Oral irrigator: what is it? Purpose of the device
Dental floss, any brush and irrigator – are they necessary for everyday oral hygiene? Some will say that a regular brush and good toothpaste are enough. But everything is much more complicated. The latter device has many myths about the benefits and harms of the irrigator, how to use it correctly, etc.
Most believe that this irrigator is exclusively professional equipment and is not required for home purchase. In our article we will tell you what it is - an oral irrigator, when it is absolutely necessary, and when it can cause irreparable consequences. Intrigued? Then let's start without delay!
The content of the article
What is an oral irrigator
Why you need an irrigator - thorough hygiene of teeth and oral cavity without going to the dentist. Using the device, you can remove any plaque and food particles in the most inaccessible places (even in braces or dentures). Moreover, its work is much better and more effective than simply brushing your teeth. Another benefit of the irrigator is that it can massage the gums - improve blood supply and maintain the integrity of the teeth.
What is this - an oral irrigator? This is a water tank and a base part in the form of a handle.Additional attachments are installed for it: massage or cleansing action. The handle and tank are connected by a thin hose.
How the irrigator works: a special medical solution or plain water, entering the handle under pressure or pulsation, is precisely applied to the area of the oral cavity. Thus, a detailed cleaning of the teeth and gums is carried out.
To find out why you need an oral irrigator, we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor or dentist in advance.
Why you should buy an oral irrigator - common cases
Experts strongly advise using an irrigator in the following situations:
- for the prevention of caries and other dental diseases;
- for the care of dentures and structures such as veneers or braces;
- Gingivitis and periodontitis are the main enemies that the cleaner will have to work against.
Why else do you need a dental irrigator and who will definitely need it:
- if you have a constant bad breath and toothpaste does not help;
- non-standard placement of teeth, such as crooked teeth;
- for those suffering from diabetes.
The purpose of the device is both treatment and prevention. He is much better at treating gums, interdental canals and other places where even a dentist cannot reach with medical instruments. This way you eliminate unpleasant odor and improve the quality and cleanliness of your teeth. Moreover, you will start going to the dentist less often - saving money.
Dental irrigator: what is it for?
The answer to the question: “Is it worth buying an irrigator if I have braces or other inserts” - definitely yes. The thing is that such artificial structures attract a lot of bacteria and microbes. Yes, they fix teeth, but they don’t clean them.Therefore, the choice in favor of oral hygiene is obvious, as is the purchase of an irrigator for daily use.
Dental irrigator - what is it for a diabetic? It’s strange to see “diabetes mellitus” on the list of diagnoses that a dental hygiene product works with. And really, why does a diabetic need an irrigator? It's simple.
With this disease, there is a high chance of getting periodontitis. The circulatory system in the gums is disrupted, so it is very easy to get another “sore”. And regular massages with a pulsating effect help improve blood flow and reduce the chance of being left without high-quality, and most importantly, natural teeth.
An irrigator is also worth buying for the treatment of certain diseases. Only instead of water, a special medical solution with a healing effect is used. For example:
- furatsilin;
- rinsing solutions;
- herbal tinctures;
- chlorhexine and others.
But it is worth remembering the contraindications for this cleaning method. Why do you need an irrigator? Ask your doctor. As a rule, 2 out of 3 people suffer from dental problems, so the answer is obvious even without a doctor.
It's up to you to buy or not. And without introducing the daily habit of using an irrigator together with a brush, nothing effective will happen.
Also, purchasing a device saves significantly on dental procedures that you will not need at all. Remember: it is easier to prevent any disease than to deal with it for a long time and tediously. Sometimes even unsuccessfully.
Pros and cons of an irrigator
We got acquainted with how the irrigator works. Let's move on to what effect it has in practice.
Yes, there is no escape from regular brushing of teeth with a brush. But it will not provide the cleanliness that the irrigator offers.Both for hard-to-reach areas and for crowns and braces.
The pulsating water jet destroys all the small particles that have accumulated over the years of regular teeth brushing. An additional pleasant effect is gum massage. It prevents many diseases and improves overall oral quality. With all this, massage based on solutions also has an additional healing effect.
In many devices, the jet pressure is adjustable. This is necessary for particularly sensitive teeth and delicate operation of the device.
Why is an irrigator needed - is there any harm to the user?
We found out what benefits the irrigator brings to the teeth and oral cavity, but can it cause harm?
Let’s say right away that there are no direct contraindications for using the equipment. But for people with chronic dental diseases or those who have just undergone dental surgery, it is better to refrain from using the irrigator until complete recovery. Ask your doctor when you can start brushing your teeth again.
Use the device only under the strict guidance of your dentist and following the instructions. Believe it or not, they write a lot of useful information there. Sometimes you won’t even find so much on the Internet.
Important: with prolonged daily use (15 minutes or more), you can overdo it and cause discomfort in the gums and even bleeding. Therefore, an oral irrigator is a device for a competent and intelligent person who knows the limits and correctness of their procedures.
For standard cleaning, plain water from under the kettle is suitable - it will be enough to prevent any bacteria from entering from the water supply after the cleaning procedure with an irrigator.
How does an oral irrigator work, depending on its type?
Among the types of irrigators, it is worth highlighting: autonomous, portable and flow-through devices.
Stationary (autonomous) requires an outlet and operates only from a 220 Volt network. The second one is battery powered. Ideal for travel - very small and compact.
The last option is attached directly through the water tap. The main disadvantage is the use of tap water, without any cleaner or solution. Here you can only hope for the purity of the water from the boiler or water heater.
To choose a good irrigator option, you should pay attention to:
- Jet pressure. The more, the better the result you will get. The main thing is not to overdo it. For particularly sensitive gums, a powerful option is not suitable. It is better if you take a purifier with adjustable pressure and water flow rate.
- Availability of other additional settings. For example, pulsation massage technology.
- Ability to add attachments for dental implants and structures. They come as a set, and you will have to buy more.
- Tank for ordinary water or medical solution. A small one is enough for one person without adding water. For a family, you can take a stationary version with a large tank.
- For a portable device, it is important to pay attention to the battery capacity.
We repeat: if you are buying an irrigator for a large family, definitely buy a stationary model. It has both a large tank and an abundance of cleaning attachments. For travel or individual use, a portable battery-powered device is sufficient. Review point 5 to make sure you choose correctly.
The monojet model is used only for oral hygiene.
If you wear dental implants, braces, or other inserts, it may be helpful to add a pair of orthodontic attachments to your kit. Most often, you will have to buy additionally.But this will definitely bring better results than regular cleaning.
For chronic dental diseases, it is often recommended to use an irrigator with microbubble technology.