Updated date:

Nov 26, 2019

Benefits of AirFloss vs. Waterpik vs. Manual Flossing

Author:

I wanted to find the best flossing method. Here are my reviews of the AirFloss, Waterpik, and old-fashioned flossing.

Which Is the Best Flossing Method?

Which is best: the AirfFoss, Waterpik, or old-fashioned manual flossing? There are not enough studies to establish an effectiveness comparison, but I gathered some information from dentists and used my personal experience to create a side-by-side comparison between the three different methods of cleaning teeth and gums.

One answer to this question is in fact another question: "What do you need it for?" That's because the methods are quite different in concept, and they target different sections of your dental health.

Which Is Best: Floss, Waterpik, or AirFloss?


Floss (Strong and Flossers)	Waterpik	AirFloss
Very effective between teeth.	Very good cleaning between teeth and in gum pockets.	Best solution for people with braces.
Inexpensive.	Can be messy.	Cleans under dental bridges.
Very hard to use for people with braces or dental bridges.	Takes up space in bathroom.	Less effective than Waterpik cleaning gum pockets.
Cannot clean gum pockets.	Very helpful for people with periodontal disease.	More expensive than dental floss.

Manual Flossing

Manual flossing is still the most highly recommended method to remove plaque and tartar from between the teeth.

Pros of manual flossing:

Inexpensive and very effective for cleaning between the teeth.

Cons of manual flossing:

Boring for many people (which means they don't do it).
Hard to use with dental bridges.
Very hard to use for people with braces.
Can cut your gum occasionally.
Does not clean the gum pockets.

Flossing Poll

Flossers

Using the regular dental thread is always a chore and can be a cumbersome procedure. Kids, teens, and adults hate cleaning between the teeth because it is tedious if you use a string. However, using flossers make this process so much easier. My teenage daughters don't skip cleaning between their teeth since we started with them. I am still using the regular string, but my daughters and my wife use Plackers flossers. Trust me, these things will convince any kid to floss regularly. Try it.

Waterpik

Waterpik has been on the market for a while now and that is for a reason: They work. When they first hit the market, they were regarded with skepticism. However, they are now accepted by most specialists who recommend them for their patients for treating gum diseases.

The oral irrigator is wrongly labeled by many as an alternative for manual flossing. It is not. Manual flossing works best for disrupting the plaque formation between the teeth—something the water flosser is not very good at. However, the water flosser will remove plaque and prevent tartar in the gum pockets, where neither the toothbrush nor the dental thread can reach. This area is usually cleaned by a technician. For patients with large pockets, this is a problem because there is no other method to clean this areas at home.

Pros of the Waterpik:

Very good for cleaning both the interdental spaces and the gum pockets.
Good results for patients with periodontal disease

Cons of the Waterpik:

It takes up a lot of space.
Can be messy during usage.
Does not disrupt plaque formation as well as dental floss.

I do my water flossing in the shower. This works the best for me because I avoid the mess with spilled water. I love the corded ones because they have longer running times and I don't need to fill it very often.

Waterpik Video

AirFloss

The AirFloss was developed recently by the dental care division of Phillips. It uses compressed air to push micro-droplets of water or mouthwash in-between teeth. The air and droplets combination remove plaque where a toothbrush cannot reach. In other words, is a replacement for manual flossing. While the Sonicare water flosser works just great too, some people might just not want to spend the money for a device. Well it is a little more than that.

But here is where the Phillips' invention comes in very handy:

It is the best solution for cleaning while wearing dental braces.
It is great for easy cleaning under dental bridges.
It is the best method to clean between the teeth for the unenthusiastic.

Cons of AirFloss:

It doesn't remove the larger food debris stuck in between the teeth.
It is less effective for gum pockets than the Waterpik.
More expensive than the regular dental floss.

Pros of AirFloss:

Easy and fun to use.
It's not messy.
It is a small and handy device, easy to store, and easy to fill.

I was a little circumspect about an air pick at first, but I got it as a gift so I gave it a try. In the past I used the Waterpik, which is pretty good because it stimulates your gums in addition to a gentle cleaning. But after I tried the AirFloss, I can tell you, this thing works! It actually uses a combination of air, and droplets of water, or mouthwash, whatever you choose to put in.

You have to position the nozzle exactly between the teeth, otherwise it won't work. It is very light and slim, and incredibly easy to use. (I hated the Waterpik because of the mess and the difficulty in use. I can only use it in the shower.)

The AirFloss cleans perfectly in every spot. My major concerns were with a little dental crown that is always hard to clean properly. And I was also concerned with my daughter's braces. Flossing with braces is a nightmare, all teens and parents know that, unless your kid is an angel. This thing works wonders for both my daughter and me.

The technology uses micro bursts of air and droplets of water pushed through with high pressure. My gums are grateful for this great gift.

AirFloss Video

Which Is Best: AirFloss or Waterpik?

If you have serious gums problems, the best for you is the Waterpik. It's not just a pick or floss replacement, it cleans the gum pockets in a gentle and safe way. It removes more plaque in general because it works on a wide surface. Here is a study published by the National Institutes of Health that compares the Waterpik to the AirFloss.

If you have kids that started to hate flossing because of the braces, the AirFloss is the best for them. It is a fun, easy, no-mess way to clean between the teeth.

If you get bored by the daily chore of cleaning between the teeth, and need some variation, the Airflows is your best choice.

If you want to clean under your dental bridges then either the AirFloss or the Waterpik will work fine, but the AirFloss is easier to use and makes less mess.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Your Comments Here

Shinichi Mine from Tokyo, Japan on June 20, 2014:

Makes me want to floss again. Great review of some great products here.

Takkhis on May 20, 2014:

It is a very useful item for us! Thank you.

williamslaw on April 16, 2014:

This is great! Thanks for sharing. Oral hygiene is very important.

24hourdentist on September 05, 2013:

@casnider: My girlfriend throws a fit about my flossing at the table. In my defense, sometimes I feel like I need that crud out from in between my teeth more than I need to breath! I feel exceptions should be made for such emergencies. Plus, it's not like I leave the debris on the side of my dinner plate.

ChristyZ on August 12, 2013:

Two of my kids have worn braces so far and flossing is most definitely a nightmare, I didn't realize that there were better alternatives available, this is very helpful information!

MaryMitchell on August 12, 2013:

Great comparisons between the different methods - very helpful, thanks.

anonymous on June 25, 2013:

thanks for the great reviews. as a new wire-mouth, i found the waterpic and essential add, but i certainly miss the easy access of just plain floss..but until the braces are off...your review made me want to add an Airflosser just to use it for mouthwash in the pockets!

norma-holt on June 21, 2013:

You have done a great review of these products and the personal touch is credible. Well done.

anonymous on May 30, 2013:

I love flossing, but my kids are having a hard time flossing with braces. Thanks for the info.

Cynthia Haltom from Diamondhead on May 25, 2013:

I love dental floss it is my friend. Every since my braces I have to floss after every meal.

anonymous on May 23, 2013:

Very useful article

OUTFOXprevention1 on May 23, 2013:

Always wondered how they compared. Thanks for the share!

TapIn2U on May 10, 2013:

This looks awesome! Might as well give this a try. Sundae ;-)

Dorian Bodnariuc (author) from Ottawa, Ontario Canada on April 14, 2013:

@casnider: LOL, private for sure. But things are changing, I see many people that do private things in public.

Gardener Don on April 13, 2013:

I'm a recent WaterPik convert, and am amazed at how effective they are. Even after a thorough brushing of my bridge work, the WP eradicates a surprising amount of "debris".

chi kung on March 03, 2013:

I also us olive oil for cleaning my teeth - "chewing it" for a couple of minutes then letting it out - it cleans a lot of stuff out not just from our teeth but cleans our tongue as well - which is great :) a very informative lense!

casnider on February 28, 2013:

I fully endorse flossing, but have to discourage Hubby when he tries to floss in public (at the table no less). He just doesn't see the problem. Maybe we should talk about flossing etiquette here. Public or private?

classendentistry on February 26, 2013:

Flossers, definitely a big fan of those. Don't require anything besides grabbing one out of a bag, flossing, and disposing of it.

Jo-Jackson on January 27, 2013:

Very informative.

OUTFOXprevention1 on November 18, 2012:

Interesting info. Thanks for the lens.

johnsja on November 15, 2012:

I do it manually but I agree it is tedious. MIght give the airfloss a try.

Jen withFlash on November 14, 2012:

I love the flossers. I didn't think I would but once I tried them, I was hooked!

Thetoothfaerie on November 12, 2012:

I love my waterpick but I'll have to try the AirFloss.