How to Use an Oral Irrigator

Good dental health is not only important to the health of your teeth, gums and mouth, but also contributes to the overall health of your entire body. Aside from brushing twice a day, flossing and rinsing, you should be familiar with some of the additional tools for good dental health, such as an oral irrigator.

Instructions

1. Understand how an oral irrigator works. Also known as a water jet, an oral irrigator, works by omitting ultra-sonic pulses onto your teeth and throughout your mouth to essentially "vibrate" the plague, germs and food deposits from your teeth and gums. The average oral irrigator operates at 1,600 pulses per minute.

2. Set up your oral irrigator by first filling the water reservoir, then plugging the power cord into the wall outlet. There will be three tips to choose from. Place one on the end. Notice the power choices on the side of the device. They will most likely be numbered one through 10. This is the intensity level. Most people use a middle setting. Choose whatever is comfortable for you.

3. Hold the oral irrigator at a 90-degree angle and start at the back where your molars are located. Aim the tip toward the gum line and press the button that allows the water to flow out of the tip. Use a sweeping motion going forward, back and forward again. Make sure to get each tooth really good.

4. Take time to get in between the teeth. This is an area of high plague build up. Depending on the power level you have it set at, it may go through water quickly, meaning you need to refill the water reservoir.

5. Go back to the back of the teeth and repeat the process for the inside of the teeth, then the top outside and finally the top inside. The first couple of times you do this, it may take a little longer until you get a routine down and get comfortable with the oral irrigator. Do this once a day, preferably during your nightly routine.

6. Dump out excess water from the water reservoir after each use, dry thoroughly and store in a cool, dry area. This will prevent bacteria from growing on the tip and putting that bacteria into your mouth during the next treatment.