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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

That would be diabetes.

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

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.

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.

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

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