[jerryn]

I've got an appointment for a cleaning at my Dentist in a month or two. It's been a while. I had a bad experience during a root canal a few years ago, back in the day when it required multiple visits. During the third visit the bit stopped in my tooth and the tooth snapped above the gumline, so instead of a composite filling I needed a crown. Well that experience made me put off my dental appointments. I've got a new dentist now. I bought a waterpik to attempt to do my own cleaning before I get the real deal. Man.. if you buy the portable unit and use the deep cleaning nozzle it really works well! I mixed a table spoon of hydrogen peroxide, a cup of listerine, and topped it off with water. I blasted between the teeth and gumline, blasted down into the gums, blasted on the inside gumline. I wish I bought this puppy earlier, flossing never did a job like this and with one bathroom in my house I never had the time to floss right. Now that I'm older it's more important. If you want to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease, I highly recommend one of these!

[princesslinda]

Jerry, thanks for your recommendation...i've always wondered how well they worked. I always dread anything to do with the dentist myself...like you, I had some bad experiences in the "old days." Was it at all painful to your gums?

[jerryn]

Originally Posted by princesslinda

Jerry, thanks for your recommendation...i've always wondered how well they worked. I always dread anything to do with the dentist myself...like you, I had some bad experiences in the "old days." Was it at all painful to your gums?

Well, the box the waterpik comes in says "some bleeding is normal" for the first two weeks of use. It took 2 days to get used to the waterpik. I made a mess of the bathroom at first since I sprayed water mixed with mouthwash everywhere. The only time I felt some discomfort was the first attempt. My gums are already getting firmer. I was amazed at how well it cleans in between your teeth. Once you use this you won't need to floss.

Here's how I use it. I mix water, one cap full of hydrogen peroxide, and one cap full of listerine moutwash. I glide the
waterpik nozlle along my gum line inside and outside. When you do this tilt your mouth to the sink so the water can drain out of your mouth. I then use the waterpik to clean my bottom teeth on the inside of my mouth. I've got some crowding there that has always been tough to clean. The waterpik cleans it well though.

You will be amazed at how well this works. Good luck, let me know how you make out.

My bleeding stopped the third day.

[jillrapp]

I'm going out to buy one tomorrow. No kidding. If it takes the place of flossing I'm in. I H A T E to floss!!!!!

Thanks for the info!

[georgepds]

Originally Posted by jillrapp

I'm going out to buy one tomorrow. No kidding. If it takes the place of flossing I'm in. I H A T E to floss!!!!! ...

I used to hate to floss too... but after $12k+ of dental expenses I've reconsidered. When I started down the dental path I used an electric toothbrush and water pick. Theses days I use the floss in place of the pick

It's not so hard. My rule is if I did not floss yesterday, it's time

[georgepds]

Here is what the Mayo clinic says

Dental floss vs. water pick: Which is better? - MayoClinic.com

"Standard dental floss is the most effective tool for cleaning the tight spaces between your teeth. You can also use dental floss to scrape up and down the sides of each tooth. If plain dental floss gets stuck in your teeth, use the waxed variety. If you have a hard time handling dental floss, try a floss holder. Other options might include special brushes, picks or sticks designed to clean between the teeth. A water pick, also known as an oral irrigator, is a device that aims a stream of water at your teeth. A water pick can help remove food particles from your teeth, but it's not a substitute for brushing and flossing."

[georgepds]

And then there is the water pick flosser, which is "clinically" proven to be just as good as manual flossing

Dental-U: Water Pik Flosser