1. Start with the highest setting to dislodge plaque.
   Begin with the lowest setting and work up from there.
2. Start with a middle setting and move to a higher or lower power flow depending on what's comfortable for you.

Depending on the condition of your gums and teeth, a high setting may be too aggressive. Until you get the hang of using a flosser, start with the lowest available setting and make adjustments as needed.

1. Don’t use a water flosser while bathing.
   Never handle the plug with wet hands.
2. Both of the above

All of the above. Safe practices when using electrical accessories around water include never handling an outlet plug with wet hands and never using a an electrically powered personal care product when bathing or showering.

1. The longer you water floss, the better your gums will like it.
   Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
2. Use a flosser as long as you need to, but be sure to include mouthwash in the water reservoir.

Restrict your use to the manufacturer's recommendations for the product. Some product instructions recommend cleaning sessions of five minutes or less at not less than two hour intervals. This isn't to keep your gums from drowning. Actually, the motor in the flosser needs time to cool down.

1. Thin copper wire
   Horse hair
2. Silk thread

In 1918, Parmly, a New Orleans dentist, advocated using silk thread to clean between teeth.

1. Clean the tongue
   Irrigate the throat
2. Stimulate the tastebuds

Some water flossers offer a special tongue cleaning tip that removes bacteria and odor-causing sulfur compounds.

1. Decayed food residue
   A buildup of bacteria
2. Plaque

Also referred to as tooth slime, biofilm is a thick bacterial aggregate that accumulates on teeth that aren't brushed properly. Once formed, it can be resistant to conventional brushing and lead to tooth decay.

1. Fluoride
   Antibacterial solutions
2. Hydrogen peroxide

Check the instructions before adding antibacterial solutions to water flossing equipment.

1. Yes, but only marginally.
   No. Water flossing is too aggressive.
2. Yes, water flossing can reduce bleeding and gingivitis significantly.

Used daily, water flossing can reduce gingival bleeding significantly, and may be up to 93 percent more effective than string flossing.

1. Pulsing water stimulates blood flow and better circulation.
   Pulsing action gets deep under the gum line to remove debris and bacteria.
2. Pulsing action blasts food particles from between teeth.

Although the rapid compression and decompression removes food particles from between teeth, one of the biggest advantages of using a rapid water pulse is to get deep below the gum line to loosen and remove debris and bacteria. A flosser can get as much as three times deeper than other cleaning methods.

1. Using a full strength mouthwash after each use
   Rinsing the reservoir after each use
2. Only using mouthwashes that contain alcohol

To prolong the life of the reservoir, rinse it after each use if you've included mouthwash or another additive.

1. 20 percent
   75 percent
2. 50 percent

Three out of every four Americans, or 75 percent, suffer from some form of gum disease.

1. In the shower
   Leaning over the sink
2. Leaning over the tub

Water flossers use a jet of water that can travel a long way. Ideally, you should be leaning over the sink prepared for the flow before you begin flossing. It's a ready-set-go proposition. Otherwise, you may end up with water all over the floor, the walls, your hair, the ceiling . . . you get the idea.

1. 2 million
   500000
2. 250000

Around 2 million patients begin orthodontic therapy every year. If you've just been outfitted with your own set of braces, you're not alone.

1. Halitosis and yellowing teeth
   Swelling, redness and bleeding
2. Receding gums and white patches

Swelling, redness and bleeding gums are all signs of gingivitis.

1. Yes. Gingivitis burns and itches.
   Yes. Gingivitis can cause gum pain and toothaches.
2. No. Gingivitis usually isn't painful.

Even though gingivitis can cause bleeding, swelling and redness, and lead to more serious conditions, it typically isn't painful.

1. Celiac disease
   Obesity
2. Diabetes

That would be diabetes.

1. Alcoholism
   Pregnancy
2. Grinding your teeth

Hormonal changes in pregnancy can increase the risk of developing gingivitis and periodontal disease.

1. With proper treatment pockets disappear.
   Pockets can remain even after treatment.
2. It depends on the age of the patient.

Pockets can remain even after treatment, which is one reason a regular dental care regimen is so important. Beyond brushing and conventional string flossing, water flossing is very effective at getting down deep into periodontal pockets to keep them clean and bacteria free.

1. Yes
   No
2. Maybe

Mr. Molar says shame on you! Trying to skimp on tooth cleaning is just wrong. Actually, the answer to this one is a definite maybe. Some water flossers include a toothbrushing tip that works a bit like an electric toothbrush but adds the power of pulsing water to loosen and wash away food particles and bacteria.

1. Drinking
   Smoking
2. Eating hard candy

Smoking is one of the most unhealthy things you can do to your gums -- and the rest of you.

1. 5.6 percent
   13.5 percent
2. 34 percent

According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), approximately 13.5 percent of Americans floss every day.