Floss Wars: Traditional vs. Water Flosser Showdown

Picture the 1800s, a time when dental care was as rudimentary as it gets. Sailors, faced with the challenges of maintaining oral hygiene at sea, resorted to using threads from their clothing to remove food particles stuck between their teeth. While this method might have seemed effective at first glance, it often left teeth dirtier due to the thread's inability to thoroughly clean the spaces between teeth.

Dr. Steven Jaksha, D.M.D, Zelmin's Resident Bad Breath Expert, sheds light on the limitations of this age-old technique: "Using the same thread for multiple teeth drove plaque and food down into the gums, essentially making the process counterproductive. It's like trying to clean a dirty surface with a dirty cloth."

Astonishingly, traditional dental flossing hasn't changed much since then! While still widely practiced, it has its drawbacks. The thin thread, typically made of nylon or Teflon, is passed between teeth to remove plaque and food debris. However, if not used correctly, it can push plaque and bacteria further into the gums, leading to inflammation, potential gum disease, and BAD BREATH!

Contrary to popular belief, not all floss is created equal. There are various types of dental floss available, including waxed, unwaxed, flavored, and tape floss. Each type has its unique properties and may be more suitable for different individuals based on their oral health needs and personal preferences.

However, advancements in dental technology have introduced alternative methods that offer a more effective and efficient way to clean between teeth. Enter products like the WaterPik – a revolutionary tool that uses a stream of water to remove plaque and food particles from between teeth and below the gumline. Dr. Jaksha likens it to upgrading from a horse-drawn wagon to a modern car, highlighting the significant improvement in dental care over time.

Research cited by Medical News Today in 2017 supports the effectiveness of the WaterPik, showing a remarkable 74+% reduction in plaque compared to a 57+% reduction with traditional dental floss. This marked difference underscores the potential benefits of incorporating WaterPik into one's oral hygiene routine.

But these benefits extend beyond plaque removal. By disrupting the mouth's bacterial biofilm through cleaning, "water flossing" can actually freshen your breath! Coincidentally, that's just one of the ways that Zelmin's Minty Mouth ALSO fights bad breath. When using Zelmin's - either by sucking the mint coating or by chewing the capsule to burst and release our powerful parsley seed oil formula - you're actively disrupting your mouth's bacterial biofilm too, resulting in a fresher and cleaner oral environment.

In conclusion, while traditional dental flossing remains a viable option for maintaining oral hygiene, solutions like the WaterPik offer a compelling alternative! Either way, the key is to maintain consistency in your oral hygiene routine to promote healthy teeth, gums and fresh breath for years to come.