7 replies to this topic

[nowayout]

Does anyone have experiences to share on water picks for home use. 

 

I brush twice a day and floss at least once a day, but periodically use a (metal) dental pick and it horrifies me how much plaque you can remove from your teeth with a pick AFTER you already brushed and flossed.  (Some of you won't believe me but go try it and you'll see, and no, my brushing and flossing are not defective .)  So I'm hoping a water pick may reach where brushing and flossing doesn't.  This is certainly what the vendors claim, but does anyone have personal experience to back this up?   

Edited by nowayout, 06 August 2015 - 07:50 PM.

[Kalliste]

I don't trust them. They are expensive and they only use studies which they funded inhouse. Bacteria have lived 4 billion years in water, they can deal with it. Mechanic removal using a correct technique beats all IMO. If I was going to use one chemical aside from normal childrens fluoride toothpaste to get rid of plaque I'd settle for Delmopinol.

 

[nowayout]

I don't trust them. They are expensive and they only use studies which they funded inhouse. Bacteria have lived 4 billion years in water, they can deal with it. Mechanic removal using a correct technique beats all IMO. If I was going to use one chemical aside from normal childrens fluoride toothpaste to get rid of plaque I'd settle for Delmopinol.

 

Well, it happens to be called a waterpick but it doesn't mean you necessarily put water in it.  It's common to use antibacterial mouthwashes.  Also I guess the idea is that a high pressure jet may be able disrupt bacterial films below the gumline where brushing and flossing can't reach.  Not to belabor the point but with enough pressure you can strip paint from wood (or even flesh from bone) with just water as well, as in commercial powerwashing, so it doesn't seem implausible that you could remove plaque with just the right pressure. 

 

I'd be interested in the experiences of anyone who may have used a water pick. It doesn't seem all that common fro the lack of responses.

Edited by nowayout, 27 August 2015 - 02:26 PM.

[Kalliste]

You can reach below the gumline with an approximal tool that is fitted for your dental anatomy. You dont need an expensive watersprayer to do that.

[nowayout]

You can reach below the gumline with an approximal tool that is fitted for your dental anatomy. You dont need an expensive watersprayer to do that.

 

A tool is difficult and time-consuming to use (I have one so I know) and I can't quite clean the teeth to the the EXACT gumline with it without hurting the gum - you really need a professional to do it.  Back teeth are almost impossible for me to do myself.  A waterpick is easy to use (assuming it works as well though) and relatively cheap in my local drugstore. 

Edited by nowayout, 27 August 2015 - 03:00 PM.

[Kalliste]

Your gums should simply not hurt when you clean them. If they still hurt you have subgingival calculus which feeds your bloodstream with plaque creating bacteria helping your vascular system turn atherosclerotic.

 

You most likely have gingivitis. Excluding gingivitis there are a few rare diseases that make the gums hurt but you likely don't have them.

 

The entire mouth can be cleaned with an electric toothbrush, relaxed cheeks and a good manual floss, if you have access problems try specially formed flossers like Glide Floss, take some time to get to know them.

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[nowayout]

Your gums should simply not hurt when you clean them. If they still hurt you have subgingival calculus which feeds your bloodstream with plaque creating bacteria helping your vascular system turn atherosclerotic.

 

My gums never hurt or bleed from flossing or brushing, but flossing and brushing alone don't remove plaque perfectly and don't prevent calculus completely, or there would be people who never need professional cleanings, and AFAIK everyone does - correct me if this is wrong.  As for other dental tools, such as metal picks, to remove leftover plaque/calculus where flossing cannot reach or may be imperfect, a layperson can easily hurt the gums with them, which is what I was referring to and hoping to avoid. 

Edited by nowayout, 27 August 2015 - 07:25 PM.

[Kalliste]

There are people who rarely or never need professional cleaning. The ones who have a nice balance between salivary mineral content, buffering capacity, oral microbes and self-cleaning routines.