Re: WATERPIKS ~ ANY RECOMMENDATIONS??

1Professor · ‎12-07-2014

@Sweet_Serenity wrote:
Waterpik and Sonic Tooth Brush: Different tools are both important for maintaining hygiene and gum care.

@Sweet_Serenity @tends2dogs @sassenach1 @chickenbutt @alicedee + all:

Waterpik and Sonic brush.

Recently published research (which got a fair amount of press) actually showed that flossing is a problem, doesn't get all the small foodparticles out, and is now coated with a variety of chemicals that get absorbed into the body based on being so near gums. Was connected with heart disease.

Many dentists don't read the latest reesarch, don't have the latest equipment.

I scolded mine (nicely) recently for those little give away pouches with a toothbrush. Besides accumulating a huge pile of toothbrushes (there's only so many non-dental uses), I suggested that giving a toothbrush was going against his recommendation of sonic brushes.

He agreed.

They get those things free and there's an incentive for them to give them out.

** Waterpiks are not fun. Messy. Water all over. But you can quickly get GOOD at it. Your gums love the massage and stimulation.

[In a former life I was a trained dental assistant and college drop out. Before I went back and got the BA, law degree, MA and PhD. As a researcher, I keep up on new studies.]

Great question OP, thanks!

alicedee · ‎07-25-2010

My nighttime routine is....brush with electric toothbrush, floss (I have a thin bar being my lower front teeth from my orthodontic work, so use a special threader), and last step is the Waterpik. I add a capful of Listerine to the water.

Always amazed that some little particle usually floats out of my brushed and flossed teeth with the Waterpik. It’s gross to think that I still miss something with brushing and flossing! I am a firm believer in them!

1Professor · ‎12-07-2014

@alicedee wrote:
My nighttime routine is....brush with electric toothbrush, floss (I have a thin bar being my lower front teeth from my orthodontic work, so use a special threader), and last step is the Waterpik. I add a capful of Listerine to the water.

Always amazed that some little particle usually floats out of my brushed and flossed teeth with the Waterpik. It’s gross to think that I still miss something with brushing and flossing! I am a firm believer in them!

@alicedee You noticed the critical factor (bits floating out AFTER flossing then using a waterpik)!

It turns out that plaque biofilm forms when particles are left for 24 hours. It turns into hard tartar. That's not much time. Missing bits means tartar is bonded to the tooth enamel (that your sonic toothbrush will NOT get) remains until scraped off by the hygenist.

As much as don't like the extra step when I'm busy in the mornings (or tired at night), Water Pik is a part of my routine. It becomes automatic.

*Another reason to schedule hygenist cleanings as often as your dental plan allows. Often dentists do not let you know how many cleanings you get FOR FREE on your plan. My new dentist (I moved) was surprised to see that I qualify for 3 cleanings a year. Just ask. (How many cleanings does my plan allow each year?)

Why do all this?

Because, you win.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

I wonder what the general consensus is on the order in which you do these things. Reading Alice's post, I find that the way I do it is the exact opposite. I like to do the water pik and any other stuff BEFORE the brushing.

I actually brush with prescription toothpaste now, and you need to keep from any drinking/rinsing/etc for 30 minutes after the brushing. I like the feeling of having it, except what I expectorate, in my mouth working for a while. I do this in the evening a little bit after eating dinner so that it has all those hours without interruption (except after the 30 minutes I continue drinking water of course).

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

@Misplaced Parisian wrote:
I use the Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser. I've been using a Waterpik for years and love it. Hope this helps.

@Misplaced Parisian

I'm also in the market for one.

Does yours make a mess in the bathroom?

I thought about buying one of the cordless ones so I could use it in the shower?

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

@1Professor wrote:
@alicedee wrote:
My nighttime routine is....brush with electric toothbrush, floss (I have a thin bar being my lower front teeth from my orthodontic work, so use a special threader), and last step is the Waterpik. I add a capful of Listerine to the water.

Always amazed that some little particle usually floats out of my brushed and flossed teeth with the Waterpik. It’s gross to think that I still miss something with brushing and flossing! I am a firm believer in them!
@alicedee You noticed the critical factor (bits floating out AFTER flossing then using a waterpik)!

It turns out that plaque biofilm forms when particles are left for 24 hours. It turns into hard tartar. That's not much time. Missing bits means tartar is bonded to the tooth enamel (that your sonic toothbrush will NOT get) remains until scraped off by the hygenist.

As much as don't like the extra step when I'm busy in the mornings (or tired at night), Water Pik is a part of my routine. It becomes automatic.

*Another reason to schedule hygenist cleanings as often as your dental plan allows. Often dentists do not let you know how many cleanings you get FOR FREE on your plan. My new dentist (I moved) was surprised to see that I qualify for 3 cleanings a year. Just ask. (How many cleanings does my plan allow each year?)

Why do all this?
Because, you win.

@1Professor

I learned something new since I started chewing gum with xylitol in it plus mouthwash & several other products. Xylitol prevents biofilm formation.

I started using it for dry mouth so this is an added bonus IMO.

It sure does help with my dry mouth.

I have been using Spry brand. I also bought some Pur gum. It had some chocolate mint in the package that I thought would be awful. It tastes like Andes mints.

Misplaced Parisian · ‎07-21-2015

@Nightowlz wrote:
@Misplaced Parisian wrote:
I use the Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser. I've been using a Waterpik for years and love it. Hope this helps.
@Misplaced Parisian

I'm also in the market for one.
Does yours make a mess in the bathroom?
I thought about buying one of the cordless ones so I could use it in the shower?

@Nightowlz I use mine over the sink and it doesn't make a mess at all. There was a wee bit of learning curve though....make sure it's in your mouth BEFORE you turn it on. I know, it's not rocket science, but the first time I used it I turned it on too quickly. Lesson learned. I think you will like it. I cannot be without one. Hope this helps.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

I, as klutzy as I am, don't make a mess with my Waterpik either. Like the Parisian, I do it over the bathroom sink. Mouth slightly open and it falls out into the sink.

The only exception to this was 2 years ago when I broke my left arm. Oh my goodness it was awful. My right hand is dumb as a box of rocks so, trying to waterpik my teeth with my right hand, often the darn thing would go flying out of my hand. What you don't want is a Waterpik running flying out of your hand!

tends2dogs · ‎05-08-2010

@chickenbutt If I may ask, what is the RX toothpaste you use? My DH has chronic dry mouth because of having a bone marrow transplant 10 years ago. He also has dry eyes. We have tried so many things to alleviate this. People don't realize how important saliva is for mouth health. He is getting cavities because of it and he is 74 years old. He always says that if this is the worst thing he has to deal with a result of his transplant, he isn't complaining.

This was the reason for my starting this post. TIA

Fear not Brothers and Sisters! I have read THE BOOK..........we win!!!

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

@tends2dogs wrote:
@chickenbutt If I may ask, what is the RX toothpaste you use? My DH has chronic dry mouth because of having a bone marrow transplant 10 years ago. He also has dry eyes. We have tried so many things to alleviate this. People don't realize how important saliva is for mouth health. He is getting cavities because of it and he is 74 years old. He always says that if this is the worst thing he has to deal with a result of his transplant, he isn't complaining.

This was the reason for my starting this post. TIA

It is Colgate PreviDent 5000. It costs more, as I have to get it from the dentist's office, but really I think it works out very inexpensive because one 3.4oz bottle lasts many months.

I also like Sensodyne products. But the PreviDent is about having 3 times the amount of Fluoride as drugstore toothpastes. I'm seeing improvement since I started using it, and even more using it with my Cybersonic toothbrush. I like Cybersonic more than the more mainstream sonic toothbrushes because it, well it's better, and it comes with a pretty small, round brush. For me, that is perfect.

HTH!