Regular flossing is important to your dental health and a proven way to prevent gingivitis. However, adding a dental irrigator to your daily routine is a great way to prevent plaque build up and cavities. Irrigators use a stream of pulsating water which helps to wash away food particles and to remove plaque that accumulates along your gumline and between your teeth.
While everyone can benefit from using a dental irrigator, we highly recommend them to
- anyone who has braces. Teenagers especially find an irrigator easier to use than floss threaders, which can be a tedious way to clean around brackets and bands.
- dental implant patients. An irrigator is a very productive way to clean around implants and gum tissue without damaging them.
- patients who struggle with traditional flossing. This can include younger patients who lack the coordination required to use regular floss, as well as older patients who find that changes in their mouth (decreased salivary flow, gum recession, etc.) result in accumulation of more plaque.
A dental irrigator is a convenient and easy tool to use to optimize your oral health. Here at Jacques Dentistry, we recommend the WaterPik brand dental irrigator. We've found that the counter-top units with a water reservoir are the most effective and easiest to use for our patients -- but we advise you that practice makes perfect! It's best to stand over a sink to catch the excess water and slowly move the tip of the irrigator along your gumline, moving from top back right molar across the front of your mouth and back around. Next time you're in our Greenville, SC, dentist office, ask us for a brochure about the WaterPik -- your mouth will thank you!
