A study evaluated the effectiveness of pulsating water dental irrigators, both with and without microbubbles, in reducing gingival inflammation and dental plaque.
For four weeks, participants with gingivitis symptoms used these devices alongside their normal brushing routine. The objective was clear: to determine which of these technologies is most effective in combating inflammation and dental plaque.
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a severe oral infection that damages the soft tissue surrounding the teeth, i.e., the gums.
If left untreated, not only is the tissue damaged, but the bone supporting the tooth is also affected, causing the teeth to loosen or fall out.
It is a very common infection in older adults, but also prevalent among younger people due to poor oral hygiene.
How Was the Study Conducted?
For this study, 105 individuals aged 18 to 75 were randomly selected over a four-week period.
They were divided into three groups. The first group used a Waterpik brand irrigator, ION model, provided by the brand itself, using the classic jet tip at power level 8. The second group used the Oral-B brand Advanced irrigator, with instructions to use medium power in continuous mode.
The third group was given a Reach brand unflavored waxed dental floss, a standard American Dental Association (ADA) toothbrush, and Colgate brand fluoride toothpaste.
Before the study began, plaque samples were taken from all participants, along with notes on their specific conditions (bleeding gums, damaged tissue, etc.) for later comparison after the four-week period.
Study Results
All 105 participants completed the study, with no adverse events reported during the weeks.
Bleeding
Compared to the data at the start of the study, gum bleeding significantly reduced in those who used a water flosser, with reductions of 0.41 and 0.32 points respectively.
In contrast, those who used dental floss showed a reduction of only 0.19 points, demonstrating that dental irrigators are twice as effective for the mouth, proximal, and interdental areas.
Gingival Index
There was a significant improvement for those who used the Waterpik irrigator (0.37) and Oral-B (0.30) compared to those who used only dental floss (0.20).
Again, regular use of the water flosser resulted in significant improvements in the mouths of all participants.
Plaque Index
Both the Waterpik and Oral-B irrigators were found to be very effective in significantly reducing plaque compared to the third group, which only used a toothbrush for four weeks.
Key Study Findings
The results from this four-week study were quite revealing, proving that both irrigators helped their users achieve better gum health.
However, no significant differences were found between the use of microbubbles and the traditional method. While the Waterpik irrigator uses the usual pulse technology, Oral-B irrigators use a technology that, along with the jet, shoots a small burst of bubbles.
Seeing that there is no significant difference between using one or the other, this raises an important question: Is it worth investing in more advanced technology if the benefits obtained are the same as with a conventional irrigator?
Experts and Dentists’ Opinions
The results were well received by both the study organizers and various professionals in the field.
While they differ on certain aspects, such as adapting technology to individual needs or the necessity of ongoing education on proper use, there is unanimous agreement on one point: Innovation in dental hygiene tools is crucial for improving long-term oral health.
Comparison of Market Products
The current market offers a wide range of dental irrigators, from basic models to advanced options with microbubble technology. You can consult our carefully updated comparison of dental irrigators to find the one that best suits your needs.