Will A Waterpik Give You Whiter Teeth?

Waterpiks are becoming increasingly popular nowadays, with thousands of people switching their usual toothbrushes for the water flosser. If you have not heard of a Waterpik, they are devices that look like an oversized dental pick. The best way to describe how it works is to imagine taking two of these and putting the tips at opposite ends of your teeth and rocking them around – that’s more or less what happens when you use one of these (although with far less damage).

So, does a Waterpik make your teeth whiter? Many believe that this can be used to whiten teeth, and this may be partially true. However, Waterpiks work best with healthy and complete oral hygiene. 

The claim by many people who swear by using this device every day is that it makes their teeth whiter. But does it? We will get to this later in the article – let us first take a closer look at the history of this device and what it does before we get into whether or not it can make your smile brighter.

 

History of Waterpiks

Waterpiks were originally developed by an American Dental Surgeon named Gerald Moyer while he was working in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Dr. Moyer noticed that many of his patients complained about having gum problems and receding gums so he set out to create something that would help people to resolve these issues. The Waterpik was created in 1962 and since then has become somewhat of a household name.

It was not until 2004 that the Waterpik became somewhat of a sensation when an article in O Magazine mentioned how it helped one reader to resolve her problem with bleeding gums and receding gums. This led to an explosion in sales and now, over 10 years later, the company has sold well over 1 million units.

Waterpiks can now be used by people all over the world to help them improve their oral health and dental hygiene.

What Is The Waterpik?

The water flosser is a device that has earned its way into many homes as an alternative to the daily chomping down on a toothbrush.

It uses pressure and water to clean the mouth, removing plaque and tartar that bristles are simply incapable of dealing with. The water flosser is also much more convenient than traditional string floss because you do not have to go through the tedious process of wrapping it around your fingers.

The main reason why people swear by using a Waterpik daily is to help them deal with gingivitis and receding gums. The tools help to rid the mouth of plaque, which is the main cause of gum inflammation according to many dentists.

Types Of Waterpiks

Keep in mind that there are two different kinds of these devices – one that you can use with water (primarily meant for travel or camping) and there is also a type for home use which uses an air/water mixture instead of just water alone. It seems like most people will recommend the latter because it has more power than the former.

Benefits of Waterpiks

It has been proven that using these tools can help people who suffer from gum disease (gingivitis) because it removes bacteria and plaque. Therefore, the more often you use it, the better your gumline will look.

Some studies show how the Waterpik helps to reduce tooth decay by removing food particles which leads to healthier teeth.

Although this device does not specifically remove stains on its own like a toothpaste would (using abrasives), there is some evidence that suggests if used every day as part of your oral hygiene routine, it can help with discolorations.

Will Your Smile Be Whiter?

So let us get to the bottom of this. Can using a Waterpik make your teeth whiter?

If you are asking whether or not it can remove stains on its own, the answer is no – at least not by itself. If you do use the water flosser, however, keep in mind that it will remove some plaque but not all of it (and not all of the bacteria).

It also cannot whiten your teeth on its own because stain removal requires harsh chemicals and bleaches which are best left out of your oral hygiene routine for this very reason. Therefore, if you want to get rid of stains or discoloration, go ahead and use your unit every day but don’t expect miracles.

Also remember that there are many types of stains (tobacco, coffee, wine, etc) that you cannot expect to remove even if you clean your teeth at least twice a day. They will take time and lots of dedication to accomplish this task.

If you are using this device for gumline problems like gingivitis or receding gums (which has also been linked with increasing the risk of oral cancer), make sure that you brush your teeth after using it because it doesn’t do much good if you leave behind food particles and plaque buildup. The water flosser may be able to help by removing some bacteria but not all of it so brushing afterward is always helpful.

Using the Waterpik With Braces

Also keep in mind that although these devices have great reviews, if you have braces, you will need to be careful with how often you use a Waterpik because the force of the water can loosen your teeth. If this happens, or if they are not tightly secured in place, they can move around which is why Waterpiks are not recommended for people who have these devices.

Many dentists recommend replacing your unit every 6 months so do not think that just because an older model works well now it should still be used even though newer technology is readily available.

And finally – most importantly – do NOT use the Waterpik immediately after you have any dental work done whatsoever! This includes fillings and implants. Why? Because it is too strong of a stream and will damage your materials as well as the rest of your teeth. Just wait until they are completely healed before turning it on.

Tips For Whiter Teeth

Whitening your teeth is something you need to do at home. Using a water flosser can help remove food contaminants and plaque but cannot whiten your teeth. So if you are looking for the best ways how to make your teeth whiter, make sure to check out these 5 tips.

Touch Up With Teeth Whitening Strips

If you do not have a big budget, but you want your teeth to shine brighter, try using whitening strips. They are inexpensive and very easy to use:

• First, wet your toothbrush and dip it in the whitening powder (you can purchase this in any local drugstore). Then brush your teeth with the powder for about two minutes.
• Wash off the excess powder from your toothbrush and then lay down one strip on each side of your mouth (avoid touching the gums).
• Leave the strips on for about half an hour, after which you can remove them and brush your teeth as usual.

Whitening strips will not make your teeth whiter overnight; they will take some time before showing their full potential. And if you want to speed up the whitening process, try using them in combination with a peroxide gel.

Cut Back On Caffeine And Alcohol

If you are looking for how to make your teeth whiter, it is advised that you cut out coffee and alcohol from your diet. Why? Because both of these drinks can damage tooth enamel and cause staining over time, especially when combined with smoking or poor oral hygiene.

Make Sure You See Your Dentist

Even though there is plenty of teeth whitening at home products available on the market (some effective), we still recommend seeing a dentist before trying any DIY methods.

They may give you professional advice and prescribe certain pharmaceutical products. So, if you want to know how to make your teeth whiter, consult with a professional first.

Brush With Baking Soda And Salt

This is another safe trick that will not cause any damage to your enamel or gum tissue.  It is also very easy to do: all you need is baking soda and salt.

First, mix two tablespoons of salt with one tablespoon of baking soda. Then add enough water so this mixture gets to the consistency of toothpaste.  Next up, brush your teeth for about five minutes using this homemade mixture (don’t forget to cover all surfaces).

Eat More Fruits And Vegetables

Did you know that some fruits are also great home remedies for whitening teeth?  One of them is a strawberry – rub the inside of two strawberries on your teeth and you will see how they can make your pearly whites even brighter. But it’s not recommended to eat these fruits afterward as they are likely to cause tooth staining.

Remember, if you want to keep your teeth white, invest in good whitening toothpaste and avoid drinking too much coffee or tea (even healthy herbal teas) and other dark-colored beverages because that is where most stains come from.