Dental water pik daily ?

[zipper]

[B
][/B]I have not checked in for quite some time and now have a question I hope you all can answer.

My dentist advises using a water pik daily at home. I do have a cleaning (pre-medicated) every 4 months but plaque still builds up. Is it safe to use a water pik daily with no meds involved ???

I appreciate any and all replies...........zipper

 

[aussigal]

What is this water pik you speak of ?...

I try to remember to use dental floss daily, which helps with the muck that gathers around the gumline and between teeth,,,amazing and horrifying what your toothbrush doesnt clean-up. Then I gargle and swish with one of those antiseptic mouthwashes for a minty fresh mouth ! 'sposed to also help kill bacteria.

 

[Cooker]

Ton....A water-pik is like a mini pressure washer.


Zipper...I don't see why not....I floss everyday and sometimes bleed a bit. I always rinse with a good mouth wash that has alcohol as an extra precaution......that also helps alleviate banana breath

 

[WayneGM]

I used a Water Pik for years, both pre-op and post-op. I cleared it with the Cardio and he said no problem.

 

[hensylee]

many years ago a dentist wrote down the words 'water pik' and sent me off to the drug store. The dentist said that my mouth would feel wonderfully clean and stop any gum disease that may be loitering just below the surface. He was right. I add some peroxide on occasion. At that time they were about $35 but don't know how much now. I still have mine and it still works after all these years. I highly recommend them and that you should spray away. You can adjust the force of the water and change as your gums get used to the force, if you like. It washes all that stuff from between your teeth. Go get one.

 

[KristyW]

The ADA no longer recommends antibiotics for routine cleanings. Go forth and water pic away.

Ross..this is incorrect. IF you are still on the list (artificial valve etc.) then it is a MUST at a cleaning...this is the procedure that stirs up the largest abount of bacteria!!! Simple fillings are not required to pre-medicate though.

 

[Marguerite53]

I have steered clear of them just because it seems counterintuitive and I am not very disciplined. IF you use it every day, pretty much religiously then you are not allowing much bacteria to build up which would get sprayed into crevases in your mouth and potentially cause problems. If you are like me and not terribly disciplined and only might get to it once a week or something then I suppose (just suppose) there might be a teeny bit more concern.

Truly, I would call your cardio's office and ask a nurse to look in your chart, ask the cardio and get back to you. I'm almost certain my cardio said they were fine. You will feel much better about your investment if you have the cardio's blessing.

I will always medicate at the dentists before a teeth cleaning. ALWAYS!!

Pik away!!

Marguerite

 

[Jkm7]

KristyW...... That is what my Cardio and Surgeon told me. They were both very definite that people with tissue or mechanical valves should still pre-medicate before dental cleanings. They told me to never go to the dentist for anything and not pre-medicate.

Truthfully, I'm more interested in what my surgeon and cardio say than my dentist in this regard though he has not disagreed. I haven't spoken with him about it as I'm still way under six months post op.

 

[KristyW]

KristyW...... That is what my Cardio and Surgeon told me. They were both very definite that people with tissue or mechanical valves should still pre-medicate before dental cleanings. They told me to never go to the dentist for anything and not pre-medicate.

Truthfully, I'm more interested in what my surgeon and cardio say than my dentist in this regard though he has not disagreed. I haven't spoken with him about it as I'm still way under six months post op.

Actually the new rulings come form the American Heart Association and the ADA has adopted them. Now if you were going in for a simple biting surface filling, there really isn't a need to premedicate because there is very little risk of stirring up the bacteria. But any procedure that may have the dentist/hygienist drilling/scraping below the gumline...you SHOULD premed if you are still in the "premed" group. (I know Marty...you don't )

 

[zipper]

Thanks everyone....as always the bottom line is what my Cardio says so I'll give him a call just to be sure.

BTW I still medicate before cleanings and have not been told to stop. My daughter who has a heart murmur has been told she no longer needs to.

 

[Curtsmum]

Just checked these out on ebay never heard of them, they must not be avalible in the uk. All the sellers are American, they seem pretty cool i have one on watching.

 

[zipper]

Just a quick note to tell everyone interested that my Cardio says it's OK to use the dental water pik daily.

Zipper

 

[hall]

I never thought of medicating when I use the water pik. Thanks to everybody for checking w/the cardios!

 

[hensylee]

I bet they are somewhere over the pond. After all, the world is so small now that nearly every country has the same thing as all the others. Maybe if you can find the manufacturer, contact via the net and ask what they are called in your area. Might work.