If you have problems keeping your teeth and gums clean after you visit your dental hygienist, invest in a water flosser. Water flossers clean areas of the mouth that may be too difficult to floss manually, such as close to the gumline and at the very back of your mouth. Your regular floss may not be as effective as you need it to be when it comes to cleaning hard-to-reach areas, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Here's what you should know about a water flosser and what you should look for when you shop for one.

Is a Water Flosser Safe for Your Gums?

The water flosser, also called a water pick or jet, doesn't damage your gums because of how it works. The flosser shoots out a thin stream of water that gently flows over your teeth and gums. Regular floss may cut your gums if you slide it too far up the gumline. Bacteria can enter the cut and infect your gums. If you currently receive treatment for gingivitis, or mild gum disease, a water flosser may be safer for you.

Sources report that water flossers remove over 99 percent of plaque from your teeth. Plaque forms a living film of bacteria on the surfaces of your teeth that can spread to the tissues below your gumline. A water flosser washes away the biofilm, which makes your teeth look and feel a cleaner and healthier.

In addition, the water released by jets hydrates your gums. If you suffer from dry mouth, or xerostomia, you can benefit from using a water flosser each day.

What Features Should Your Water Flosser Have?

When you shop for a water flosser, purchase one with multiple picks. Picks that feature slim or pointy heads can help you remove stains from between each tooth. Picks with long bristles attached to their heads can remove pieces of stringy meat and vegetables caught between your teeth. Food trapped between your teeth can attract bacteria and decay. 

You can use your water flosser alone or after you manually brush your teeth. However, most water flossers come with round, small toothbrush heads to eliminate this problem. The toothbrush heads come with firm bristles to clean teeth thoroughly.

It's a good idea that you use whitening toothpaste along with your water flosser. The toothpaste will help break down the stains on your teeth and polish your teeth in between dental hygiene visits.  For the best results, use the water flosser twice a day to maintain a healthy mouth.

For more tips on how to protect your teeth and gums, contact your dental hygienist today.