Is a "Waterpik" a good thing to have for a child with braces?

[CanBeGrumpy]

My son is getting braces soon and I was wondering if it would be a good idea to get a "Waterpik" to help keep his teeth clean. He is very, very good about dental hygiene, and I know he will still floss (even though it will be much more difficult), but I didn't know if the Waterpik would be one more way to ensure his dental health. What do you think?

Thanks!

 

[lemondog]

When I had braces way back in the early 80s, my ortho required me to use a Waterpik. Can't hurt!

 

[swanmom]

My DD didn't like using it (because it requires filling the tank, cleaning it afterwards, etc. She didn't like even those few steps added to her morning and evening rotine) but it really did help. If your DS is willing to use it, definitely go for it

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree. It was highly recommended when my DD had braces.

 

[mtemm]

that's what I had when I had braces oh so many years ago. I definitely will get one for my kids when its their turn (notice I say when, not if. sigh.)

 

[Disney Ella]

I have two kids in braces. I have seen those individual wand-type waterpiks (or similiar brands). Does each child need their own wand or is changing the tips for each all that you need to do?

 

[swanmom]

Mine came with four color-coded (so you knew whose was whose) 'wands' - which could easily be attached to the tube.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I was required to have one when I had braces.

 

[Ronda93]

How would one floss with braces? I assumed you couldn't, no?

Ronda

 

[laurie31]

Flossing is very important

With braces it's much more time-consuming, but possible. My girls have a thing made of very soft flexible plastic, that looks like something to assist with threading a needle. You use it to get the floss through the braces so you can clean the gums. Our orthodontist is very strict about flossing. He says there's no reason to pay thousands to have straight teeth if they're just going to fall out later.

OP - I think a waterpik is a great idea. I honestly didn't know they still made them. I think I'm going shopping!

 

[KAMLEM]

My daughters' orthodontist gave them Waterpiks when they got braces.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

My DD has a waterpik and braces. She prefers that to the time consuming flossing, though she does floss occasionally too. They have so many devices for braces wearers these days that they did not have when I was in them!

 

[Cindy B]

My kids ortho recommended the Sonicare toothbrush instead of the Waterpik. That worked out so much better for us because we already had the the Sonicare brush!

 

[bumbershoot]

My girls have a thing made of very soft flexible plastic, that looks like something to assist with threading a needle. You use it to get the floss through the braces so you can clean the gums.

Yep. Used those when I had my braces in the very early 80s.

Also used a waterpik. I think that perhaps the waterpik was more important for braces then than now, because the brackets are just bonded on the front now. I sometimes think I had the last full band braces ever (oh those hurt) put on an American kid...they made it MUCH harder to floss, and the waterpik was excellent for it.


I hate flossing b/c it always hurts my gums, and I recently asked the dentist if they still made the thready-through things b/c that way you aren't slamming the floss up/down on my gums (my teeth are tight together in the front)...he gave me a handful! It was very nice of him.

 

[Disney Ella]

Mine came with four color-coded (so you knew whose was whose) 'wands' - which could easily be attached to the tube.

Thanks for the info. I will have to look at the ones online. There wasn't much of a selection at the store.

 

[rie'smom]

My daughter's said no WaterPik as it could drive stuff under her gums. He also said that it could bend wires. Figures though that different orthos have differnet opinions.