What is Oral Irrigation?
You may have heard us talking about the Waterpik in our office. This is our favorite oral hygiene tool for oral irrigation and we routinely recommend the Waterpik for many of our patients. Oral irrigators were first developed in 1962 as an alternative to dental flossing. An oral irrigator uses a stream of pressurized, pulsating water to clean between teeth and below the gum line. As a result, harmful deep periodontal pocket bacteria that could not otherwise be reached through brushing or flossing, is flushed out and removed.
Adding an oral irrigator to your routine can be invaluable in the fight against gum disease. Specifically, oral water irrigators have been proven to:
- Reduce the overall amount of bacteria that increases your risk for developing gum disease
- Remove 99% more plaque than brushing alone, especially when used in conjunction with brushing and flossing
- Help control gingivitis—particularly in those who don’t floss on a regular basis
- Reduce the incidence of gum bleeding
- Improve bad breath
Although oral irrigation was designed to replace flossing, dentists recommend that flossing remain a part of one’s daily oral care routine. We recommend the Waterpik to patients that have sensitive gums, orthodontic appliances, diabetes, dental implants, periodontal disease or are unable to tolerate flossing. We have seen improvement in the dental health of our patients who regularly use the Waterpik or other types of oral irrigators. Ask us about the Waterpik at your next dental cleaning and we’ll give you instructions on where to purchase and how to use these effective oral hygiene devices.
Julie Murphy, R.D.H.
<a href=" https://plus.google.com/115722924495592500552/posts?rel=author"> Dr. Amanda Delwiche, DDS </a>