Oral Irrigation

An oral irrigator, also known as water floss or even a dental waterjet, is a device that uses a high pressured stream of water to remove food particles from around the teeth and is a popular alternative to traditional methods of flossing and interdental brushes; brushing your teeth should still be maintained if you decide to use an oral irrigator. It is effective in cleaning away food debris that can become stuck between teeth and uses a water jet system which aids in the prevention and treatment of plaque and forms of gum disease such as gingivitis.

Oral irrigators are most commonly used by patients suffering from periodontal dental problems. It is also an excellent option for people who wear braces or other dental appliances, as traditional dental floss may be difficult to use in comparison to an oral irrigator which can be used on inaccessible areas. It provides efficient dental cleaning and protection, and can be used as part of your daily oral hygiene routine.

Many people who are apprehensive about traditional methods of dental flossing may prefer the portable oral irrigator as a perfect alternative to dental floss. Oral irrigators can aid in the prevention of bad breath, gum disease and dental decay and are said to be 93% more effective than dental floss.

How do Oral Irrigators work?

Oral irrigators work by way of a penetrated stream of water which targets and flushes away food debris and other substances that may be difficult to reach when using traditional dental floss. It shoots streams of water in between teeth in a gentle manner to provide a thorough cleaning.

The use of water is vital to cleanliness as is its use of a magnetised mechanism which attacks and picks up food particles to effectively clean and refresh your teeth. Dentists recommend that oral irrigators be used just like traditional dental floss on a daily after brushing your teeth. Oral irrigators can come in either cordless form or as a counter-top flosser.

Oral irrigators aim to treat the following conditions:

  • Gum disease
  • Periodontal issues
  • Those with dental appliances like braces
  • Plaque and tartar
  • Bad breath
  • Tooth decay

What types of Oral Irrigator are available?

There are various types of oral irrigators, or water flosses as they are sometimes known, that you can purchase to maintain or improve your oral health. The different brands have their own specifications, the most popular ones being those offered by Waterpik, the Hydro floss and Kitty Hydro Care. The various models of oral irrigators are explored below:

  • Hand-held Oral Irrigator - This type of oral irrigator is able to target hard to reach areas in the mouth that are often missed when brushing teeth. It offers an exemplary level of flexibility as you can aim the water jet at places which are more susceptible to debris. Hand-held oral irrigators often have pulsations of 1200 though there are some that are more powerful. Hand-held oral irrigators are beneficial to those with dental appliances like braces for ease of use.
  • Counter-top Oral Irrigators - This type of oral irrigator is as effective in the cleaning of teeth as the hand-held appliance but is a larger unit. Counter-top oral irrigators come with various detachable attachments that can further your oral hygiene experience, but these do tend to take up more space.
  • Cordless Oral Irrigators - Cordless oral irrigators are beneficial in that they do not need to be centred on any counter to work as they offer a great level of flexibility. Another important factor is that they are rechargeable. As with the other models the cordless unit makes it simple to clean your teeth and is an excellent substitute to dental floss. Cordless oral irrigators include water jet air that comfortably massages the gums and removes bacteria. Cordless oral irrigators are comfortable and easy to hold as well as offering a great level of portability.

How much do Oral Irrigators Cost?

There are various oral irrigators available; accordingly they do differ in terms of the cost. This is down to various factors such as their power and level of flexibility. You can however expect to pay anywhere from £30 or more. The more advanced attachments there are available for an oral irrigator the higher the price is likely to be. Cordless Oral Irrigators tend to be more expensive than the classic devices due to the flexibility that they offer. Also, though more expensive than traditional methods like dental floss, oral irrigators offer an exemplary standard of oral cleanliness.

Oral Irrigator Brands

There are various brands that offer oral irrigators, as listed below. Each brand has individual specifications in terms of the amount of pulsations and attachments they include. The most popular brands that offer oral irrigators are the following:

    • Waterpik
    • Hydro Care
    • Kitty Hydro Floss
    • Panasonic
    • Oral B

Oral Irrigators and Dental Hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene is vital in promoting healthy teeth and gums; brushing is also an essential part in warding off unwanted oral health conditions. It is recommended that teeth should be brushed twice a day, in the morning and evening followed by dental flossing or use of an oral irrigator to remove particles stuck between the teeth.

Oral irrigators can be included in your oral hygiene routine to effectively combat plaque and are simple to use. Patients who wear dental appliances such as braces or bridges will find an oral irrigator to be the perfect solution to maintaining oral health.

When considering which oral irrigator would be best for your individual dental requirements it is always best to look at the specifications of each brand. Some brands have pulsations over 1200 while others differ and this needs to be taken into account according to your oral health.

If you are apprehensive about using traditional flossing methods such as dental floss then an Oral Irrigator could be the perfect solution.


Guide to Oral Irrigation