Waterpiks! Use them but be aware they don’t replace brushing or flossing. Waterpiks are great for removing big chunks from difficult to clean areas such as around braces or fixed retainers. There may be some natural crevices in teeth where they are helpful as well, but they don’t remove plaque or tartar. The stream is just not strong enough. Plaque is sticky and needs to be wiped off with your toothbrush and with floss (where your toothbrush just can’t reach). If you leave plaque behind, the calcium in your saliva turns it into tartar in as little as 24 hours. The only way to remove tartar is to see the hygienist. To sum it up: there are lots of ADDITIONAL things you can do to better your oral hygiene so long as it doesn’t replace the two long proven staples: brushing and flossing.
– Dr. Jay Rabinovich