A dental jet is an oral care device that propels a jet of water between the teeth and gums to remove food scraps, dental plaque and bacteria. Combined with daily use of dental floss and in addition to brushing teeth, the dental jet improves daily oral hygiene, while reducing the occurrence of dental plaque, cavities, periodontitis, or even gingivitis.

The dental jet, also called “dental hydrojet” and “water flosser”, is a device for irrigation and oral maintenance, making it possible to propel a jet of water between the teeth and the gums.

Consisting of a water tank, a jet head and a propulsion system, these devices send water under pressure, with enough intensity to lift off any residue that may be on and between teeth, whether food remains, but also dental plaque forming. They are generally adjustable to several different powers according to needs and tooth sensitivity.

Combined with daily use of dental floss and in addition to brushing teeth, the dental jet improves daily oral hygiene, while reducing the occurrence of dental plaque, cavities, periodontitis, or even gingivitis. Particularly very useful in young children who are still unskillful with the use of a toothbrush and in people with tight teeth, its use makes it possible to:

• before brushing your teeth and flossing, dislodge food debris from the interdental spaces and then remove them more easily using dental floss;
• after brushing and flossing, remove food scraps in hard-to-reach places;
• remove dental plaque and bacteria;
• clean, effectively and gently, crowns, bands, bridges, orthodontic appliances and dental implants.

Easy to use, just follow these few steps:

• provide for the water supply: to do this, simply connect the device directly to the tap or fill the tank with lukewarm water then place it firmly on its base;
• select a mouthpiece and snap it onto the handle then place the mouthpiece in the mouth and, starting with the molars, hold the dental jet a few centimeters from the teeth and gums, without touching them. It is advisable to lean over the sink to avoid splashing the bathroom furniture when switching on the appliance;
• choose the desired pressure and turn on the device, generally equipped with an on button or a dial to adjust the water pressure. Start with the lowest pressure and increase gradually. Make sure that the pressure is strong enough while remaining comfortable. Close your mouth to avoid splashing, while letting the water flow into the sink;
• tooth by tooth, direct the water towards the base of the gums and the areas between the teeth. Aim for the top of the tooth, the gumline and the space between each tooth. Hold the water jet on each tooth for about two seconds, repeating the process on the inside and outside of the tooth, until the entire mouth has been treated. It usually takes about two minutes;
• once finished: empty the tank and the water supply, switch off the appliance, remove the nozzle and empty the remaining water. Never leave water to stagnate in the tank in order to avoid the development of bacteria;
• clean the appliance: do not forget to rinse the dental jet reservoir after each use, especially if it has been used with an oral solution, to keep it clean. Also rinse the nozzle thoroughly under hot water. Finally, clean the housing and the handle with a damp cloth.

Precautions for use

When using for the first time, it is recommended to set the pressure control to the high level, place the nozzle above the sink, turn on the appliance and wait for the water to flow out, then switch off the device.

To extend its lifespan, in addition to rinsing the device after each use, it is recommended to change the tips approximately every 3 months, as they do not clean themselves and to pass the dental jet regularly with vinegar to eliminate the lime deposits and prevent them from clogging the dental jet hoses. To do this, all you need to do is:

• pour 2 to 5 tablespoons of white vinegar in a third of lukewarm water tank;
• place the handle in the tank and adjust the jet speed to the minimum;
• start the dental jet for a few seconds while the vinegar completely infiltrates the pump and the pipes;
• turn off the appliance and leave to act for about 2 hours;
• restart the dental jet for a few seconds in order to drain the vinegar into the sink;
• fill the water tank and start the dental jet in order to completely evacuate the white alcohol vinegar.

It is also recommended to:

• always unplug the appliance after use;
• do not handle the electrical outlet with wet hands;
• do not place or store the dental jet where it can fall or be pulled into a bathtub, shower or sink;
• do not use it in the bath;
• do not immerse it in water or any other liquid;
• do not use it for more than 5 minutes every two hours;
• fill the tank only with water or any other solution recommended by the manufacturer;
• remove all dental jewelry before use.

The first dental jet was developed in 1962 in the United States by hydraulic engineer John Mattingly and dentist Gerald Moyer, both of Fort Collins, Colorado. Even today, dental jets are based on the same principle and design as the original model, namely a powerful miniature pump that sends a pulsating jet of water through a plastic tip to clean the teeth.

The choice of a dental jet is based on various criteria:

• technology: there are 2 types of dental jet models which use different operations: a single water jet model and a combined model which combines water jets and air microbubbles, to optimize the massage gums and eliminate anaerobic bacteria that may be present in the mouth and have harmful effects if left untreated;
• pulsations: the power level may vary depending on the brand or model of dental jets. Some devices offer a smoother action while others offer a stronger action power. The number of pulses per minute must be between 1 and 000 for the device to provide a quality result;
• the pressure: in general, the pressure is regulated by a dial graduated from 1 to 10 at least, even on certain models from 1 to 12. It is important to be able to adjust the intensity of the device and therefore of the water jets to benefit from an optimal use in complete safety while allowing to obtain quality results;
• the reservoir: its capacity is an essential selection criterion which depends on the desired use for the dental jet. For family use, it is advisable to choose a device whose reservoir has a capacity between 450 ml and 1 ml. For individual use, a reservoir of less than 000 ml is sufficient.
• power supply: there are 3 types of power supply (rechargeable for cordless use, battery operated for cordless use, corded mains). The models that work wirelessly allow greater freedom of use of the dental jet. For rechargeable models, it is important to check the available backup time.