Hydro Floss Safety

The Hydro Floss is a magnetized oral irrigation device used for home dental care. The hand-held device streams pulsating tap water into the mouth via a jet tip in a process called hydromagnetics to flush out bacteria and plaque that tooth brushing and flossing can leave behind. When used daily in addition to brushing and flossing, the Hydro Floss can aid in removing bacterial plaque that often leads to inflammation, gingivitis and periodontal disease. The Hydro Floss can also help rehabilitate patients with failing dental implants. A magnetized oral irrigation device is considered a safe and efficient dental tool.

History

• The roots of the Hydro Floss can be found in hydraulics technology

  According to Kyle McLain, Director of Sales at Oral Care Technologies, an Alabama-based company that markets and distributes Hydro Floss, the idea of using magnets to pulsate water more effectively in an oral irrigation device was the brainchild of Don Evans, an employee in the water treatment industry. In the late 1980s, Evans observed how water streamlined through magnets could reduce mineral build up on pipes and transferred the hydraulics technology to a hand-held irrigation device for oral use. Within weeks Evans' homemade magnetic oral irrigator improved his gingival health and he set out to market his invention as Hydro Floss. According to a 1997 study in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology measuring the effectiveness of Hydro Floss on plaque and gingival health, treatment with Evans' magnetized oral irrigator showed a 64 percent lower calculus (or hardened plaque) index compared to a control group.

Purchase

• Often dentists can offer Hydro Floss at a discount

  The Hydro Floss is easily obtainable through a variety of vendors in the dental health industry. One unit comes with a reservoir and one regular jet tip, but Hydro Floss orders can be customized to include additional and/or specialized jet tips depending on need or dentist recommendation. Before purchasing the Hydro Floss, consult a dentist or hygienist to determine an appropriate oral health plan and guidelines for usage of an oral irrigator. Often patients find dentists sell the Hydro Floss in their office at a discounted price or can offer a discount code to be used on the Hydro Floss website. The Hydro Floss also comes with a one-year warranty as noted on the Oral Care Technologies irrigators link on the Hydro Floss website (See Resources).

Usage

• The Hydro Floss is used over a sink or basin just like when brushing teeth

  When initially setting up the Hydro Floss, plug in device near a sink or basin and set the pressure gauge at a dentist's recommendation or in the mid-range of 4 or 5. Fill the reservoir with warm water for a more comfortable treatment. The flow of water through the jet tip can be difficult to maneuver at first, so plan on getting splashed slightly with water the first few usages. Gauge levels can be increased over time as oral tissues become more tolerant of the device. When using Hydro Floss, point the jet tip so the water shoots at a 90-degree angle to the tooth's surface to more effectively flush out bacteria and plaque. Specialized Hydro Floss jet tips are more substantial than regular tips to reach infected tissue. For patients who find it difficult or impossible to floss because of severe gum recession, the Hydro Floss is still considered a safe and effective tool to reduce oral inflammation, infection, and disease.

Time Frame

• Studies show just a few minutes a day with the Hydro Floss can reduce gum immflamation

  Hydro Floss users can expect to spend a few minutes daily using the device and if used correctly often experience positive results in gingival health within days. Dental patients have reported marked reduction in gum inflammation within two weeks. Patients with painful conditions involving dental implants have seen improvement of symptoms with daily usage of the Hydro Floss.

Cost

• The Hydro Floss can run anywhere from $80 to $150 depending on the retailer

  The Hydro Floss is available through dental offices and a variety of online retailers ranging in cost from $80 to more than $150. Kyle McLain of Oral Care Technologies, the company marketing and distributing Hydro Floss, recommends patients consult their dentist before purchasing the Hydro Floss because of industry discounts.