Human health is determined by the proper functioning of each body system. Therefore, you should pay enough attention not only to the liver, heart, but also to the oral cavity. Based on the results of recent studies, it was found that using a regular toothbrush cannot guarantee one hundred percent health of teeth and gums, as well as high protection against the occurrence of serious illnesses oral cavity.
Companies that operate in the pharmaceutical market are well aware of this and are actively working to create new effective devices that can help maintain oral hygiene at its best. high level. Among the latest new products presented, it is worth highlighting the irrigator. In this article we will tell you how to use an irrigator so that your teeth always remain beautiful and healthy.
Purpose of an oral irrigator
The main purpose of this device is professional dental care. This tool is easy to use:
- It creates a pressure stream of water under pressure, which is first poured into a special tank.
- When water enters the oral cavity, food particles and plaque are removed from the teeth, as well as from the interdental space.
- At the same time, a stream of liquid cleanses the gums, providing a massage effect.
Important! The irrigator is significantly superior to other similar devices - in the process of cleaning the oral cavity, it gently affects the teeth and gums, so the user does not have to worry about tooth enamel.
This device is very convenient to use, so even if you have orthodontic products (braces) installed in your mouth, you can clean them directly.
How does an irrigator work?
This device consists of:
- Water containers;
- Hydraulic pump;
- Handles to which the container and hydraulic pump are attached;
- Replaceable nozzles.
When should you brush your teeth with an irrigator?
Dentists recommend that every patient acquire this device, because if you use the irrigator correctly, you will not only be able to remove dental plaque from the most inaccessible places. If you pour a special solution into the liquid reservoir instead of water, you can achieve therapeutic effect(anti-caries and anti-inflammatory).
- People who have a tendency to develop periodontitis and gingivitis;
- With crowded teeth;
- In whom it is observed bad smell from mouth;
- Orthodontic patients;
- Women during pregnancy;
- Sick diabetes mellitus.
What types of irrigators are there?
Today there are two types of irrigators:
- Family - differs in that it has a large water tank, it runs on electricity, and all family members can use it. The attachments are color coded so that family members can use them without confusion.
- Road - runs only on battery power and has a small water tank.
Irrigator attachments
Depending on the model you purchased, the kit may include one or more attachments. Some are considered universal and are suitable for daily hygiene, while the rest are designed to clean specific areas of the oral cavity.
The latter include:
- Attachments for cleaning the tongue from plaque and food debris that contribute to the formation of an unpleasant odor. Using this nozzle, you will ensure fresh breath all day long.
- Attachments for cleaning periodontal pockets will help maintain freshness. You will protect yourself from cervical caries and bleeding gums.
- Special orthodontic attachments are used in the presence of braces - this way you can easily remove plaque around the locks. The same applies to the situation when implants or crowns are installed. You will only be able to use the irrigator after the wound has completely healed after implantation.
- There are also attachments for rinsing the nasopharynx. They will help relieve inflammation and normalize the condition of the lining of the nasal canal.
How to use the irrigator?
Considering that for most of our fellow citizens this device seems to be a fairly new invention, not everyone understands how to use it correctly.
In fact, the rules are quite simple, and usually there are no difficulties. Here everything will depend on the purpose for which you are going to use the irrigator. It could be easy cleaning, treatment, standard prophylaxis or care of prostheses.
Important! You should consult your dentist in advance. Each of the individual cases considered implies different way cleaning.
If you need an irrigator as a means of prevention, then you should follow the standard rules:
- The device must be used in accordance with the attached instructions;
- Fill the device only with approved liquid or water;
- The direction angle of the jet should be 90 degrees;
- The procedure must be carried out sequentially;
- The head should be positioned so that the fluid from oral cavity could flow out freely;
- It is advisable to treat the gaps between the teeth a little longer;
- The device should not be used by children of preschool age.
Frequency of use
For preventive purposes, it is advisable to use the irrigator no more than 3 times a week. The dentist can recommend the most optimal mode and level of water supply for you. However, do not forget that the number of cleanings with of this device should not affect the quantity standard cleanings teeth with floss or a toothbrush. The irrigator serves only as an addition.
Important! On early stages caries or periodontitis, it is necessary to use the irrigator no more than twice a week.
What liquid should I use?
You can pour both regular warm water and decoctions of various medicinal herbs into the irrigator reservoir. However, you need to be extremely careful with the latter, because many herbal preparations have some contraindications. If you want to use herbal decoctions for these purposes, it is better to first consult a doctor.
Important! In addition to contraindications to the use of herbal decoctions in relation to health, small particles of plants can get into the technological parts of the irrigator, which can lead to disruptions in its operation, even breakdown. That is why the infusions must be carefully filtered several times before use.
The simplest and most optimal solution would be to use plain water. But before you pour water into the tank, it must be cleaned (filtered using a household filter), boiled and cooled to a temperature of 40 degrees.
Weak tooth enamel
"I have sensitive teeth“- this is what those whose enamel reacts to cold, hot, sour, etc. say. Yes, the thickness of the enamel can be individual feature depending on genetics and general condition body, but in general, such a reaction of the teeth indicates that there are problems in the areas where the teeth adhere to the gums - most often not caries, but the erosion that precedes it - thinning of the enamel.
Such places just react to stimuli. Erosion occurs because food particles remain in the interdental spaces and at the junction of the tooth crown and gums, which are difficult to remove with a brush or even dental floss. An irrigator is a salvation for those who do not clean everything with a brush, and such, alas, are the majority.
Bleeding Gums
There are many reasons: from periodontal diseases to, again, erosion, tartar, internal diseases. And in such cases, simply enhanced hygiene and care with antiseptic solutions and decoctions are needed medicinal herbs(all this can be poured into the irrigator reservoir), and massage the gums, helping to strengthen them. In most models of irrigators, the jet pressure can be adjusted so as not to injure the gums and at the same time effectively remove food particles.
For all those wearing braces, the issue of hygiene is paramount: it would be stupid to correct the bite, but end up with erosions and caries. After installing braces, the patient mandatory receives a recommendation to care for the oral cavity with the help of an irrigator, but whether everyone follows it is a big question. What, besides caries, threatens failure to follow this recommendation? The appearance of bad breath - one, premature failure of the braces - two. To clean braces you need a special attachment.
Nozzle for cleaning braces (orthodontic)
Crowns and veneers
It doesn’t matter whether you have metal-ceramics or metal-plastic, gold or silver. It is important that the gums around the “crowned” tooth gradually descend, and the neck of the tooth is exposed - sometimes by an almost imperceptible part of a millimeter, but for food debris this is a “gate”. A brush cannot cope with such things, neither can a thread; only washing with a thin stream under pressure solves this problem. Veneers are essentially the same as crowns, only they are installed not on the entire tooth, but on its “facade,” and the durability of the structure largely depends on the level of hygiene.
“Bridge” is a connecting structure between two teeth with artificial crowns if one or more teeth are missing between them. Above (or under) the place where there are no teeth, the gums “go away” over time - they fall or rise, depending on the location of the structure. As a result, a gap is formed between the “bridge” and the gum, which may not be noticed, and in it, as a rule, nastiness accumulates, and next to it are teeth with crowns, whose “neck” will also become exposed over time. Irrigator kits often include special attachments with thin brushes for caring for bridges and braces.
That's how it goes
Diseases of the ENT organs and frequent acute respiratory viral infections
Rinse your nose with a solution of table salt - something that is recommended for almost everyone and always for sinusitis, frequent runny nose, and susceptibility to ARVI. The mucous membranes of the nasopharynx very often suffer from dryness - these are the consequences bad ecology, and thinning under the influence of drugs. And dry mucous membrane becomes easily permeable to viruses and bacteria.
The most common solution of cooking or sea salt(half a teaspoon per glass of water) not only disinfects, but also restores the moisture of the mucous membranes, so rinsing the nose with an irrigator and a special nozzle is an alternative to pharmaceutical sprays with sea water”, which are most often made not from “Adriatic water”, but from saline solution. It's not bad, it's just not very fair, and it's also expensive.
If there are several attachments in the set, then the whole family can use the irrigator (this applies not only to nasal attachments). The lowest pressure is used to rinse the nose.
Smell from the mouth
The problem may arise not only due to dental problems, this is determined by the doctor: there may be violations on the part of gastrointestinal tract or diabetes. But in half of the cases, bad breath indicates poor hygiene and the presence of so-called periodontal periodontal “pockets” - when the gum moves away from the neck of the tooth and forms a small cavity. Sometimes this is a “lifelong” problem: the gum cannot be glued back, and until the tooth is removed, it will remain so. But it is very possible and necessary to take care of this area; some models of irrigators are equipped with special periodontal nozzles that best cope with the problem, but a regular jet will also help a lot.
In addition, sometimes the irrigator kit includes a tongue cleaning attachment - it is needed by people whose odor problem is related not to dental diseases, but to other diseases.
The installation of an implant takes place in several stages: first comes the implant itself - the “rod”, and it must take root; then, after a few months, the crown itself. Sometimes before installing an implant you need to build up bone tissue. All stages and subsequent life with an implant mean the constant use of an irrigator, because even slight inflammation can lead to rejection of the structure.
Diabetes and/or smoking
With diabetes or active smoking, the teeth and gums suffer greatly: with diabetes, mainly the gums, which often bleed; with smoking, the teeth, on which plaque forms from nicotine. In both cases, special care is needed.
Prevention of gingivitis, periodontitis, caries
At what age to start prevention depends on many circumstances, but it is better to do this before the appearance of serious problems with teeth and gums. At the age of “30+” - a must.
Pregnancy
A pregnant woman's body loses calcium, it goes towards the formation of the child's skeleton, and the condition of the mother's teeth may worsen. The irrigator will not add microelements, but will provide an excellent level of hygiene so that the teeth do not also experience external stress from plaque and uncleaned food debris.
What types of irrigators are there?
Conventionally, irrigators can be divided into three categories:
- stationary - hung on the wall or placed on the sink, powered by mains, designed for a family, includes several attachments
- rechargeable, portable - can be taken to the office or on trips, the tank capacity is enough for one use
- irrigator nozzles on the faucet - water flows into the nozzle “by gravity”, they do not need an electrical connection
Standing apart are devices that use not just a water jet, but an air-water jet; this option is closest to a real dental instrument.
We have selected several interesting and “indicative” models of irrigators so that you can get your bearings.
How to properly use an irrigator at home
Dentists confirm that a toothbrush is not capable of fully cleaning interdental surfaces, braces and periodontal pockets. It is almost impossible to treat the area with dental floss distant teeth Moreover, it can injure the gums. Therefore, the emergence of sophisticated dental care devices is justified. One of such devices that can take care of the oral cavity is an irrigator. Many have seen something similar in the dentist’s office, but not everyone imagines or understands how to use a irrigator at home.
What is it, benefits of use
Today on Russian market You can find two types of devices: stationary and portable.
First type The irrigator is powered by the mains, therefore, before purchasing, you should make sure that the bathroom has a suitable outlet for it. The volume of the tank, depending on the model, can be from 0.5 to 2 liters. In addition to autonomous ones, where water must be filled, stationary irrigators may be flow-type, powered by water supply, but they have not gained much popularity in our country due to poor water quality.
Portable type has one undeniable advantage - its mobility, which consists in the small size of the device. The volume of the reservoir does not exceed 1 liter, it has the ability to operate on rechargeable batteries, which allows you to charge the oral irrigator in any accessible place. The big disadvantage of almost all road types is their low power.
The irrigator is an excellent addition to a toothbrush and toothpaste during oral care.
It is worth noting that this device is in no way capable of replacing a standard teeth cleaning mechanism. Therefore, after purchasing a waterpik, do not rush to put your toothbrush on the far shelf. Definitely, the device is capable of cleaning hard-to-reach areas in the mouth, braces, crowns and implants. In part, the device can replace the dentist’s office; the irrigator will wash out periodontal pockets just as well as a dentist. With its help, it is possible to remove stone from the interslot spaces.
It serves as an indispensable means of preventing gingivitis, periodontitis, stomatitis in children and bleeding gums. But despite everything positive traits, you cannot refuse the services of a specialist, since only the dentist will be able to determine the diagnosis and correctly prescribe treatment.
Rules for using the device
Having made a choice and bought a device, many people only ask themselves at home , how the irrigator works and how to use it correctly so as not to harm your gums or teeth. The device really is an innovation, so before you start using it, it’s a good idea to look at the instructions for use or watch a video tutorial on the Internet.
What should be the liquid poured into the tank?
Quite often, many people wonder what kind of liquid can be poured into the device’s reservoir. Definitely, there should be water boiled and filtered, otherwise there is a risk of infection or damage to the unit. You can make herbal decoctions at home, but it is worth considering that not everyone and not always are allowed to use decoctions; it is better to consult your doctor on this issue. This is not the only reason that can make it difficult to use herbs; the fact is that poorly filtered plant particles can get into the technological openings of the device, disrupting its operation.
Make sure that the poured liquid is not too hot or cold; it should be comfortable for the oral cavity.
If the instructions do not say to use only clean water, then you can add a couple of drops to the tank mouth rinse, which will have a beneficial effect on teeth and gums when using an irrigator. But keep in mind that you will need to rinse the device more thoroughly after such a mixture.
How to treat the oral cavity
Before starting the procedure, you need to use a toothbrush, using it to remove large particles of food, and only then use an irrigator. The device is not able to replace mechanical treatment of the oral cavity; its purpose is to provide hygiene at the maximum level. The cleaning process itself should take about 15 minutes, this time is quite enough to complete the task of cleaning the oral cavity from bacteria, plaque and food debris.
While the device is operating, it must be held at right angles to the area being treated, directed from top to bottom, not forgetting that the gums hug the tooth.
Before using the irrigator for the first time, you can read the video instructions for the device, this way you can avoid operating errors and prevent possible damage to the gums.
You need to start cleaning your mouth with the lowest pressure, gradually increasing it, thus giving the gums and teeth the opportunity to adapt.
Cleansing the oral cavity should begin with the front teeth of the lower and upper jaw, gradually moving to the rear area, spending a little more time on them, since a regular brush does not always cope with its function in this area, and most of the food debris and harmful microbes collect there.
Before using an oral irrigator, you should not clean the interdental spaces with dental floss - it can damage the gums, and the device will only worsen the situation.
How many times a week can you use the device?
Depending on the goals pursued by the owner of the irrigator, the use of the device as a prevention of diseases, such as stomatitis, periodontal disease, oral hygiene or the treatment of a specific disease, determines the frequency of its use.
IN medicinal purposes The frequency of use of the device is determined by a specialist individually. In cases where there is a desire to increase the level of cleanliness of teeth and gums, it is enough to use the device up to 4 times a week.
Conclusion
The irrigator, invented back in 1962, is rightfully considered a unique device, capable of removing up to 99% of biofilm plaques that contribute to the formation of caries, periodontal disease and gingivitis. At correct use The device can improve blood circulation in the gums, remove unpleasant odors, and remove plaque from teeth from coffee and tea. If you have doubts about your actions in operating the unit, you can watch a video in which the manufacturers tell and show how to properly clean not only your teeth, but also the entire oral cavity with the device.
DIY oral irrigator
Oral hygiene is important for the general condition of the human body. That's why various manufacturers offer numerous devices for cleaning teeth and tongue. One of the most common is an irrigator, which allows a stream of water to clean the mouth from food debris. The high cost of the device makes it inaccessible to most families. But you can save money if you make a dental irrigator yourself.
What is an irrigator
Irrigator with nozzles
An irrigator is a device used for oral hygiene to cleanse teeth and prevent the development of gum disease. The principle of operation of the device is to supply a powerful jet of water, which, under its pressure, is able to clean the interdental spaces from food debris and remove plaque from the surface of the teeth.
The device consists of three main parts:
- mechanical part;
- container for water if the device is portable (portable);
- nozzles for water supply.
Often, not just water is poured into the container, but a special solution that allows for proper dental care. Solutions can be different:
- antiseptic;
- hygienic;
- medicinal;
- designed to improve bad breath.
Purpose of the irrigator
Some dentists actively use professional irrigator by doing hygienic cleaning patient's teeth. No less effective and standard home appliance– stationary (with a mandatory connection to the water supply) or portable (portable).
The attention of dentists to irrigators is drawn due to the following reasons:
- timely cleansing of the oral cavity helps prevent the development of caries and other diseases of the teeth and gums;
- there is an improvement in bad breath;
- the bracket system is properly cleaned;
- prevents bleeding gums;
- Provides care for installed implants and prevents their loss.
Doctors especially recommend using this device for pregnant women to prevent periodontitis and for patients with diabetes, who often develop gum disease when blood glucose levels increase. The device will also help children prevent the development of dental caries.
Contraindications for use of the device
In addition to the enormous benefits, the presented device has contraindications:
- postoperative period of dental surgery;
- stage of exacerbation of gum disease;
- recovery period after installation of braces or implants;
- diseases of cardio-vascular system which lead to bleeding gums due to damage to blood vessels;
- period of course treatment of dental diseases.
Making your own irrigator from a syringe
An irrigator can be made from a syringe. To do this you will need the following tools:
- 5 ml or 20 ml syringe (volume depends on personal needs);
- sandpaper for grinding down the needle point;
- mouth rinse.
Tools for making a DIY irrigator
The device is quite easy to make yourself. To do this you will need to do the following:
- Take the needle from the syringe and carefully grind off the tip with sandpaper. You can use sharper tools, such as a knife, to remove the pointed part. Next, you need to sharpen the damaged surface so that when used homemade device family members did not damage the gums.
- Carefully bend the remaining part of the needle so that it resembles a standard nozzle in shape.
- If the needle cannot be bent, you can heat it a little over the fire and carefully bend it into the required shape.
- To use a home-made device, you need to assemble the syringe, remove the plunger and pour in the used teeth cleaning product.
- Then insert the piston into the syringe and, using gentle pressure, provide the necessary pressure for the jet. In this way, the interdental spaces are cleaned from food debris, protecting teeth from plaque.
Option homemade irrigator from a syringe
Some masters use a speed regulator from a simple medical dropper instead of a needle. To do this, cut off the required length of the nozzle and secure it with wire. The regulator can be used to adjust the fluid supply power. The homemade device is not recommended for use for cleaning the mouth of children.
Syringe with dropper regulators
Do-it-yourself flow irrigator
Another way to make an irrigator with your own hands is a flow-through version of the device. Its difference is that there is no possibility of using a special liquid, and the oral cavity is rinsed with ordinary water. To assemble the structure, you must perform the following steps:
- Prepare a nozzle whose diameter will match the size of the faucet outlet.
- Screw a thin silicone or rubber tube to the nozzle.
- Open the water and start using the device.
- This method is convenient for cleaning teeth and interdental spaces. Even children can use the hose with nozzle.
An example of a homemade irrigator
To clean the oral cavity efficiently and effectively, it is recommended to follow the following rules:
- Beginners should use a device that regulates the lowest power flow of water. This is necessary to prevent bleeding gums and other problems with teeth that are not yet accustomed to this cleaning method.
- Dentists' recommendations are based on dividing the oral cavity into 4 sections. Start cleaning with the front teeth.
- All areas of the oral cavity should be cleaned - the outer side of the teeth, the inner side, gums, interdental spaces and periodontal pockets, in which food often settles, leading to the development of gum disease.
- All movements must be smooth, since sudden impact can lead to inflammatory reaction gums
Making your own irrigator significantly saves the family budget, and also makes dental care more thorough and of higher quality.
High-quality hygiene procedures in the oral cavity are the key to dental health. Dentists recommend that when brushing your teeth, in addition to basic hygiene products, you also use additional hygiene products, because the brush cannot always reach hard-to-reach places. At home, brushing your teeth with pressurized water can be used as additional hygiene. Such cleaning can be carried out thanks to a device specially made for this purpose, which is called an irrigator.
Irrigators appeared on the dental market not so long ago, but have already proven themselves. After all, brushing teeth with this device can be equated to professional hygiene oral cavity. Using an irrigator, you can remove more than 70% of dental plaque from the oral cavity. In addition to the cleansing effect, irrigators massage the gingival margin, improving its blood supply. The massage effect is achieved due to the pressure with which water enters the mouth. You will never achieve such a result using only a standard brush and paste when cleaning.
This apparatus consists of:
- hydraulic pump;
- water containers;
- handles to which the container and hydraulic pump are attached;
- replaceable nozzles.
Dental therapists recommend that every patient acquire this “miracle device.” After all, thanks to the irrigator, you can not only mechanically remove dental plaque from hard-to-reach places. If you place a special solution in a liquid container instead of water, you can achieve a therapeutic effect (anti-inflammatory and anti-caries).
But dentists especially recommend using irrigators for people:
- With crowded teeth.
- People who have a tendency to develop gingivitis and periodontitis.
- Orthodontic patients.
- Those who have constant bad breath.
- Patients with diabetes mellitus.
- Women during pregnancy.
Dental therapists do not recommend using irrigators for patients who have recently undergone surgery on oral tissues. Also, the irrigator should not be used, so as not to aggravate the situation, in case of exacerbation chronic stage periodontitis and gingivitis.
It is better to avoid brushing your teeth with water under pressure if your gums begin to bleed after using the device and this bleeding does not go away over time.
Children can be trusted with an irrigator only after they have ideally mastered the oral hygiene procedure. Even after this, the irrigator should be used under adult supervision to prevent the water jet from entering the baby's breathing apparatus.
How to use an irrigator correctly?
You should use an irrigator after each brushing of your teeth with toothpaste and brush. To do this, you need to remove the liquid container and fill it with either warm water or a special solution for irrigators. Dentists recommend using solutions, as they, in addition to mechanical cleansing, provide a positive therapeutic effect.
Cleaning the mouth with an irrigator should last fifteen minutes. The jet of liquid supplied under pressure should be directed at right angles to the surface of the gums. It is also possible to supply water at an angle of 60 degrees.
What are the long-term results of using an irrigator for oral hygiene?cavities?
- Oral hygiene is close to professional hygiene.
- The possibility of developing periodontitis, gingivitis and caries is excluded.
- Removing dental plaque from inaccessible places, which serves as a source of pathogenic microflora.
- The massage effect leads to improved blood circulation in the gums, accelerates metabolic processes, the regeneration process is faster.
- The functioning of the small and large salivary glands improves.
What to look for when buying an irrigator?
There are several types of irrigators on the market:
- Stationary.
- Road.
- An irrigator that connects to the water supply.
All these three types have their own characteristics.
Stationary device very convenient and easy to use. However, it requires electric current to operate. In addition, such an irrigator can hardly be called small due to big size water tank. However, if the irrigator is purchased only for home use, then you can choose this option.
Road irrigator It is small in size and requires batteries to operate. That is, such a device can be used anywhere, since it does not require electrical outlets.
Irrigator that connects to the water supply- This is the easiest device to operate, since it requires a water tap to operate. This device is perhaps the most popular.
Before purchasing an irrigator, you need to study user reviews about the models that interest you. Typically, user reviews are the best guide when making a purchase.
It should be noted that all models on the market have sufficient power to completely get rid of plaque. However, there are still several models with the highest power: AquaPulsar OS-1 and Aquajet LD-A7. Typically, such irrigators are purchased by orthodontic patients wearing braces, patients with dental implants and with artificial crowns. After all, these devices, due to the high jet pressure, are able to clean the most inaccessible places.
The AquaPulsar OS-1 irrigator is manufactured in China. It works from the electrical network. The device operates in two modes: spray and jet. The power of the water flow can be adjusted. The maximum water pressure reaches 800 kPa. This irrigator can work continuously for half an hour.
This irrigator kit includes four attachments: two standard attachments, one attachment designed for cleaning the tongue, and one brush attachment. That is, this irrigator can be used as a toothbrush.
The AquaPulsar OS-1 irrigator can be mounted on a wall. For this, the kit contains everything you need.
Aquajet LD-A7 irrigators are manufactured in Singapore by Little Doctor. This device also works from an electrical outlet, that is, it is stationary.
This device operates in four modes:
- Mild (used in children and people with hypersensitivity teeth).
- Massage.
- Average.
- Intensive.
The liquid pressure in the device can be adjusted.
The irrigator kit includes only four standard nozzles. These attachments have multi-colored rims. This is convenient when the family uses one irrigator. Family members will never confuse their attachments.
By cleaning your teeth with water under pressure, you don’t have to worry about damaging the tissues of your mouth and teeth, which cannot be ruled out when using a toothbrush with toothpaste. After all, with daily use of a brush, a small amount of the enamel layer of the teeth is sanded off. In addition, during active cleaning, you can accidentally damage soft fabrics oral cavity. In the case of an irrigator, such nuances do not occur, because in this case there is no need to make any movements. Cleaning is carried out using water pressure. In addition to cleaning, the gum margin is also massaged.
No one doubts that it is necessary to take care of your oral cavity every day, so every home has toothbrushes, pastes, dental floss, mouth rinses and a mandatory device for cleaning the tongue. But even this arsenal turns out to be not enough, since dentists, despite the fact that the appointment was exclusively preventive, will definitely recommend purchasing an irrigator.
Since recommendations are made repeatedly and from different specialists, the question arises: “Have you all come to an agreement with the manufacturers of irrigators?” To answer my question, I bought an irrigator for myself and my family members.
What is an irrigator and what is its use?
An oral irrigator is a device that is designed to perform the following hygiene procedures at home: removing plaque, food debris between teeth, gum massage. All these procedures are carried out through pulsations of water, and the strength and intensity in most cases can be varied.
That is, the irrigator in no way replaces a toothbrush and toothpaste, nor is it a medical device; its task is to rid the oral cavity of food debris that cannot be reached. Toothbrush, so dental floss is only useful outside the home; getting rid of plaque that for some reason you couldn’t cope with toothpaste; and gum massage, which prevents the formation of “pockets” under the teeth. And together, all these actions will help rid the oral cavity of the possibility of bacteria multiplying in it, and as a result, the appearance of caries.
Types of irrigators and their characteristics.
There are two types of irrigators on sale:- stationary, which doesn’t take much, but takes up space in the bathroom, although there is an option to hang it, it runs on mains power;
Portable or portable, which runs on a battery, more mobile than a stationary one. 
But when choosing an irrigator, you should pay attention not to its appearance, but to its characteristics, since they ensure the quality of the procedure, which is a priority for irrigators over convenience:
- jet pressure or pressure, which must be at least 650 kPa;
- the number of speeds for cleaning the oral cavity, that is, if there are people in the family with sensitive gums or children, then there should be options, and two speeds is not enough, but more than 6 is already too much, since such “fine” tuning happens superfluous, and will raise the price of the irrigator;
- nozzles, there should be no less than family members, since everyone should have their own nozzle, like a toothbrush. 
These are the main characteristics; additional, but not critical, I would include the volume of the water reservoir, the length of the cord, as well as the presence of additional specific attachments, for example, subgingival, that is, for periodontitis, but it is quite possible to buy them separately.
My experience.
I’ve had the irrigator for more than six months now, and I bought it from budget, no-name stationary models. I can say that the dentists were right, because with the irrigator it has become much easier to clean the oral cavity, after brushing your teeth with a brush, treating the oral cavity with an irrigator shows that microscopic pieces of food can find such hidden corners that even thorough brushing will not be able to pull them out from there, but nothing can hide from the pulsating pressure of the water.In addition to water, I add a rinse aid to the irrigator, which again can neutralize bacteria from the entire oral cavity.
Can be found negative reviews on irrigators as a waste of money, that is, it is enough to take water into your mouth yourself, move it in the oral cavity and the effect will be the same. I don’t agree with this, since even the most trained facial muscles will not be able to produce such a pressure of water; the effect of the irrigator is in this case much better. 
Summarize.
My experience shows that the irrigator turned out to be an excellent assistant in caring for teeth and gums; it is inexpensive and worthy of taking its place on the shelf in the bathroom.Oral hygiene is important for the general condition of the human body. Therefore, various manufacturers offer numerous devices for cleaning teeth and tongue. One of the most common is an irrigator, which allows a stream of water to clean the mouth from food debris. The high cost of the device makes it inaccessible to most families. But you can save money if you make a dental irrigator yourself.
What is an irrigator
Irrigator with nozzles
An irrigator is a device used for oral hygiene to cleanse teeth and prevent the development of gum disease. The principle of operation of the device is to supply a powerful jet of water, which, under its pressure, is able to clean the interdental spaces from food debris and remove plaque from the surface of the teeth.
The device consists of three main parts:
- mechanical part;
- container for water if the device is portable (portable);
- nozzles for water supply.
Often, not just water is poured into the container, but a special solution that allows for proper dental care. Solutions can be different:
- antiseptic;
- hygienic;
- medicinal;
- designed to improve bad breath.
Flow irrigator
Purpose of the irrigator
Some dentists actively use a professional irrigator when performing hygienic cleaning of a patient’s teeth. An equally effective and standard home appliance is stationary (with a mandatory connection to the water supply) or portable (portable).
Teeth cleaning
The attention of dentists to irrigators is drawn due to the following reasons:
- timely cleansing of the oral cavity helps prevent the development of caries and other diseases of the teeth and gums;
- there is an improvement in bad breath;
- the bracket system is properly cleaned;
- prevents bleeding gums;
- Provides care for installed implants and prevents their loss.
Doctors especially recommend using this device for pregnant women to prevent periodontitis and for patients with diabetes, who often develop gum disease when blood glucose levels increase. The device will also help children prevent the development of dental caries.
Contraindications for use of the device
In addition to the enormous benefits, the presented device has contraindications:
- postoperative period of dental surgery;
- stage of exacerbation of gum disease;
- recovery period after installation of braces or implants;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system, which lead to bleeding gums due to damage to blood vessels;
- period of course treatment of dental diseases.
Cleaning the bracket system
Making your own irrigator from a syringe
An irrigator can be made from a syringe. To do this you will need the following tools:
- 5 ml or 20 ml syringe (volume depends on personal needs);
- sandpaper for grinding down the needle point;
- mouth rinse.
Tools for making a DIY irrigator
The device is quite easy to make yourself. To do this you will need to do the following:
- Take the needle from the syringe and carefully grind off the tip with sandpaper. You can use sharper tools, such as a knife, to remove the pointed part. Next, you need to sharpen the damaged surface so that when using a homemade device, family members do not damage the gums.
- Carefully bend the remaining part of the needle so that it resembles a standard nozzle in shape.
- If the needle cannot be bent, you can heat it a little over the fire and carefully bend it into the required shape.
- To use a home-made device, you need to assemble the syringe, remove the plunger and pour in the used teeth cleaning product.
- Then insert the piston into the syringe and, using gentle pressure, provide the necessary pressure for the jet. In this way, the interdental spaces are cleaned from food debris, protecting teeth from plaque.
Option for a homemade irrigator from a syringe
Some masters use a speed regulator from a simple medical dropper instead of a needle. To do this, cut off the required length of the nozzle and secure it with wire. The regulator can be used to adjust the fluid supply power. The homemade device is not recommended for use for cleaning the mouth of children.
Syringe with dropper regulators
Do-it-yourself flow irrigator
Another way to make an irrigator with your own hands is a flow-through version of the device. Its difference is that there is no possibility of using a special liquid, and the oral cavity is rinsed with ordinary water. To assemble the structure, you must perform the following steps:
- Prepare a nozzle whose diameter will match the size of the faucet outlet.
- Screw a thin silicone or rubber tube to the nozzle.
- Open the water and start using the device.
- This method is convenient for cleaning teeth and interdental spaces. Even children can use the hose with nozzle.
An example of a homemade irrigator
To clean the oral cavity efficiently and effectively, it is recommended to follow the following rules:
- Beginners should use a device that regulates the lowest power flow of water. This is necessary to prevent bleeding gums and other problems with teeth that are not yet accustomed to this cleaning method.
- Dentists' recommendations are based on dividing the oral cavity into 4 sections. Start cleaning with the front teeth.
- All areas of the oral cavity should be cleaned - the outer side of the teeth, the inner side, the gums, interdental spaces and periodontal pockets, in which food often settles, leading to the development of gum disease.
- All movements should be smooth, since a sharp impact can lead to an inflammatory reaction of the gums.
Making your own irrigator significantly saves the family budget, and also makes dental care more thorough and of higher quality.
