Best Water Picks
Posted on | January 10, 2012 | No Comments
There are several water picks in the marketplace right now. However, in my personal opinion, there are a few clear winners when it comes to which ones are the best water picks available. Below are my favorites, from one to three.
#1: Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser
What I really like about this water pick is that it has virtually everything you would possibly need in order to effectively keep your teeth clean. I would put this one up there as a commercial grade water pick, at the same time, you do not have to have training in order to use it.
It comes with six different tips you can easily place onto the water pick depending on your circumstances. If you are someone with implants, crowns, or bridges, there is a special new tip they just released as part of this water pick made to get to those hard to reach places!
They also have a special tip designed for the water pick to be used on someone who has braces. Sometimes the traditional water picks are not as effective right around the braces where it can be hard to get the traditional tip up close an personal. The orthodontic tip is designed to brush the braces at the same time as getting the water around them a little easier. Reports indicate that this tip on braces is 3x more effective at removing plaque than taking the time to traditionally floss which is often very time consuming anyhow.
At the same time, one great feature is that you can control the water pressure. Some people have indicated that water pressure is an issue for them if they have just began using one of the water picks. I recommend starting on the lowest setting, which is very light and comfortable, and working your way up until it feels like you have the water pressure that is right for you.
#2 Panasonic Oral Irrigator EW-DJ10-A
My second favorite is another great option when it comes to choosing a water pick. The reason why I like this one is because it is a cordless option, light weight, and extremely easy to use. It is very good for someone who may travel a lot. The first option is great for home use, but not ideal when it comes to traveling. It is a little bit bulky.
The Panasonic Oral Irrigator (also simply known as a water pick), comes with a single tip designed to be as effective at cleaning your teeth as possible. It is also cordless, meaning that you are not stuck using this next to an outlet or tied to your bathroom sink. Instead, you will be able to pick this up as you would any normal toothbrush and use it anywhere.
It also comes with 2 speeds designed for those that have sensitive gums and/or teeth. It is normal for people who are not used to having the deep cleaning performed on their teeth to experience some discomfort (it is not dangerous or painful) with the higher speed. This will allow you to work up to that with the slower speed, which is still effective at cleaning.
#3 RediBreeze Oral Irrigator Dental Water Jet
What some people do not like about water picks is that some of the above options are just yet another thing they have to place on top of their already limited spaced vanity in their bathroom. With this oral irrigator (also known as a water pick) you will quickly get the most out of your faucet. This water pick hooks up directly to the water faucet and is meant permanently stay there. It is a great option for someone with limited space who wants a simple solution in cleaning their teeth.
What I really like about this design of faucet connecting water pick versus others is that it has a pulsing action. The pulsing action is more effective and dispersing the water pressure where it will comfortably but effectively clean your teeth.
Another great benefit to using this water pick and having it connected directly to the sink is that you control the water temperature. The water temperature will remain consistent and you do not have to be concerned about the water cooling off or becoming cold. With this one, the water temperature should remain consistent and for the person using the water pick, this will add to the comfort of using a water pick that is designed to connect to a sink or shower head.
How Frequently Should I use a Water Pick?
Posted on | April 27, 2012 | No Comments
Believe it or not, there is some debate out there among certain people about how frequently you should use a water pick. Let me just be honest, water picks are at their best when used in conjunction with brushing your teeth. There is no substitute for good dental hygiene and whether you’re a flossing, brushing your teeth, using a water pick, or doing all three, you’re going to find that your oral hygiene is at its best when they are used in conjunction with one another.
So, for frequency of water picks, my recommendation is twice daily. I certainly don’t believe that there is anything that would cause problems if you were to use it more frequently, but for most people, this is a matter of convenience. If you simply use your water pick before heading off to school or work, and then before you go to bed, you give yourself the best opportunity to keep plaque build up down to a minimum.
One thing that you should note is that you should always follow the manufacturers instructions. Also, if you are just now using a water pick for the first time, you may need to start out with less intensity (if your water pick allows) and perhaps less frequently. It is not uncommon for people who have just now purchased a water pick and have recently had relatively poor oral hygiene to experience a little bit of discomfort, but also a little tenderness after their first few uses. This is not typically causing damage, and you should ensure to keep a small gap between the tip of your water pick and your gums / teeth. Place a little bit more space between the two if you are experiencing additional discomfort.
My guess is that within a week of using your water pick you should begin to see improvement in the look and feel of your teeth and gums. Again, at first, you may notice a slight redness and a little bit of tenderness. This is not uncommon and you should not be concerned that the water pick is too aggressive. If it is, lower the settings so that you experience less discomfort! Oral Hygiene is not meant to cause discomfort, but rather comfort in the long run!
Three Things to Help Get Whiter Teeth
Posted on | February 10, 2012 | No Comments
#1: Watch your diet
You may not realize it, but certain foods, especially things like coffee and dark sodas will cause your teeth to change color. It is also encouraged that you should stay away from greasy foods or generally anything that has a lot of fat in it. I know, it sounds like I’m pretty well eliminating everything that you eat. Your best bet though is simply to try to eat healthy. Generally those things like carrots, vegetables, and fish are actually healthy for your teeth depending on how they are cooked.
#2: Brush your teeth twice per day
Most people have the habit of brushing there teeth once per day. For most of us, this is done in the morning before work. While this is not a bad idea, it is better to remove plaque and have clean teeth for longer periods of time. The less plaque there is on teeth the less chances there are of having it stain them. This is why brushing every night before bed is equally as important. Plus, your wife or husband will certainly appreciate it too.
#3: Water Picks
As mentioned above, your going to see whiter teeth most when plaque is removed. This is why your teeth look whiter after having most of the plaque removed from your teeth after a deep cleaning at the dentist. However, with todays technology you can bring that deep cleansing product on home. It is known as a water pick. Water picks have been out on the market for a while, but are just now gaining in popularity. The reason why they are gaining in popularity is because they are up to 93% more effective than flossing. For you, this means much whiter teeth on a regular basis.
I have several recommendations here on the website. If you are worried about having the time to use one, I would recommend the Showerbreeze or Redibreeze. These hook up directly to the shower head or faucet and will provide very convenient access. However, if you are looking for all the bells and whistles, you might consider the Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser. It comes with 10 options to choose from and you won’t be disappointed!
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath
Posted on | February 3, 2012 | No Comments
You may be someone who suffers from bad breath. It can be extremely embarrassing. I think the more social of a person you are, hanging around people that aren’t extremely close friends, going out into crowded areas like bars and clubs, the more important it is to have a good smelling breath. It doesn’t really matter how nicely you dress or if you took a shower and put deodorant on, the moment someone smells a persons breath that smells like they have only been eating onions for the last week, it gives an immediate thought that the person has pretty bad hygiene all around. This may or may not be true.
It is true though, that for a lot of people, they may have really good oral hygiene but still have problems with bad breath. This can usually be narrowed down to a couple of conditions.
#1: Medical Conditions
Medical conditions is one of the possibilities, but fairly rare. Some people suffer from constant drainage. The drainage at the back of the throat that is consistently going all day and all night will turn a nice smelling breath immediately after brushing your teeth into a terrible smelling breath over the course of just a few minutes. Also, if you have tonsil stones where small particles of food build up, then you may also find that those are not easy to get rid of. Brushing your teeth is not a solution for that, and what you will find is that as the air comes from the back of your throat and across those bad particles of food stuck left in the back of the throat, then it leaves a very terrible odor as it exits the mouth.
#2: Diet
If you are eating terrible foods that naturally give bad breath, the more problems you will have with it being an issue. If you eat lots of food with garlic or onions or other strong and distinct smells, those are likely to be left in your mouth for a long period of time. Generally, people will be able to smell the odor of those things on your breath for a while and brushing your teeth will not always get rid of the bad breath. As well, some types of food encourage plaque build up. When this is the case, you may build up plaque more quickly than your neighbor based on your diet. Sugary and fatty foods are often a big culprit of plaque build up quickly.
Solution:
Water picks – I’m not going to tell you that water picks is an end-all to bad breath. Diet and the factors mentioned above can still be a problem. However, the water pick can help with these areas more effectively.
With medical conditions such as constant drainage and tonsil stones, you will find that water picks are a great solution to getting rid of those tonsil stones in the back of the throat where your tooth brush can not reach and/or is not effective. Also, with special tips that a lot of the water picks come with, you can do a better job of washing the back of your tongue and the back of your throat.
When it comes to the diet, plaque build up may still be an issue for you. However, leftover plaque after brushing the teeth or flossing is like a vacuum for other plaque that could potentially build up. It is natural for plaque to grow and build on itself, but if you eliminate it more effectively, the less problems you will have with it. Therefore, the water picks are very handy if this is an issue for you. Studies indicate that using a water pick is 93% more effective than flossing. This tells us that by getting rid of 93% more of the plaque between your teeth will help keep plaque build up to a minimum, as it should be. Again, eliminating as much of the culprits to bad breath as possible will be a longer lasting solution!
How to Get Rid of Tonsil Stones
Posted on | January 30, 2012 | No Comments
One of the primary reasons behind owning water picks is that I have a condition known as tonsilloliths. In short, most people simply refer to the condition as having tonsil stones. Essentially, what it appears like to me is larger openings in the back of my throat where my tonsils are located. I have never had my tonsils removed and overtime, depending on my diet, small particles of food will build up and get lodged in this opening.
When I was in high school is when I really first started noticing this happening. I remember looking in the back of my throat and seeing a small white spot. I could barely get my tongue back there to feel it and noticed that it was something that wasn’t supposed to be there. I used a toothpick (ouch!) to get it out. The thing ended up being about pea sized! It was a small pea sized chunk of dried nasty food particles that had built up there and couldn’t get loose of the small hole that was holding it there.
The problem now though is that if any food builds up there, then it just simply grows overtime. It doesn’t seem to have a huge impact on me if I brush my teeth or gargle on a regular basis, it seems to still occur. It does not necessarily hurt, but it is very irritating when for several days in a row you cannot seem to get it to come loose with your tongue.
The best solution I have found is the use of a water pick. A toothpick worked okay for a while, I have used tweezers too, but no luck with those. The toothpick doesn’t have the strength and at times if you aren’t extremely careful you will end up poking yourself and you will find yourself bleeding and with an irritated throat.
A water pick has a nice design because it has a good amount of water pressure. Instead of using a toothpick to dig it out, a water pick will break it up and easily flush them out without much effort. Especially overtime as you get used to using one, you will find that reaching that area will become second nature as you are using your water pick. A standard water pick (any of those recommended here) should work fine.
The only thing to note is that you may want to have access to a mirror for the first several times using it. So a shower water pick may be the least recommended if you are buying one for this purpose. The Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser is still one of my most highly rated water picks.
Cleaning Your Teeth At Home
Posted on | January 23, 2012 | No Comments
One of the more frustrating aspects for a lot of people is that they feel obligated to visit their dentist once a month in order to have their teeth cleaned. I am not saying that there is a substitute to visiting your dentist and having a routine cleaning. However, for a lot of people, they can do a very good job of keeping their teeth clean by simply using one of the many water picks that are available out there.
One of the biggest misconceptions about water picks is that they take too much time to use. With todays technology and the improvements that have been made for at-home water picks is that they have also improved on how or when they are used. Redibreeze now makes a water pick known as the Showerbreeze Water Jet Dental Irrigator. See, I do most of my hygiene stuff in the shower anyhow. In fact, I shave in the shower, I brush my teeth in the shower, and do all of the other things that normal showers do. Until I got the Showerbreeze, I was spending extra time once I got out to use it. However, at times if it was late, or if I was in a hurry, I would skip this step because it took extra time in order to get it out, get the water into it, and then the cleanup afterwards was sometimes irritating.
The Showerbreeze has made my life much easier. It hooks up nicely to the shower head. I simply flip a switch and water starts coming from the water pick. It really is a one or two minutes job, and there is no cleanup so there are no issues with the wife rushing me to get out of the bathroom so she can get in there and fix her hair!
The only issue with having a water pick for the shower is that some people have complained of lower water pressure. The water pressure in my house is really good naturally so a small decline in water pressure did not have much impact on the functionality of my shower. If you naturally have issues with water pressure in your home, perhaps this water pick would not be best for you. Beyond that, the vast majority of people who have purchased the Showerbreeze had nothing bad to say about it and really loved the convenience of it!
The Benefits of Using Water Picks
Posted on | January 10, 2012 | No Comments
Reduce Chances of Getting Gum Disease
Generally gum disease is a direct result of poor oral hygiene. However, the most irritating part for some people is that as gum disease begins, it can become very painful to do traditional flossing methods. The gum disease or gingivitis can cause small pockets between the gums and/or teeth where infections can begin to set in. The best chance of eliminating these without having all the discomfort of normal flossing is to use one of the many water picks that are available. This will typically eliminate the plaque build up or other things that could be causing the gum disease to begin in the first place.
Eliminate Gum Disease Quickly
As noted above, the biggest problem for many people with gum disease is that they cannot floss or do normal oral hygiene methods because it becomes too painful or uncomfortable. With the use of a water pick, you can comfortably message the tender gums to eliminate the plaque and other build up that could have the gum disease running rampant to begin with. With water picks, you will find that eliminating those toxins or plaque will be a great way to get rid of gum disease quickly and comfortably.
Effectively Eliminate Plaque
The vast majority of people feel that the only way to eliminate plaque is to brush your teeth and traditionally floss your teeth. While I cannot disagree that those are certainly effective methods, it has been studied and water picks are up to 93% more effective on most people than traditional flossing for removing plaque on and between teeth.
Easiest Flossing Method for Braces
The biggest issue for most people with braces that reaching between the teeth is extremely difficult with a normal toothbrush. Even worse, trying to floss is both time consuming and can potentially damage braces if not done properly. Using water picks is easier, less time consuming, and safer for anything permanent orthodontics that are inside the mouth. Water picks are extremely effective at removing the small particles of food that can build up around braces that can sometimes even be embarrassing! Water picks are extremely easy to use, and as someone who wore braces for three years, I highly recommend one to anyone is wearing braces.
How to Use Water Picks
Posted on | January 10, 2012 | No Comments
There are a wide variety of styles of water picks on the market, but you will find that the majority of them are all used in a similar manner. For most people, the hardest part is actually getting comfortable with using them. The mechanics of using a water pick is generally not what everyone is used to. For example, the majority of people normally are used to pressing a button only to use a device, water picks have an opposite philosophy so normally people will have water spraying the moment they turn the device on. The button is normally held to stop the water from spraying, not to start it. Below are quick and easy to read directions on how to effectively use water picks.
Step 1: Adjust water temperature
Most people prefer a lukewarm temperature when using a water pick. You do not want hot water, and at the same time, cold water can sometimes be uncomfortable especially if you have sensitive teeth. If you are using a water pick that holds water itself, you should plan on replacing that water before each use. Typically room temperature water is too cold for most people. You may simply need to add a little bit of warm water or replace it all together.
Step 2: Adjust water pressure
If this is your first time to use a water pick, you should start on the lowest setting. If you are not used to having your teeth cleaned or having a water pick used on your teeth, the higher settings will probably feel a little bit uncomfortable. While higher settings might be slightly more effective at removing plaque, the beginning stages to using a water pick is going to be a lot about getting your gums and teeth used to the water pressure. It is not uncommon for people who use their water pick for the first time to have gums that are a little bit sensitive for the first couple of days, especially if you already have gum disease such as gingivitis. You will quickly get used to it.
Step 3: Hold button down, turn on water pick
As funny as it may be the first time you use your water pick, the hardest thing to get used to for most people is holding down the button when they turn their water pick on. Holding the button down will keep water from coming out. This is actually probably the hardest part to get used to for most people because most products you hold the button down to start a device, not hold it down to stop it.
Step 4: Place water pick into mouth, let go of button to begin using it
If you are not using this in the shower or over a sink, you will probably want to close your mouth as you use the water pick to keep the water in your mouth. This is avoid making a huge mess on the floor. You will most of the time go by feeling instead of sight. After roughly 15 – 20 seconds of use, you will probably have to stop the water pick and spit out the excess water. This will be much like going to the dentists office. Instead of having the little device to suck the water out for you, you will have to spit the water out into the sink as if you were brushing your teeth.
Step 5: Work your way around your teeth
Working your way around your teeth will become easier as you get used to using the water pick. Much like brushing your teeth where the circular motion becomes second nature, maneuvering water picks will be very similar without really having to look in the mirror while using one. The preferred method is to begin on one side near the molars and work your way around the gums, as you come to the location where two teeth meet, work your way down the crevice where your teeth meet up. Using the water pick, work your way back up and then on to the next tooth. Continue this until all of your teeth have been cleaned. Then, work your way around the back sides of teeth using the same method.