Oral Irrigators: Are They Worth Having?

Your dentist has likely told you to floss to help keep your smile healthy. But for some people, flossing can be very difficult to do. That’s why oral irrigators were invented. The first was Waterpik which was invented in 1962. They feature a pressurized stream of water that blasts away hidden bacteria, food particles, and plaque from between your teeth as well as underneath the gum line. Today, there are many more of them to choose from.

But what do they do for your smile, and are they even worth it?

If you consider the ramifications of poor oral hygiene and what skipping flossing can do, you might want to think about getting an oral irrigator. Some people might be unable to floss too and an oral irrigator can help them reach in those tight spots between teeth. While toothbrushes are an essential in oral hygiene, they miss those tight spaces. That’s why you need to floss.

For anyone that can’t floss, using an oral irrigator can help. Braces are great for straightening out teeth but they make it impossible to floss. An oral irrigator can really help, and keep gunk from building up on the braces too. If you have crowns, nonremovable bridgework, or dental implants, you might want to invest in an oral irrigator too. Additionally, if you have arthritis or a hand injury that makes it difficult to work with dental floss, you might benefit greatly from getting an oral irrigator.

Benefits Of Using Oral Irrigators

Even people without dental difficulties like using oral irrigators. For one, they’re easy to use. You simply turn them on and take aim along the gum line and between your teeth. It gives you access to those tricky areas that are hard to reach plus it can really get in there good when you have tightly-spaced teeth.

You’ll also nab those periodontal pockets to help stop early gum disease and keep your breath feeling fresher for longer. Those are definitely great benefits, though there are a few downsides to be aware of too.

Disadvantages Of Using Oral Irrigators

While they do offer supreme cleaning, oral irrigators can be difficult to get used to, at least initially. The differences in water temperature and pressure need to be adjusted to your own level of comfort.

That being said, it can be a messy process. You might want to hold off on getting dressed for work before you use your oral irrigator because you may get wet. It also might not remove all the plaque so there is no guarantee you’ll have a cleaner, healthier mouth.

And compared to regular string floss, oral irrigators are the more costly option. However, for those that can’t use floss, it’s a better alternative than skipping flossing. The cost might be higher but it will save you in dental fees down the road by getting rid of excess plaque and keeping your smile healthy. There are no risks to using them and they’re safe so it’s really a matter of preference as to what you’d prefer to use to get into those tight spaces!

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list.

Written By:

Jennifer Raskin is a freelance writer, wife and mom that loves cold weather despite her location in Florida, cooking, reading, watching ‘80s movies, weight-lifting, and wine tasting.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.