What Is a Water Flosser and Should You Be Using One?

Water flosser is a device that cleanses the oral cavity, massages the gums and rinses all the interdental spaces. This is an important element of daily hygiene. It creates an additional feeling of the cleanliness of the oral cavity, which cannot be achieved with a conventional toothbrush.

Read more about the best water flossers on The10Best.top

There are 2 types of irrigators:

  • stationary (connected to the mains)
  • portable (powered by a battery).

Indications for use of an irrigator

  • Prevention of caries. The irrigator allows you to get rid of plaque on the teeth, tongue, gums, bad breath. In addition, you will get the cleaning of inaccessible places – molars, wisdom teeth, interdental spaces of orthodontic structures.
  • Prevention and treatment of gum disease. The device massages the gums, improving their blood circulation and improve the regeneration process.
  • The presence of orthopedic and orthodontic structures: implants, crowns, bridges, braces.
  • Elimination of the causes of halitosis (halitosis).
  • Prevention of gingivitis in pregnant and lactating women, which occurs due to a deterioration in the blood supply to the mucous membranes.

There are no contraindications to using an irrigator!

Types of Irrigators

How to find out which irrigator is best for you?

For home use, use a  stationary irrigator. It is more reliable than a portable one. If you don’t have enough space in the bathroom for irrigators then switch to portable irrigator because it works in the battery.

Look at the different features of irrigator:

  • A portable irrigator should have a power of 520 kPa, while a stationary irrigator has at least 550 kPa.
  • The optimal indicator is 1200 when choosing an irrigator, just focus on this number.
  • Speaking of how the irrigators differ, so the devices have different switching of operating modes.

How to choose an irrigator for the oral cavity is not as difficult a question for most people.

  • If you going on a trip choose portable models.
  • If you want it for a home, you should choose a stationary model.
  • If you need cleaning braces, implants, crowns, then it is better to choose an irrigator with a special nozzle kit.
  • If you need irrigator for a large family, large irrigator models will work perfectly.
  • People with gum disease will use the irrigator with the minimum power.
  • When choosing a portable (travel) irrigator, pay attention to the volume of the tank.

Nozzles and their types

The nozzle can be replaced in the irrigator. Following are the types of nozzle:

  • The standard nozzle: it is suitable for cleansing healthy teeth and gums.
  • A periodontal nozzle with a thin tip made of soft rubber. It directs the stream beyond the different points in the cavity.
  • A tongue brush nozzle removes plaque from the tongue and cheeks, eliminating the cause of halitosis.
  • For additional removal of plaque, use a brush nozzle.
  • A nasal nozzle is needed for the irrigation of the nasal cavity.

Do not share the nozzle with the person.

Myths and fallacies

Irrigator can replace a toothbrush

An irrigator is an additional means of hygiene; it can replace floss, but not a brush with paste.

It’s enough to use the irrigator a couple of times a week

It should be used after brushing your teeth,i.e, twice in a day.

Be sure to use balms for irrigators

Yes, balm for irrigator contribute to the solution of a number of dental problems but not necessary.

Herb decoctions and regular mouthwashes can be poured into irrigators

Only water and special balms for oral irrigators can be poured into the irrigator.

The fluid hose must be long

The hose should not be too long, because when using an irrigator you still have to bend over the sink (using the device in an upright position does not make sense).

 The more power levels an irrigator has, the better

Most modern irrigators have adjustable power, and the number of divisions on the toggle switch is rather arbitrary.

Irrigator Balms

The use of special balms for the irrigator enhances the effectiveness as components that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The choice of liquid for oral irrigators depends on the purpose of its use. Each thing has its own effects: one liquid for the irrigator helps to strengthen enamel, the other is effective for inflammatory, the third has a preventive effect. The other part shows concentrated liquids as well as the advantages of several bottles.

Irrigator Care

Caring for the irrigator is not difficult.

  • Avoid charger with wet hands.
  • Don’t allow the connection of the device with water.
  • Carefully monitor the integrity of the cord.
  • Do not use alcohol solutions to clean the irrigator body.
  • Avoid its connection from the heating appliances.
  • Pour only water and special balms in the irrigator’s tank.
  • During the process, do not hold the pause button for a long time
  • Use only attachments recommended by the manufacturer.
  • If you intend to take the irrigator on the road in winter, there should not be water in it.