An oral irrigator (also called a dental water jet, water flosser or, by the brand name of the best-known such device, Waterpik) is a home dental care device which uses a stream of high-pressure pulsating water intended to remove

dental plaque Dental plaque is a biofilm of microorganisms (mostly bacteria, but also fungi) that grows on surfaces within the mouth. It is a sticky colorless deposit at first, but when it forms Calculus (dental), tartar, it is often brown or pale yellow. It is ...

and food debris between teeth and below the gum line. Regular use of an oral irrigator is believed to improve

gingiva The gums or gingiva (: gingivae) consist of the mucosal tissue that lies over the mandible and maxilla inside the mouth. Gum health and disease can have an effect on general health. Structure The gums are part of the soft tissue lining of the ...

l health. The devices may also provide easier cleaning for braces and

dental implant A dental implant (also known as an endosseous implant or fixture) is a prosthesis that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis such as a crown (dentistry), crown, bridge (dentistry), bridge, dentures, denture ...

s. However, more research is needed to confirm plaque

biofilm A biofilm is a Syntrophy, syntrophic Microbial consortium, community of microorganisms in which cell (biology), cells cell adhesion, stick to each other and often also to a surface. These adherent cells become embedded within a slimy ext ...

removal and effectiveness when used by patients with special oral or systemic health needs.

History

The first oral irrigator was developed in the 1950s by Dr. C.D. Matteson, who patented the invention in 1955. Dr. Matteson's invention was designed to cleanse the teeth and gums after meals as an alternative to using hand syringes. It attached directly to a sink's faucet and featured a mechanical valve to control water pressure. Later, in 1962, dentist Gerald Moyer and engineer John Mattingly invented Waterpik. The Waterpik featured a built in reservoir and motor to pump water out of a tip at rhythmic pulses. The Waterpik is now sold by Water Pik, Inc.

Efficacy

Oral irrigators have been evaluated in a number of scientific studies and have been tested for periodontal maintenance, and those with gingivitis,

diabetes Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the cells of th ...

, orthodontic appliances, and tooth replacements such as crowns, and implants. A 2008

systematic review A systematic review is a scholarly synthesis of the evidence on a clearly presented topic using critical methods to identify, define and assess research on the topic. A systematic review extracts and interprets data from published studies on ...

found improvement in gingival health with irrigation compared with regular oral hygiene, although there was no reduction in plaque. A 2019

meta-analysis Meta-analysis is a method of synthesis of quantitative data from multiple independent studies addressing a common research question. An important part of this method involves computing a combined effect size across all of the studies. As such, th ...

found that water-jet irrigation is more effective at reducing

bleeding on probing Bleeding on probing (BoP) which is also known as bleeding gums or gingival bleeding is a term used by dentists and dental hygienists when referring to bleeding that is induced by gentle manipulation of the tissue at the depth of the gingival sulc ...

than flossing.

Other uses

Oral irrigators have also been used to remove tonsil stones ("tonsiloliths") in those subject to them.

Mode of operation

Most oral irrigators use a single stream of water to flush unwanted material from between the teeth. Compared to flossing, oral irrigators are also ideal for narrow teeth or hard-to-reach areas between teeth. The market also offers devices in which it is possible to specifically massage the gums using sophisticated massage heads. In addition, mouthwash solution can be injected into periodontal pockets using the sub-gingival nozzle, used as a nozzle.

Cleaning technique

After filling the reservoir with water, point the nozzle close to the gum line at an angle of 90 degrees. Then start the device by setting the appropriate pressure value. It is recommended to start irrigation from the back teeth, slowly following the gum line. The water jet should be directed between the tooth spaces, surfaces above the gum line, stopping momentarily at the area to be cleaned. In the case of hard-to-reach areas such as when using braces, in gum pockets, the angle of the nozzle can be changed.

Criticism

Dentists classify the oral irrigator as a wellness product, because it cannot replace medically sensible brushing and flossing. There is only a possible improvement in blood circulation in the gums due to the massage effect. On the other hand, there is a risk that food debris will get into the tooth pockets due to improper use ("flushing the tooth pockets") and damage the teeth and gums there. Because of this risk, most dentists do not recommend the use of oral irrigators. Many dentists advise against usage of an irrigator for people with gum disease or have had a tooth extraction. However, other studies have shown that oral irrigators are better at removing plaque than flossing.

References

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