Published studies confirm that Water Pik's water flosser is safe and effective, according to a new literature review in the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry (February 2015, Vol. 36:2, pp. 146-149).
"This is based on decades of use by the public and a body of evidence that has not reported any adverse effects," wrote David Jolkovsky, DDS, a periodontist and a lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry, and Deborah Lyla, RDH, director of research for Water Pik.
The review was divided into four sections: histological findings, subgingival pathogens, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment levels, and bacteremia. The categories were chosen to address specific questions and misunderstandings centered on the safety of the Waterpik water flosser or personal anecdotal beliefs that are not based on scientific evidence, according to the company.
The studies reviewed showed that the Waterpik water flosser reduces inflammation on a cellular level, removes bacteria from deep periodontal pockets, does not damage the junctional epithelium, and is in the same range as toothbrushing, flossing, and using wooden sticks in the incidence of bacteremia.
"In making clinical decisions that are in the best interest of the patient, it is important to be guided by the evidence and disregard anecdotal or incorrect information, assumptions, and personal biases," the authors wrote. "A plethora of studies conclusively show that daily use of a water flosser is safe."
However, "not all irrigators have the same specifications, and research findings for one device are not transferable to other brands or designs," they noted.
