AirFloss with Essential Oils vs. Dental Floss: Do High-Tech Tools Really Improve Gum Health?
A Clinical Trial Looks at New Ways to Clean Between Teeth
Keeping gums healthy is not just about brushing teeth. Dental plaque that builds up between teeth plays a major role in the development of gingivitis, an early and reversible form of gum disease. While dental floss has long been recommended for interdental cleaning, many people find it difficult to use consistently. This has driven interest in alternative devices, including air- and water-based flossers.
A recent randomized controlled clinical trial published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene explored whether a modern interdental device—the AirFloss Ultra filled with an essential oil mouthrinse—offers real advantages over traditional waxed dental floss when used alongside regular toothbrushing.
Why Interdental Cleaning Still Matters
Toothbrushing is effective at cleaning visible tooth surfaces, but it often fails to adequately reach the spaces between teeth. These interdental areas are where plaque can accumulate and trigger inflammation of the gums. If left unmanaged, gingivitis can increase the risk of developing periodontitis, a more severe and irreversible form of gum disease.
Dental floss remains the most commonly recommended tool for cleaning between teeth. However, flossing is technique-sensitive and requires good manual dexterity and motivation. As a result, many individuals struggle to use it effectively on a daily basis. Devices like the AirFloss Ultra aim to overcome these barriers by delivering short bursts of air and liquid to dislodge plaque more easily.
What Did the Researchers Do?
The researchers conducted a randomized, examiner-blinded clinical trial involving 82 healthy young adults with signs of gingivitis but no periodontitis. After an initial phase where gingivitis was deliberately induced in the lower jaw, participants entered a four-week treatment period.
They were randomly assigned to one of two groups:
AirFloss Ultra with essential oils, used once daily in addition to twice-daily manual toothbrushing
Waxed dental floss, used once daily alongside the same toothbrushing routine
The researchers assessed three main outcomes in the lower jaw:
Gingival bleeding, a key sign of gum inflammation
Dental plaque levels
Gingival abrasions, to evaluate soft tissue safety
Measurements were taken at baseline and at several points during the four-week treatment phase.
Key Findings: Different Tools, Similar Results
Both groups showed clear improvements in gum health over the course of the study. Gingival bleeding and plaque levels decreased significantly from baseline in participants using either AirFloss with essential oils or traditional dental floss.
Importantly, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups at any time point. In other words, the AirFloss device was no more effective—but also no less effective—than waxed dental floss in reducing gingival bleeding, controlling plaque, or preventing gingival abrasions.
From a safety perspective, both methods were generally well tolerated. Minor gum irritation was reported only in a small number of participants using dental floss, and no serious adverse events occurred in either group.
What Do These Results Mean for Everyday Oral Care?
The findings suggest that AirFloss Ultra with essential oils is a safe and effective alternative to dental floss, but not a superior one—at least in the short term and under controlled study conditions. For individuals who already floss well, traditional dental floss remains a valid and effective option.
However, the results are particularly relevant for people who struggle with flossing due to limited dexterity or low motivation. For these individuals, an easier-to-use interdental device like AirFloss may help improve adherence to daily interdental cleaning, which is crucial for maintaining gum health.
The Bottom Line
This clinical trial shows that when used as an addition to regular toothbrushing, AirFloss Ultra with essential oils and waxed dental floss provide comparable benefits for gum health. Both approaches reduce gingival inflammation and plaque without causing significant harm to the gums.
Rather than replacing floss outright, devices like AirFloss may expand the range of effective interdental cleaning options—allowing dental professionals to tailor recommendations to individual patient needs and preferences.
Original Article Reference
Thomassen TMJA, Slot DE, Elkerbout TA, van der Sluijs E, Van der Weijden FA.
Efficacy and safety of AirFloss Ultra with essential oils versus waxed dental floss as adjunct to toothbrushing: A randomized controlled clinical trial.
International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2026;24:3–15.
DOI: 10.1111/idh.70010