Water Flosser vs Traditional Flossing: Which Is More Effective??

When it comes to oral hygiene, brushing your teeth is only part of the equation. Flossing plays a crucial role in removing plaque, food particles, and bacteria from between your teeth and along your gum line. While traditional string flossing has been the go-to method for decades, the advent of water flossers has introduced an alternative way to clean between your teeth. So, which one is more effective at promoting oral health? Let’s compare water flossers and traditional flossing to help you decide which method is best for you.

WHAT IS TRADITIONAL FLOSSING AND WATER FLOSSING ??

Traditional Flossing: Traditional flossing involves using a thin strand of dental floss, typically made from nylon or Teflon, to clean between your teeth. The goal is to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from areas that a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing is done by gently inserting the string between the teeth and curving it around each tooth, cleaning along the gum line.

 Water Flossing: Water flossing, also known as an oral irrigator, uses a stream of pulsating water to remove debris from between teeth and below the gum line. This method is typically easier for people with braces, dental implants, or sensitive gums, as it uses water pressure instead of friction.

Water pick users say their mouths feel fresher after use, and that’s because water flossers are more effective than dental floss or floss picks at plaque removal.

Studies show that water flossers remove 29% more plaque than floss. Water flossers are also more gentle for people with gum sensitivity. In addition, patients with less dexterity tend to find water flossers easier to use than most other interdental cleaners.

BENEFITS OF WATER FLOSSING

·       Water flossing provides a gentle yet powerful stream of water that can reach hard-to-reach places and deep clean

·       Gentle on gums, reducing irritation and bleeding. Most suitable for people with sensitive or inflamed gums

·       Effective for people with Implants, crowns and bridges, extensive fillings, braces

·       It is user friendly, requires less skill to use and is a great option for those with limited dexterity.

Limitations :

·       It may not remove plaque as effectively as traditional flossing.

·       Requires a power source and isn’t as portable.

·       Higher initial cost.

 

BENEFITS OF TRADITIONAL FLOSS

·        Effective at removing plaque and food particles.

·       Stimulates gum tissue for better gum health.

·       Inexpensive and widely available.

·       Portable and doesn’t require electricity.

Limitations :

 It can be difficult for people with limited dexterity.

It may cause gum irritation if done too aggressively.

Takes more time to perform effectively.

CONCLUSION

Consistency is key to maintaining good oral health, so pick the type of floss that you think you’ll be more consistent with. You can try one type and then switch to the other, alternate, and figure out which is your preferred method. At the end of the day, it’s just important that you’re prioritising a clean smile with little to no plaque. So as long as you’re doing that, you’ll be good to go!

To book an appointment with us

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133
iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic
Email: smileident@gmail.com
Website: www.smileident.com

 

Understanding Dental Crowns: Guide to a Perfect Fit

 

                                                         

So, your dentist has mentioned you might need a dental cap, or perhaps you’ve heard a friend talking about getting one, and now you’re curious – what exactly is a dental cap? In simple terms, a dental cap, commonly known as a crown, is like a protective cover placed over a tooth. It’s designed to restore the tooth’s shape, size, and function, especially if it’s been damaged or weakened. 

A dental crown isn’t just a cover—it’s a powerhouse of protection. Think of it as armour for your tooth, shielding it from damage and further wear. Crowns are made of durable materials like porcelain, ceramic, or metal, and they’re designed to replicate the look and feel of your natural teeth.

 

Dental crowns are versatile solutions used in various situations where teeth require extra support and protection. Below are common scenarios when a crown might be necessary:

 

1. Severe Tooth Decay: When a tooth is too decayed for a filling, a crown can provide the needed structure.

 

2. Fractured or Cracked Teeth: Crowns help hold a cracked tooth together, preventing further damage.

 

3. Post-Root Canal: After a root canal, teeth become weaker and more brittle, making crowns essential to preserve them.

 

4. Worn Teeth: Grinding or an improper bite can wear teeth down, requiring crowns for protection and restoration.

 

5. Dental Implants: Crowns are placed on implants to replace missing teeth, providing a natural look and feel.

 

When you have a crown made, you want a perfect fit. These are the characteristics to look for:

·       Good emerging angle from the gums for aesthetic reasons.

·       Proper contour against adjacent teeth for comfort and decreased chance of food impaction

·       Good contact between adjacent and opposing teeth for a comfortable bite.

·       Good colour matching so the crown blends in.

 

Sometimes, dentists and technicians make mistakes and end up fitting you with a bad crown. You know you have an ill-fitting crown if you face these problems:

·       Improper fit, resulting in tooth sensitivity, recurrent tooth decay and quick failure of the crown.

·       Over-contoured crown, resulting in gum inflammation and gum disease.

·       Loose crown, also resulting in gum inflammation and gum disease.

·       Too tight of a fit between adjacent teeth, resulting in toothaches.

·       No contact with adjacent teeth, resulting in food impaction and recurrent tooth decay.

·       Poor aesthetic appearance in terms of colour or shape.

If everyone knows the qualities of good crowns, why aren’t they all made properly? The fact is making good crowns requires a high level of skill, experience, and communication between dentists and dental technicians. A good crown and an ill-fitting one may differ very slightly. Just a few millimetres of over- or under-trimming can change your bite or the level of contact with adjacent teeth.

This is why it’s so important to choose a dentist with the skills and experience necessary to fit you with a good crown.

 

 

WHY TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH ?

Have you lost a tooth recently? Or perhaps you’ve had one or more teeth extracted recently due to damage, decay, or gum disease? Regardless of how a missing tooth goes missing, it is important to replace said tooth in a timely manner. Although you may not be worried about replacing missing teeth, especially if they are not immediately visible when you speak or smile, not replacing them can cause serious problems for your remaining teeth. Here are five reasons why you should replace missing teeth

                                                      

PREVENTING OVERGROWTH OF TEETH

When you have gaps left by missing teeth, it can lead to the teeth next to them shifting in an attempt to fill the void. If you have a tooth missing on the bottom, the tooth directly above it may grow longer due to the gap.

 

RETAINING FUNCTION

The primary function of your teeth is to grind and bite. When teeth are missing, it affects your ability to chew correctly. Your teeth also affect your speech, and missing teeth affect how the air flows during speech and can lead to speech impairment.

 

MAINTAINING AN EVEN BITE

To have an even bite, the whole upper and lower jaw must be full of teeth. When teeth are missing and there is a gap, eventually, the teeth will shift to try and fill the void, affecting the way the lower and upper arch meet. If you have an uneven bite, it can cause various issues that affect the jaw and teeth.

 

IMPROVING YOUR SMILE

When you replace your missing teeth, it will improve the aesthetics of your smile. It has been proven that having a pleasant smile that you feel good about has social, emotional, and professional benefits.

 

PREVENTS BONE LOSS

Once a tooth is lost, the jawbone is no longer getting stimulation from chewing, which will result in the body absorbing the bone tissue from the jawbone and using it in other locations. Eventually, the bone loss may cause the shape of your face to change significantly. If you want to prevent this, replacing your missing teeth with dental implants is ideal.

 Options For Replacing Missing Teeth

 

IMPLANTS

Dental implants integrate with your natural bone and are an ideal option. Implants are made from titanium, a biocompatible material and once the implant is secure and fully healed, a prosthetic tooth is attached. Implants are the latest, aesthetic options that do not involve adjacent teeth.

BRIDGES

These are often considered the second best option right behind implants.For a bridge, the two teeth on either side of your missing teeth will receive crowns, and then a fake tooth is added to replace your missing tooth. So it is like a set of joint caps. A bridge is fixed so you don’t have to constantly remove it, which gives it better functionality compared to the removable options.Bridges are also less expensive, and take much less time to complete than dental implants.

 

DENTURES

 In case of multiple missing teeth when implants and bridges cannot be done, Dentures are also a good option

Various types like complete dentures, removable partial dentures, cast partial dentures, Implant supported dentures are available. All have their specific indication which can be explained to you by your Dentist.

 To book an appointment with us

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133
iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic
Email: smileident@gmail.com
Website: www.smileident.com