Benefits of Using a Water Flosser When Living With RA

Having lived with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) since my twenties, I have battled through a lot of issues with my teeth and my gums. Seems like a countless number of dental appointments and never-ending dental debt.

I learned early on about the direct clinical association between RA and gum disease from a dentist.

The importance of dental cleanings in my battle with RA

Several years ago, my dentist switched my dental cleaning to every 6 months versus yearly. This really seemed to help my fight with gum (periodontal) disease.

Unfortunately, my dental cleaning was recently delayed by 2 months, and my gum disease got out of control — all of this despite using my prescription toothpaste, brushing my teeth regularly, and flossing. My new dentist recommended dental cleanings every 3 months.

What's a water flosser?

Honestly, it has been extremely frustrating and painful, these past few months.

Thankfully, I have a new dentist who prescribed an antibiotic mouthwash and performed my dental cleaning. At my dental cleaning, my dentist recommended a water flosser. He was the first dentist to ever mention using a water flosser instead of regular floss. He explained that a water flosser is an electronic handheld device that you place in your mouth at your gum line. The device uses a stream of water to gently remove food particles and plaque buildup in your mouth.

The benefits of using a water flosser with RA

My dentist said that there have been many studies done on the clinical benefits of using a water flosser. I, of course — being me —, started to ask a lot of questions. He gave the following reasons for why using a water flosser would be beneficial.

1. It requires less fine motor control

My dentist explained that using a water flosser lessens the amount of fine motor movement necessary to get in between teeth. This makes sense because during periods of flare-up or pain, I may not be able to consistently manipulate the floss for a thorough flossing.

2. It reduces gum inflammation

This has been widely studied per my dentist. The pulsation motion of the water flosser can significantly decrease gum inflammation compared to brushing alone.¹

3. It's ideal for flossing around restorative dental treatments

My dentist discussed how the water flosser is a great option for anyone with crowns and dental implants.

Finding the best water flosser for me

Upon researching, I quickly found that there are many options. They range from around $20 to nearly $200. My dental hygienist said to read the reviews because there are more options than there used to be.

I do not have a lot of counter space. However, she mentioned the handheld cordless models are very efficient. I have done my research and am going to order an affordable handheld water flosser.

Community experiences matter

I wish I would have known about this device sooner. I am curious if any of our community members have used a water flosser. If so, what have your experiences been like using it? Do you find it easier to floss? Has your gum inflammation decreased at all? Please leave a comment below and share your experiences or tips — they matter!