Flossing plays a vital role in oral health by removing plaque from areas unreachable by a toothbrush. However, many people skip it due to discomfort or difficulty using traditional floss. Water flossers - devices that use pulsed jets of water - have emerged as an alternative. A 2024 systematic review by Mohapatra et al. compared their effectiveness with dental floss and found that water flossers generally led to greater reductions in plaque, especially in areas that are hard to access (Mohapatra et al., 2024).

This finding is supported by additional studies and expert consensus. Trials reviewed in the British Dental Journal reported that water flossers were up to 29% more effective at plaque removal and up to 90% more effective in reducing gum inflammation compared to string floss (British Dental Journal, 2025; Hamm, 2018).

Water flossing has also shown superior outcomes in managing gingival bleeding and halitosis when added to regular brushing. In clinical tests, even a brief three-second application removed over 99% of dental plaque from test surfaces, and users experienced fewer side effects like bleeding or gum irritation, making the method more tolerable for daily use (BDJ, 2025).

Importantly, water flossers are especially beneficial for people with braces, dental prosthetics, or limited dexterity, where traditional floss is less effective or hard to use. Although both methods improve periodontal health, the more consistent and comfortable performance of water flossers makes them a strong candidate for standard oral hygiene regimens.