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

Sharma NC, Lyle DM, Qaqish JG, et al. Am J Ortho Dentofacial Orthop 2008; 133(4):565-571. Study conducted at BioSci Research Canada, Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

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 and five adolescents with fixed orthodontics participated in this single-centre, randomised study. Bleeding and plaque biofilm scores were collected at baseline, day 14 and day 28.

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.