Water Flosser versus Traditional Flosser: Which is More Effective at Removing Food Debris and Plaque?

Objective: To discuss which is more effective in removing food debris and bacterial plaque: Water Flosser or Dental Floss. Methodology: During the construction of this narrative review article, it was necessary to create a methodological strategy that would meet the article's need to have the maximum amount of current and relevant information on the topic, which would be scientifically proven and rich in support. Thus, searches were carried out in the following databases: DeCs, BVS/BIREME, PROSPERO, Scielo, PUBMED Central, Science Direct, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library in conjunction with Google Academy. Results: Studies that seek to analyze the effectiveness of Water Flosser and Dental Floss show that both can remove food and bacterial plaque effectively, with Water Flosser being more suitable for people who use orthodontic appliances, complete dentures or who have motor difficulties, while Dental Floss would be suitable for people who are not part of these three groups. Conclusion: Scientific evidence confirms that both Water Flosser and Dental Floss are effective in cleaning the mouth, however, certain studies show that Water Flosser is slightly more effective in removing plaque and food debris. Therefore, it is essential that the dentist analyzes the difficulties and needs of each patient individually to determine which option is more viable and beneficial for each respective case.