Water Flossers vs. Electric Flossers: Which is right for you?

When it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene, flossing is crucial. However, traditional string flossing can sometimes feel like a hassle, and many people avoid it altogether. Thankfully, modern technology has given you more options! Water flossers and electric flossers are both solid alternatives to manual flossing. But which one should you choose? Let’s break down the differences between water flossers and electric flossers (specifically the Slate Electric Flosser) to help you make an informed decision.

What Is a Water Flosser?

If you’ve never used a water flosser, you might be a bit confused about how they work. There’s no actual floss involved. Instead, the water flosser uses a high-pressure stream of pulsating water to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from between your teeth and along the gumline. Some people find flossing with a water flosser easier and more comfortable than traditional string floss since there’s no need to wrap the string around each tooth. Water flossers have a reservoir for water (or mouthwash), a motor to create pressure, and a nozzle that directs the stream of water. Refilling the reservoir is dependent on what kind of water flosser you have and how often you use it.

What Is the Slate Electric Flosser?

An electric flosser is typically a handled flosser that vibrates. They’re designed to make reaching back molars easier by attaching your floss to an ergonomic handle. Much like an electric toothbrush, electric flossers are more effective than manual flossing at thoroughly cleaning between the teeth. The Slate Electric Flosser, however, takes it a step further with these four key features.

 

Slate Electric Flosser on counter in bathroom with replaceable floss heads

  • Woven Floss: Designed to disrupt biofilm and remove plaque effectively, the floss used in each Slate floss head is also free of PFAS, PTFE, and all other forever chemicals. 

  • Gum Sweeps: Slate gum sweeps are small rubber triangles that sit on either side of the floss. They’re built to clean out the pockets between your teeth, scrubbing away plaque and stimulating the gumline.

  • Tongue Scraper: Did you know that most bad breath-causing bacteria reside on the tongue's surface? While brushing helps, studies reveal that a tongue scraper can eliminate 30% more odor-causing bacteria than a toothbrush. That’s why every Slate floss head includes a tongue scraper on the back!

  • Sonic Vibrations: The Rechargeable Slate Electric Flosser includes three speed settings so you can customize the sonic vibrations to your comfort level.

Water Flossers Pros & Cons 

Pros

  • Effectiveness: Water flossers do a decent job removing plaque and debris from between your teeth. The pulsating water is also very effective at stimulating the gumline and improving blood flow. If you hate flossing and never do it but you’re willing to use a water flosser, then it’s a worthwhile investment.

  • Ease of Use: Water flossers don’t require the same level of precision that string floss or electric flossers do.  All you need to do is guide the nozzle along the gumline and between teeth. This can make them feel more convenient and potentially improve flossing frequency.

  • Good for Braces: Water flossers can be effective at removing food particles stuck behind brackets and wires. Flossing this way may be faster and feel less invasive for those with braces. 

Cons

  • Lack of Effectiveness: The majority of dentists agree that water flossing doesn’t replace traditional flossing, it’s just a nice add-on. Meaning, you’re supposed to do both. Water flossers aren’t as effective as string floss at removing the base layer of plaque that causes cavities. Tight contacts between teeth are especially vulnerable to cavities and water flossers struggle to adequately clean those areas.

  • Practicality: Water flossers are often larger and need to sit on a countertop at all times. They’re difficult to store and inconvenient to travel with, making it difficult to maintain a flossing habit. Water flossers can also be messy, and using them often requires leaning over the sink to avoid splashing.

  • Financial Investment: Water flossers can be a bit pricey, so you have to be ready to commit to the habit to make it worth it. Otherwise, you’ll have a $100+ bathroom decoration.

Slate Electric Flosser Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Effectiveness: Simply put, the Slate Electric Flosser is more effective at removing plaque than a water flosser. Our 400-strand woven floss is built to grab onto the plaque and debris in between your teeth and remove it. The biofilm on your teeth is like peanut butter on a knife. You can’t just rinse it off. You have to scrub it off to get the knife clean. That’s what the Slate Flosser does. Its floss, gum sweeps, and sonic vibrations scrub in between your teeth to give you a superior clean. 

  • Ease of Use: The ergonomic handle on the Slate Flosser makes flossing substantially faster and easier for individuals of all ability levels, but especially those with dexterity issues. The length of the handle allows you to access any hard-to-reach areas of the mouth with minimal effort.

  • Good for Braces: The Slater Flosser can also be used for braces! Our braces floss heads allow you to get behind your wires and brackets AND between the teeth to achieve the highest quality clean possible at home. The combination of dental floss and sonic vibrations makes the Slate Flosser much more effective than a water flosser at taking care of teeth with braces. Click here to check out our braces floss heads!

  • Travel-friendly: The Slate Flosser is compact and sleek, making it easy to bring on trips or store in your bathroom. It’s a perfect companion to your electric toothbrush, plus now you don’t have to put your hands in your mouth while flossing.

Cons

  • Learning Curve: Getting used to flossing with an electric flosser can take a bit of time. Don’t get discouraged! It’s worth the effort to develop the habit. Click here for a helpful how-to video. If you’re struggling with bleeding gums, it’s important to remember that your gums are bleeding because you haven’t been flossing. They’ll be less sensitive as you become more consistent.

  • Financial Investment: Our rechargeable flosser starts at $119. We understand that can feel like a lot, but a commitment to oral health is a commitment to overall health. Plus, our flossers are built to last you for years. After you make the initial investment, you’ll need to buy more floss heads about every 4-6 months. They're $25 a box and come in a variety of colors. Click here to check them out!

Conclusion: Which Is Better?

Ultimately, the choice between a water flosser and an electric flosser depends on your personal preferences, dental needs, and budget. Water flossers are a helpful alternative for individuals who really dislike dental floss but need effective gum stimulation. Electric flossers like The Slate Flosser, however, can provide a faster, more precise flossing experience for those of all ability levels. 

Think about your lifestyle, any existing dental conditions, and what you will actually be able to build into your routine. The thing we care about most is that you’re flossing in some capacity! Whether that’s with a water flosser or with Slate, both options offer an excellent way to improve your oral hygiene and protect your smile for the long term!