn is associated with many chronic conditions (diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular issues, and even some types of cancer, to name just a few).2
This is especially troubling given that the Canadian Dental Association reports that as many as seven in ten Canadians will develop gum disease at some point in their lives.3
So, maintaining good oral health is important for maintaining good overall health. Why then are so many patients resistant to using string floss in their daily oral care routine? Most have good intentions regarding their oral health, but many find string floss to be uncomfortable, unwieldly, too time-consuming, or some combination of all three. Solutions for the string floss ambivalent (or averse) patient should therefore be as easy, comfortable, and quick to use as possible.
Enter Waterpik™. As far back as 1962, Waterpik™’s inventors knew that patients often balk at the thought of daily string flossing. That’s why they developed the first Waterpik™ model, and why they continue to lead innovation in the water flossing market today.
Depending on the model (and there are many to choose from), patients can adjust the amount of pressure used to best fit their comfort level. Some Waterpik™ water flossers come with a 360-degree rotating tip handle that makes it easy to access hard-to-clean areas, eliminating the need for the complicated maneuvering that is sometimes required with string floss.
Waterpik™ also boasts a range of tips designed to address a patient’s unique oral health needs, including the Orthodontic Tip (for patients with dental appliances), the Plaque Seeker™ Tip (for patients with dental work or dental implants), and the Pik PocketTM Tip (for patients with periodontal pockets).
Best of all, a complete water flossing session with Waterpik™ only takes 1 minute per day.
So, next time you encounter a patient who would rather clean the toilet than floss their teeth, you know what to recommend.
Learn more about the easy, most effective way to floss*† at waterpik.ca.
*Applies to: Waterpik™ Aquarius, Waterpik™ Ultra, Waterpik™ Cordless Advanced, Waterpik™ Cordless Advanced 2.0, Waterpik™ Cordless Express, Waterpik™ ION, Waterpik™ Cordless Enhance
†Compared to string floss and interdental brushes.
1. American Academy of Periodontology. 2015.
2. Gum disease and other diseases [Internet]. American Academy of Periodontology; 2019 [cited 2024 Jul 24]. Available from: https://www.perio.org/for-patients/gum-disease-information/gum-disease-and-other-diseases/.
3. Gum Disease FAQs [Internet]. Canadian Dental Association; [cited 2024 Jul 24]. Available from: https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/faqs/gum_diseases_faqs.asp#:~:text=Very.,disease%20before%20it%20becomes%20serious.
