WATERPIK® WATER FLOSSERS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE ORAL HEALTH WHEN USED WITH OSCILLATING ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH
New Study Proves That Brushing Alone Is Not Enough in Reducing Clinical Signs of Inflammation and Plaque
Fort Collins, CO – Waterpik®, the number one Water Flosser brand, recently evaluated the efficacy of a water flosser in addition to an oscillating power toothbrush, in a four-week randomized controlled clinical trial. The study found that while brushing with an oscillating power brush alone did improve oral health, the addition of the Water Flosser provided significantly superior results for people with mild to moderate gingivitis.
This study complements previously published research using a manual or sonic-powered toothbrush, and shows that no matter the toothbrush used, even high-end power toothbrushes, the addition of a Waterpik® Water Flosser is significantly more effective at removing plaque and improving gum health than brushing alone.
The trial studied 70 adult participants who were randomized and assigned to either the Waterpik® Water Flosser plus Oral-B® Pro 2000 with Precision Clean Brush Head group (WF), or the Oral-B® Pro 2000 with Precision Clean group (OR), to study the efficacy on the reduction of gum inflammation and plaque. After the clinical trial, study results revealed:
• Using a Waterpik® Water Flosser in conjunction with the Oral-B® Pro 2000 with Precision Clean Brush Head was significantly more effective than using the same brush and brush head alone:
o 37 percent more effective in reducing gingival bleeding
o 36 percent more effective in reducing gingival inflammation
o 33 percent more effective in reducing plaque
Additionally, a questionnaire completed by the participants revealed that subjects in both groups felt that the Waterpik® Water Flosser and the Oral-B® Pro 2000 Toothbrush were easy to use and that the instructions were clear and easy to follow. Notably, 91 percent of participants who used the Waterpik® Water Flosser in addition to brushing said they would continue to use the products after the study, while only 60 percent of the brushing-only group would continue using their product.
“After every dental appointment, I recommend to each of my patients that they add a Waterpik® Water Flosser to their oral care routines,” said dentist Dr. Chris Strandburg. “I’ve seen convincing results first-hand in my own patients, and it is evident that brushing alone is not enough when it comes to proper oral hygiene.”
“Our clinical trials are the root of what we do,” shares Deborah M. Lyle, RDH, BS, MS, Director of Clinical & Professional Affairs Waterpik®. “We constantly strive to provide clinically meaningful and scientifically-driven results that address oral hygiene needs for our target consumer, while showing that the Waterpik® Water Flosser is an easy and more effective alternative to string floss, air floss, and interdental brushes.”
For more information regarding this study, please visit https://www.waterpik.com/oral-health/pro/clinical-research/water-flosser-oral-b-electric-toothbrush-inflammation-2020/.