The Water Pik water flosser is significantly more effective than the Philips Sonicare Air Floss Pro for improving gingival health, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry (2015, Vol. 26:2, pp. 55-60).
The study was conducted by All Sum Research Center in Canada. During the four-week study, 69 people were given either the Water Pik water flosser or Sonicare Air Floss Pro, plus a manual toothbrush to use for their daily oral care routine. Researchers evaluated the data for the whole mouth, lingual, and facial areas for bleeding on probing and Modified Gingival Index (MGI), and they recorded plaque data for the whole mouth, lingual, facial, approximal, and marginal areas of the teeth using the Rustogi Modification of the Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI). These measurements were scored at baseline, two weeks, and four weeks.
While both groups showed significant reductions in bleeding on probing and the MGI for all regions at all time points, as well as for the RMNPI at four weeks, the Water Pik flosser was 54% more effective than the Sonicare flosser for reducing gingival bleeding and 32% more effective for reducing gingivitis. In addition, plaque accumulation was significantly less at four weeks for the water flosser group compared with the air flosser group, the researchers wrote.
"These findings were not surprising" stated study co-author Deborah Lyle, RDH, director of clinical research for Water Pik, in a press release. "The water flosser has repeatedly shown the ability to remove plaque from interproximal and subgingival areas and improve oral health. It is an easy and effective way for people to maintain good oral hygiene with minimal time and effort."
