There is no better time in the sport’s world than during college basketball’s March Madness. There are number one seeds, dting omination, cinderella teams, upsets, buzzer beaters and sheer excitement and drama until the national champion is crowned.  We compare teams and statistics when we fill out our tournament brackets. Similarly, when choosing different dental product we have to look at the pros and cons of each item and try to make some kind of rational and educated choice.  Today let’s look at floss vs. Waterpik and see if we can determine a winner.

We all know how important a beautiful healthy smile is, but what lurks in between or “interproximal” to our teeth has a major impact on our overall dental health.  Poor oral hygiene can result in cavities, gum disease and tooth loss.  It can also impact our overall health.  It is a given that proper brushing is fundamental to good dental hygiene.  It is, however, the removal of food particles, bacteria and plaque from in between our teeth that is most beneficial to a healthy mouth.  The American Dental Association recommends flossing as the best way to accomplish this. But what about Waterpik?  

Waterpik is an oral irrigator that uses a pressurized stream of water to dislodge and clean food, bacteria and plaque from in between our teeth.  It is a great device for people with braces, fixed dental work such as crowns, bridges and/ dental implants.  It is also easier for people that may have difficulty with manual dexterity. Some of the disadvantages are cost, messiness and they may not remove all the interproximal debris.

Flossing, on the other hand, is a tried and true method to remove plaque.  With the proper technique flossing conforms to the tooth surface, disrupts the plaque and gently removes it.  Flossing is inexpensive, easy to control and efficient at removing interproximal plaque.  

I would maintain that the Waterpik is an excellent adjunct to your dental habits.  It is not, however, a replacement for flossing. Flossing when done regularly and correctly offers the best oral hygiene result possible.  So in this week of bracketology, I am putting Floss as the distinct winner.

(As a side note, I have Gonzaga University winning the NCAA national championship game).

The New Year can mean so many things to each of us.  For me it is a chance to reflect and reboot.  Every year is filled with highs and lows, some controllable and others not so much.  I try to learn from these experiences without over analyzing them. Each new year brings us the opportunity to make some changes to our lives.  

Resolution is defined as a firm decision to do or not do something. Some of these New Year’s resolutions may be to volunteer, give back to your community, donate to a local charity, have a conversation with a stranger, agree to disagree with a political foe, step out of your comfort box, try something new, go to a new place, forgive, read a good book, smile more, drive with less aggression, compliment more often, be less critical, reach out to your friends… The list could go on and on. Oh, don’t forget to include to get in better shape and lose some extra pounds. 

We make these resolutions with great intention and conviction, but many of us fail to carry them out over the long term.  No worries, there is always tomorrow, next week, month or year to try again. The great thing about resolutions is even though some may be personal and others public, in the end no one is keeping track of them.  Embrace a struggle or challenge.  As it plays out and eventually resolves, we tend to become stronger and better.   We just need to keep trying to improve ourselves and make the world a better place. Try to make each day the most important one.

May this New Year be filled with hope, love, happiness and peace!