Medicine does not stand still, and new devices for the treatment and prevention of diseases are being created. There are new devices in dentistry. For example, irrigators have become more and more popular recently, the rating of which depends on ease of use and functionality. Such devices are not yet very common, but due to the large number of oral diseases, dentists are increasingly recommending this method of brushing their teeth to their patients.
What is an irrigator
This is a modern device for high-quality cleaning of the mouth and teeth. It simplifies the care of dentures and braces, removes soft plaque more effectively and freshens breath. An irrigator is a device that delivers a jet of liquid under pressure to certain parts of the oral cavity. It is she who penetrates into hard-to-reach places, removing food debris, bacteria and plaque from there.
Any irrigator consists of the following parts:
- hydrocompressor - a pump that supplies water under pressure;
- reservoir - a container for liquid, which can be of different volumes;
- nozzles that convert the pressure of water into a thin stream;
- the device can also have various switches for operating modes, pressure regulators.
The set may include different attachments: for cleaning the tongue, for caring for dentures and braces, and for cleaning gum pockets. A special orthodontic brush head with fine bristles will make your dental care more efficient.
Operation principle
The effectiveness of an irrigator is related to its features. This device supplies water under high pressure. A special nozzle of the irrigator for the oral cavity allows you to direct the jet to the right place. Pressurized water cleans food debris, soft plaque, removes bacteria. It is impossible to clean the interdental spaces, wisdom teeth, dentures so effectively with any of the most modern brushes. Only a jet of water can penetrate hard-to-reach places.
Depending on the type of device, such a jet can be weak or stronger, pulsating or containing air bubbles. All this improves the efficiency of its work. A weaker pressure is more suitable for sensitive teeth, bleeding or inflammation of the gums. The pulsating jet cleans hard-to-reach places well, and air bubbles provide an additional massage effect.
In addition, you can fill the irrigator not with ordinary boiled water, but with medicinal solutions. Suitable for such devices are decoctions of herbs, special balms and rinses, antibacterial solutions and liquids that contain calcium.
Why do you need an oral irrigator
This device allows for quality oral care. Compared to toothbrushes, it cleans plaque more effectively and gently cares for gums. With it, you can prevent the development of caries, periodontitis, stomatitis and gingivitis. Therefore, the use of irrigators is recommended by dentists. Their use is shown in the following situations:
- if there are braces, dentures in the oral cavity;
- in inflammatory gum disease;
- to eliminate bad smell;
- with increased sensitivity of tooth enamel and bleeding gums;
- with crowded teeth, as well as an inconvenient location of the wisdom tooth;
- fluid jet has a massage effect and improves blood circulation;
- with diabetes, it is recommended to use an irrigator, not a brush, as the risk of injuring the mucous membrane increases and sensitivity of the teeth increases.
Why you need to buy such a device
Compared to other methods of oral hygiene, irrigators have many advantages:
- high-quality clean even the most hard-to-reach places;
- safe as it uses water for cleaning without abrasive particles and chemicals;
- suitable for use by children from 5-6 years old;
- have a mild effect, which is especially important with increased sensitivity of the teeth;
- you can use any treatment solution instead of water;
- ideal for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity.
Application features
Despite the large number of positive qualities, you still need to buy an irrigator after consulting a doctor. After all, such care has some contraindications:
- serious diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- presence of a pacemaker;
- exacerbation of inflammatory diseases or pulpitis.
But in the absence of contraindications, even small children can use the irrigator. True, they can only use such a device under adult supervision.
Varieties of appliances
Now there are a variety of irrigators. Their rating depends little on the variety, most of all people pay attention to ease of use. Irrigators vary in how they work and in size.
The jet of water can be supplied in these devices in different ways. Depending on this, all irrigators can be divided into three groups:
- impulse have the mildest impact, as the water is supplied in short weak waves;
- mono-jet - these are the most common devices in which water comes out in one jet with the same pressure;
- if microbubble technology is used, the jet of water is mixed with air.
Depending on the volume and type of installation, irrigators are stationary and portable. Both of them have their advantages and disadvantages. Most often, stationary irrigators are used. They are powered by the network, some models can be attached to the wall. The large volume of the reservoir and several additional attachments make them suitable for the whole family. The question of which oral irrigator is better to choose depends on the purpose of its use, financial capabilities and the number of people in the family.
Instructions for use
Before you start using the device, you need to properly assemble it in accordance with the annotation, securely strengthen it and study the operation of each mode. After that, it is recommended to read the instructions for use, which involves the following sequence of actions:
- If there are no contraindications to using a brush, brush your teeth with it first.
- Pour warm water or medicinal liquid halfway with water into the irrigator bowl.
- Set up the device by selecting the desired mode and jet pressure.
- Turn on the appliance and direct the jet at the teeth at a right angle.
- Tilt your head slightly to let the water drain into the sink.
- Perform small circular movements, treating different parts of the mouth.
- The device can work without interruption for 7-10 minutes.
- After turning off the device, dry it, and if a treatment solution was used, rinse it.
How to choose the right appliance
Ratingirrigators will help you buy the most functional and convenient model. But experts recommend paying attention to some other factors:
- the volume of the tank should be chosen depending on the number of people in the family;
- the same criterion should be followed when choosing a device by the number of nozzles, so that each family member has his own;
- you need to pay attention to the power of the device, the quality of cleaning depends on it;
- if you have dentures, you need to make sure that the device has a nozzle for cleaning them;
- depending on the availability of free space in the bathroom, you should choose the method of fixing the device;
- it is best to purchase an irrigator that has several modes of operation;
- it is worth buying only a device that has a certificate, instructions and a warranty card;
- it is advisable to choose an irrigator from a well-known manufacturer, and to like its design.
Stationary irrigators: characteristics of models
These are mains powered appliances installed in the bathroom. Any stationary oral irrigator has a large reservoir and several nozzles. So the whole family can use it. There are some of the most common models that many people like:
Revyline RL 700. A new generation irrigator with touch controls and a bright design, able to provide effective comprehensive protection of the oral cavity. The device is capable of developing a record level of fluid pressure, due to which deep cleaning of the surface of the teeth, interdental spaces and gums is carried out.plaque pockets. The irrigator is equipped with a special “massage” function, which allows you to activate the stimulation of metabolic processes and blood supply to the gum tissues. A wide range of interchangeable tips allows you to solve various dental problems, significantly reducing the risk of developing oral diseases
Features of the Revyline RL 700 model:
- Robust housing design.
- High capacity compressor.
- Fluid pressure range 140 to 890 kPa.
- Volumetric liquid reservoir (1,000 ml).
- The fluid reservoir can serve as a protective case for storage and transport.
- A special case is provided for storing nozzles.
- Touch control.
- Special "massage" function for a revitalizing gum massage.
- Wide range of interchangeable heads as standard.
- 2 year warranty.
Revyline RL 500. Highly functional model for home use. It has excellent technical characteristics and a number of features that distinguish it from competitors. The body of the irrigator has a special chamber for ultraviolet disinfection of nozzles. Thus, in 15 minutes, 99.9% of bacteria are destroyed. The irrigator is equipped with a separate gum massage function. A generous set of interchangeable nozzles allows you to use the device for special hygienic tasks (cleaning of orthodontic structures, gum pockets, implants).
Features of the Revyline RL500 model:
- Rugged, durable, water-resistant housing construction.
- Steady body thanks to suction cups.
- Stylish case design.
- To strengthen the gums, a special “Massage” mode is provided, stimulating metabolic processes in the tissues.
- Large selection of nozzles in the basic set.
- Recommended for the prevention of dental diseases.
- Irreplaceable during orthodontic treatment, in the presence of crowns, implants, bridges.
- Replaceable heads are always sterile thanks to the UV disinfection function.
- Liquid pressure level - from 210 to 870 kPa.
- Pulse frequency – 1200 – 1700 min.
- Pressure level modes – 17.
- UV lamp automatically turns off after 15 minutes.
- Equid tank capacity is 600 ml.
- Powered by AC power.
- 2 year warranty.
- The Donfeel Irrigator is quite easy to use. Well suited for older patients who find it difficult to understand the many technical devices. It has only one mode and 4 nozzles. But this irrigator is quite effective: it releases a micro-bubble jet and additionally has a nasal rinse function.
- Irrigator WP 100 from "Waterpick" has long been a leader among such devices. With 10 modes and 7 attachments, this appliance can solve most dental problems. Exceptthorough cleaning of the teeth from plaque even in the most inaccessible places, the Waterpeak oral irrigator prevents bleeding gums, eliminates unpleasant odors and has a massage effect.
- Company "Brown" produces a popular reliable irrigator Oral B Professional Care Oxy Jet MD20. This is a device with microbubble technology. In addition, the regular monojet cleans the entire surface of the teeth and gums well.
- A popular model is the Aquajet ld-a7 irrigator. The Singaporean company "Little Doctor" produces this inexpensive and effective device. It has 4 modes and 4 multi-colored nozzles. The Ld A7 oral irrigator is well suited for children, as it sometimes comes in a bright design.
- The Chinese-made VES VIP-003 is characterized by a microbubble jet, has 10 operating modes and 9 different nozzles.
Portable irrigators
The rating of such models is low, as they are used mainly by those who need to travel a lot. Portable irrigators have a small tank and are battery operated. But it is not recommended to use them often, as they quickly fail.
Which is better to choose an oral irrigator depends on individual characteristics and preferences, as well as on the purpose of its use. For a person who is often on the road, a portable device is more convenient. But it does not clean the oral cavity so well, as it has a small reservoir volume, only onenozzle and the only mode of operation.
Several of the most popular models can be distinguished among portable devices:
- Revyline RL 200. An irrigator that you don't want to part with when traveling and on business trips. Lightweight, compact, yet incredibly powerful and functional portable irrigator that provides uncompromising oral cleanliness. Fast battery charging, easy operation and modern design make this model one of the best "road" irrigators.
Features of the Revyline RL 200 model:
- Waterproof housing. Protection level - IPX 7.
- Comes with travel case.
- Full charge time is 4 hours.
- Three operating modes (normal, soft, pulsing).
- Liquid pressure level - from 210 to 700 kPa.
- Pulse frequency – 1,400 – 1,800 min.
- 200 ml e-liquid tank.
- Powered by 1400 mAh rechargeable lithium battery.
- Noise level - less than 72 dB.
- 2 year warranty.
- The Philips Air Floss irrigator with micro-bubble jet has a comfortable nozzle with an angled tip. The volume of the tank is only 100 ml, but it is enough for normal cleaning. Infected batteries can last 2 weeks.
- Many consumers prefer the B. Well WI-911 irrigator. It can work without recharging for about a month. In addition, atits reservoir has a volume of 135 ml. Also available with rotating nozzle tip and 3 operating modes.
Application reviews
All dentists believe that most dental problems are due to poor oral hygiene. Therefore, more and more often they began to recommend irrigators as a preventive measure for various diseases. They are especially necessary for people with dentures, braces or sensitive gums. Such patients, after having tried the irrigator, note that bad breath has disappeared, bleeding has decreased. This device helps to take better care of your teeth and keeps your mouth fresh.
Of the shortcomings of irrigators, reviews note a rather high price. After all, a stationary device with a standard set of functions can be bought for 5-8 thousand rubles. In addition, some do not like the difficult care of it and the fact that it makes a lot of noise during operation.
