Specific Dental Needsback
Good dental care is a requirement for maintaining healthy gums, protecting dental work, and reducing the risk of gum disease from specific health issues.
Orthodontics (Braces) More Info
Braces help restore proper function of teeth and create a winning smile. However, they can also create problems such as gingivitis and white spots, which can lead to tooth decay.1-6
These problems can be minimized or prevented with good daily dental care:
The first step is good toothbrushing twice a day. A manual toothbrush works well if properly used, but individuals with brackets and other fixed orthodontic devices may find it easier to use a power or sonic toothbrush. However, even a sonic toothbrush can't remove all the plaque. Some areas in the mouth can't be reached with brushing alone; other tools may be needed.
The second step involves removing plaque from areas that a brush can't reach, like between your teeth and around brackets and wires. One easy effective way to remove plaque and improve gum health around these appliances is to use the Orthodontic Tip with the Waterpik® Water Flosser.
The Orthodontic Tip is designed with a tapered brush on the end to help remove plaque that sticks to the brackets and between the teeth, while also flushing the bacteria and food debris from around teeth and under the gums.
In a recent study, the Waterpik® Water Flosser removed three times as much plaque and reduced bleeding better than brushing and flossing in 11-17-year-olds with fixed orthodontic appliances. And they liked it so much that 92% said they would continue to use their water flosser "every day" or "frequently" when the study was completed.7
It's so important to have regular dental check-ups during orthodontic treatment. using fluoridated toothpaste or adding a fluoride rinse to your routine can also help prevent white spots (decalcification) and decay.
- Chang HS, Walsh LJ, Freer TJ. Enamel demineralisation during orthodontic treatment. Aetiology and prevention. Aus Dent J 1997;42:322-327.
- Gorelick L, Geiger AM, Gwinnet AJ. Incidence fo white spot formation after bonding and banding. Am J Orthod 1982;81:93-98.
- OReilly M, Featherstone J. Demineralisation and remineralisation around orthodontic appliances - an invivo study. Am J Orhod Dento Orhop. 1987;92:33-40.
- Oggard B, Rolla G, Arends J. Orthodontic appliances and enamal demineralisation. Part 1. Lesion development. Am J Orthod Dento Orthop 1988;93:29-37.
- Nranjo AA et al. Changes in the subgingival microbiota and periodontal parameters before and 3 months after bracket placement. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2006;130:e17-e22.
- Atack NE, Sandy JR and Addy M. Periodontal and microbiological changes associated with placement of orthodontic appliances. A review. J Periodontal 1996;67:78-85.
- Sharma NC et al. Effect of a dental water jet with orthodontic tip on plaque and bleeding in adolescent patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2008;133:565-571.
Crowns / Bridges / Veneers More Info
Crowns cover most or all of a tooth, and a bridge is attached to two or more crowns to fill the space where a tooth is missing. A veneer is a thin, tooth-colored piece cemented onto the front of a tooth. They can improve the look of stained or badly shaped teeth and close small spaces or gaps between teeth.
Dental work like bridges and crowns can be challenging to keep clean. The Waterpik® Water Flosser is designed to clean around all types of dental work and restorations. The pulsating action helps clean under the bridge and around crowns where bacteria and food can get trapped. And the new Plaque Seeker™Tip provides additional plaque removal around all types of dental work.
Implants More Info
Not long ago, the only way to replace missing teeth was with a crown, bridge, or denture.
An implant can replace a single missing tooth, several teeth, or in some cases, all of your teeth. A single implant consists of three parts: the titanium post that duplicates the root of a tooth, the abutment that attaches to the post, and the crown that attaches to the abutment. The crown resembles a natural tooth and is visible in the mouth. Single implants can replace more than one missing tooth or support a bridge where three or four crowns are connected.
Just like your natural teeth, you need to care for and clean dental implants. Plaque and bacteria that form around an implant can cause inflammation known as peri-implantitis. Daily cleaning of all the surfaces above and below the gumline is very important.
A manual, power, or sonic toothbrush with soft bristles and a Waterpik® Water Flosser with the new Plaque Seeker™ Tip can clean around implants above the gum line. The Waterpik® Water Flosser fitted with a Pik Pocket™ Tip is ideal for cleaning below the gum line. This soft tip is placed slightly under the gum-line and the gentle pulsations of water or therapeutic solutions flush out bacteria.
Implants are the natural-looking way to replace missing teeth and can make wearing dentures significantly more comfortable. They are easy to clean if you follow a few simple techniques. Don't wait to replace missing teeth- see your dentist today.
What are dental implants? www.dentalimplants.org/dental-implants.
Gingivitis More Info
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can result in redness, swelling, and bleeding. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious level of gum disease that destroys the bone and can lead to tooth loss. According to the American Academy of Periodontists, 3 out of 4 Americans have gingivitis.
Gingivitis Symptoms
Gingivitis generally does not cause pain, so it is important to recognize the symptoms before it leads to periodontitis. Signs of gingivitis include red, spongy, shiny, or swollen gums that bleed easily, even during regular tooth brushing. Gingivitis may only affect a small area of the mouth in the early stages. If it progresses, gum disease can affect the entire mouth, making the gums painful to the touch, and in severe cases, bleed spontaneously.
Gingivitis Causes
The main cause of gingivitis is dental plaque. Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that continually grows on the teeth and under the gums. If not removed or controlled on a daily basis, it tends to accumulate between your teeth and around the gumline. Other contributors to the risk and severity of gum disease and oral health problems are smoking and diabetes.
The bacteria in plaque release toxins that irritate the gums and cause inflammation, leading to infection and bad breath. If left undisturbed, plaque can harden around the teeth and under the gums to form tartar (calculus), which must be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.
Reversing Gingivitis with the Waterpik® Water Flosser
The good news is that gingivitis and gum disease are both preventable and treatable and excellent oral health is achievable. Adding a Waterpik® Water Flosser to your teeth cleaning routine is one of the fastest and most effective ways to fight gum disease. Recent clinical research found that the Waterpik® Water Flosser was up to 50% more effective than traditional string floss and 80% more effective than Sonicare® Air Floss for reversing gingivitis and improving gum health.
The Waterpik® Water Flosser was invented by a dentist and has been clinically proven in over 55 published clinical studies to have the most effective combination of pulsation and pressure to clean where brushing and flossing can't reach, and achieve optimal oral health.
If you see signs of gum disease, gingivitis or periodontitis, call your dentist and make an appointment for an exam and assessment of your oral health. Your dentist and dental hygienist can best determine the appropriate treatment for you.
Diabetes More Info
Studies show that diabetes increases your risk for periodontal (gum) disease and that people with diabetes may get periodontal disease earlier and more severely.
Children with diabetes have been shown to have more gingivitis than children without the disease.1 A recent study found that periodontal destruction can begin early in life for children with diabetes and may become more pronounced in adolescence.2
Additionally, people with poor glycemic control often experience poor gum health. It often manifests in severe gum bleeding, deeper periodontal pockets and more bone loss. If you have diabetes or are a caregiver for someone who does, it's important to have regular dental exams and dental cleanings and excellent oral hygiene habits.
The Waterpik® Water Flosser is one of the few home care products tested on people with diabetes. When added to tooth brushing, a Waterpik® Water Flosser is ideal for a diabetic's oral health because it can significantly reduce plaque, bleeding, and gingivitis better than tooth brushing alone.
- Mealey BL, Oates TW. Diabetes mellitus and periodontal diseases. J Periodontal 2006;77:1289-1303.
- Lalla E et al. Periodontal chagnes in children and adolescents with diabetes. Diabetes Care 2006;29:295-299.
Pregnancy More Info
When you're pregnant, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Pregnant women need to eat a healthy and balanced diet, get regular exercise appropriate for each trimester, and avoid things like tobacco and alcohol.
It is also important to keep your teeth clean. During pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations can impact your response to the bacteria in dental plaque, increasing the risk and severity of periodontal (gum) disease.
Many pregnant women experience a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. This generally occurs during the second trimester, coinciding with increases in levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. There is also a shift in the type of bacteria to those that are associated with periodontal disease and bone loss.
The gum tissue may appear bright red and shiny, swollen, and it can bleed easily and excessively. Often, these changes are associated with inadequate oral hygiene, but they can even happen to women who practice good oral hygiene.
Changes in oral hygiene techniques and professional dental care can help improve or resolve the condition. In some cases, pregnancy gingivitis may persist until late in the pregnancy or until after delivery when hormone levels return to normal.
Recently, researchers have studied the impact of having periodontal (gum) disease during pregnancy on an unborn child. Early studies have shown a link in the number of premature births or low-birth-weight babies in women with periodontal disease. Researchers continue to explore this relationship to help find answers to reducing the number of preterm births and underweight babies.
This relationship emphasizes the importance of good oral hygiene before, during, and after pregnancy. If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, schedule an examination with your dentist to discuss your oral health. Your traditional dental hygiene regimen may not be adequate.
Along with tooth brushing, it is important to clean between your teeth and below the gumline to remove the bacteria and toxins that irritate the gums. Adding a Waterpik® Water Flosser to tooth brushing is one of the fastest and most effective ways to improve your oral health. In fact, a recent study demonstrated that the Waterpik® Water Flosser in conjunction with toothbrushing was twice as effective as string floss at reducing gum bleeding.
Developing good dental hygiene will help you during pregnancy and set the tone for establishing positive habits in your child to prevent oral disease in infancy, childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood.
Periodontal Gum Disease More Info
The Waterpik® Water Flosser was invented by a dentist and has been clinically proven in over 55 published clinical studies to have the most effective combination of pulsation and pressure to clean where brushing and flossing can't reach, and achieve optimal oral health. If you see signs of gum disease, gingivitis or periodontitis, call your dentist and make an appointment for an exam and assessment of your oral health. Your dentist and dental hygienist can best determine the appropriate treatment for you.
Symptoms of Periodontitis Gum Disease
In addition to the signs and symptoms of gingivitis, periodontitis gum disease symptoms include:
- A bad taste in your mouth and persistent bad breath
- Gums that pull away from the teeth or receding gums
- Loose teeth or a change in the way your teeth feel when you bite or chew
- Wider spaces between your teeth
- Gums that are tender or sore to the touch
- Pus around the gumline
Causes of Periodontitis Gum Disease
Bacteria in plaque is the main cause of gingivitis and periodontitis. Plaque is a sticky film of microorganisms that continuously forms on the teeth and under the gumline. These bacteria may release toxins, especially below the gumline, that irritate the gum tissue and cause inflammation.
The gums may eventually break down and separate from the teeth causing a deep space called periodontal pockets. These pockets are very difficult to clean, allowing the bacteria to grow and multiply. Other contributors to the risk and severity of periodontal gum disease and oral health problems are smoking and diabetes.
Periodontal Gum Disease Treatment and the Waterpik® Water Flosser
The best way to treat periodontitis is to prevent it from occurring. If you already have Gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, you can restore your gums to optimal health relatively quickly through improved oral hygiene and teeth cleaning. Adding a a Waterpik® Water Flosser to daily oral care is one the fastest and most effective ways to improve your oral health and reverse gingivitis. Invented by a dentist, the Waterpik® Water Flosser offers the best combination of pulsation and pressure to clean where traditional methods, such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing, can't reach. Recent clinical research studies have shown that the Waterpik® Water Flosser is 50% more effective than traditional dental floss, and 80% more effective than Sonicare® Air Floss for improving gum health. (Insert links back to Nebraska Study vs. String Floss, and BioSci Study vs. Air Floss.)
If you have been treated for periodontitis, it is not uncommon to have some remaining periodontal pockets. To improve cleaning, use a Waterpik® Water Flosser with a Pik Pocket™ Tip. This tip is easy to use and gently cleans periodontal pockets deeper than rinsing or string floss.
Treatment for periodontal gum disease depends on the extent of the disease. Your dentist or periodontist can best diagnose your status and prepare a treatment plan for your specific needs
Bad Breath More Info
Bad breath is not just embarrassing; it may also be a sign of other conditions, including gum disease.
Bacteria that cause gum disease live below the gumline and can produce a volatile sulfur compound, the agent often responsible for bad breath. The bacteria can also cause inflammation, but because it's below the gumline, you may not see or feel it.
The inflammation can make bad breath worse.
If you suffer from bad breath, please make an appointment to see your dental professional. He or she may recommend that you use a water flosser. Studies show that the Waterpik® Water Flosser can disrupt bacteria that live deep beneath the gumline, reducing the bleeding caused from periodontal inflammation.
Periodontal Pockets More Info
Moderate periodontal disease affects the majority of people at some time in their lives. About 80% of adults have some bone loss, and between 40-50% have bleeding gums. If you've ever been told that you have a periodontal pocket or "pocketing," you've experienced this.
Treatment requirements vary depending on the severity or depth of the pocket or pockets you have. Only your dentist can tell you what your specific treatment needs are.
It is not uncommon for people who have been treated for periodontal disease to have some pockets remaining. The biggest problem this creates is in daily cleaning. Traditional methods, such as brushing, string flossing, and rinsing, are limited to how far they can reach into a pocket.
To improve your cleaning of a periodontal pocket, use a Waterpik® Water Flosser with the Pik Pocket™ Tip. This tip is easy to use and gently cleans up to 90% of the depth of the pocket.
Smoking More Info
Smoking is a major risk factor for developing periodontal (gum) disease.
- People who smoke are four times more likely to have periodontal disease than non-smokers.
- The more you smoke, the more likely you are to have a more severe case of periodontal disease.
- People who continue to smoke while being treated for periodontitis will have up to 50% less healing response than non-smokers.
Smokers may not have the usual first sings of gum disease such as redness, swelling, and bleeding. The nicotine in cigarettes constricts blood vessels and impairs this response. However, if you look closer, other signs of periodontal disease are present, such as bone loss and periodontal pockets.
If you smoke, the best thing you can do for you and your family is to stop. Quitting smoking cannot reverse previous damage done to your teeth, gums, and bone, but the disease process slows down significantly and your response to treatment is similar to someone who has never smoked. Cigars, pipe smoking, and smokeless tobacco are also risk factors for periodontal disease.
If you have periodontal disease due to current or former smoking, you should consider adding a Waterpik® Water Flosser to your daily tooth brushing.
Studies show that people previously treated for periodontal disease who added a Waterpik® Water Flosser to their daily routine had better reductions in bleeding and gingivitis than those who did not.
Additionally, it is not uncommon to have some pockets remaining after treatment. The biggest problem this creates is keeping the pocket clean. To improve your cleaning of a pocket, use a Waterpik® Water Flosser with a Pik Pocket™ Tip. This tip is easy to use and gently cleans periodontal pockets deeper than string floss.
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