“Is higher or lower pressure better with water flossers?”
I just got a waterpik and have been working my way up with the water pressure. (I still floss regularly, too.) I feel comfortable with it halfway, but is there any particular benefit to putting it higher or lower? Or does it have the potential to damage your gums?
26 Answers
Starting around 4 and moving up to 6-8 is a good setting. If it is not painful to move to 9-10 it is more powerful and can dislodge more debris and irrigate deeper around the gum pockets. This wouldn't normally cause damage to the gums. Gums that are healthy will not bleed and should not hurt when using the waterpik.
It is important to floss before the waterpik to help mechanically loosen some of the debris and have a more effective result. and the pockets will also become more shallow as they become healthier as a result of remaining clean and free from debris and bacteria.
It is important to floss before the waterpik to help mechanically loosen some of the debris and have a more effective result. and the pockets will also become more shallow as they become healthier as a result of remaining clean and free from debris and bacteria.
Actually about halfway is probably perfect. It is not too much force and not too little. At too high of a level it may be possible to hurt your gums if you are not careful. A waterpik is a great partner with flossing.
Great potential to damage your gums. A better option is an air flosser which is lower force and a mixture of air and liquid.
Mid way sounds good. Excessive pressure could be damaging.
I would start at a lower pressure first and gradually increase the pressure if needed. Use your common sense when doing so. I have had patients hurt their gums from turning the pressure up too much. Be careful!
Depends upon why you are using the water flosser. If it is to get hunks of food out from braces, then I'd use higher pressure. If it is to tickle your gums, I'd use lower pressure. If it is to clean between your teeth and prevent dental diseases, I'd use floss.
Half way is the safest while still being effective.
leave it half way. that is safest.
I always recommend to use a middle setting anywhere between 4-6. If you are below that the benefit is not that much and if you are above that it has the potential to cause harm.
No known damage to the gums with increased pressure. Use it to your own comfort.
Waterpik us a great product. I use one myself. I try to set it up to 8 out of 10 if it goes up to 10 or at high (on other models)at all times. It is more effective at removing food debris and plaque between teeth if set on high. If you have gum disease, you can use the Pik Pocket tip. This rubber tip is safe below the gum line and it automatically only allow a lower pressure through even if you have the setting set on high. Sometimes gums bleed, that does not mean that it is hurting your gums. You may have had a food particle trapped below your gums. Bleeding should go away in a few days. If it continues, consult a dentist.
Truthfully, nothing is going to substitute the mechanical flossing. The other gadgets are only used to supplement original techniques. If you feel comfortable with what you are doing, go for it.
Lower is better. Ask your hygienist to go over proper techniques. Misused can cause more damage than good.
High pressure on a waterpik can cause damage to the tissue, if the jet is not aimed at the tissue properly. You really should not use the highest pressure, that way it will be less likely to cause damage.
Your gums are consist of two parts; one part of your gums are mobile and the other part of your gums are attached and fixed. Attached gums are pink in color. If this part of your gums are bleeding during flossing you need to bee seen by dentist before you adjust the pressure. If you are not bleeding you can use any pressure as soon as you clean between your teeth.
A powerwasher can remove paint from a surface when it's used at a high enough force. A WaterPik will not remove gums but it can damage them and cause recession at a high enough force. Do not use it at higher than halfway.
Yes, there is the potential to cause damage with too much pressure. The same holds true for too much pressure with floss and use of the tooth brush. I would leave the pressure at half way. Your hygienist would notice if there is damage being done.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rankin
Sincerely,
Dr. Rankin
The higher pressure will not detrimental effect on your gums. You can use any pressure as long as your teeth and gums are not sensitive. It is perfectly fine to keep it on the halfway mark.
Too much pressure can damage your gums however usually with approved flossers the settings won't allow you to harm yourself. Take precaution if it feels too much and adjust the settings as needed.
I would err on the side of less water pressure. Waterpiks are a great adjunct to brushing and flossing!
It is unlikely to damage your gums, but I would leave it where you feel comfortable. I always tell my patients who have a WaterPik to continue to floss.
Neither, water flossers don't work for most people. There are only a few people they work well for. If you are using a regular floss, your are doing a great job already.
Extra pressure could damage soft tissue I am not affiliated with Phillips so I can freely tell you that Airfloss by Phillips is a great product. Always consult your dentist prior to purchasing dental products.
As long as you're directing the tip of the flosser correctly Down The Long axis of the tooth the lower pressures will usually be more comfortable getting used to the Appliance and as your gums toughen from the stimulation they become Pinker and less red therefore less swollen and healthier in general. You can add some mouth rinse and heat the water a little warmer from the tap to experiment with what seems to do the most effective thing for you. A good rule of thumb is you don't want to see blood in your mouth when you get finished.
Unfortunately, higher settings can cause trauma to your gums.
I think lower the better as long as you remove the food and bacteria.
