"...dental diseases still exist in epidemic proportions."

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Reports	HEALTH Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General HEALTH Oral Health Information
Studies	MAGNETIC IRRIGATION Jounal of Clinical Periodontology: 1993; 20: 314-317 MAGNETIC IRRIGATION Journal of Clinical Periodontology: 1998; 25: 316-321
Articles	DENTISTRY TODAY: (1.9 MB) Innovations—Managing Dental Disease in the 21st Century THE FARRAN REPORT: (1.5 MB) A High-Tech Alternative to Flossing DENTAL PRODUCTS REPORT: (2.5 MB) Technique Periodontal Care THE RICHARDS REPORT: The Hydro Floss® Oral Irrigator
Gum Disease	► The Problems Caused by Plaque and Calculus
Before & After Pictures	► Dr. Terry Soesbe, D.D.S. Patient Results ► Reduction of Bacteria Under a Phase Contrast Microscope ► Dr. Louis J. Naman, B.S. D.M.D. Patient Results
Proper Irrigating with the Hydro Floss^?	► Instructional Information on "How To Irrigate"
Proper Brushing	► Instructional Information on "How To Brush"
Proper Flossing	► Instructional Information on "How To Floss"

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY 1993

ISSN 0303-6979

The effect of oral irrigation with a magnetic water treatment device on plaque and calculus

Watt DL, Rosenfelder C and Sutton CD:

The effect of oral irrigation with a magnetic water treatment device on plaque and calculus.

J Clin Periodontol 1993;

20: 314-317. ? Munksgaard, 1993.

Abstract: Calculus formation on tooth surfaces is analogous to the formation of lime and scale deposits in plumbing. Magnetic water devices have been shown to significantly reduce scale deposits in industry; therefore an oral irrigator with a magnetic water device may have a similar effect on calculus. To test this hypothesis, a double-blind clinical study was established using 64 irrigators, 30 of which had their magnetic devices removed. 54 patients with heavy supragingival calculus were given irrigators at random after prophylaxis. Instructions were given to irrigate twice a day, particularly the lower 6 anterior teeth. The patients were also told not to floss these 6 teeth which were to be the study teeth. They were examined after 3 months and measurements were taken of the accretions adhering to the study teeth. No attempt was made to determine whether the adhering material was hard or soft so it must be assumed that at least some of the measured material was also plaque.

The measurements of the group using an irrigator with a magnetic device showed a 44% greater reduction in calculus volume (p<0.0005) and a 42% greater reduction in area (p<0.0001) over the group using an unmagnetized irrigator. There appears to be a statistically significant difference in supragingival accretion volumes between conventional irrigation and using an irrigator with a magnetic water treatment device.

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Phone 1-800 258-0060 230 Business Center Drive
www.madow.com

Fax 410-526-5186 Reistertown, MD 21136
E-Mail: rreport@madow.com

Anyway, my favorite of all the gadgets, by far, is Hydro Floss. At first glance, Hydro Floss will remind you of any of the WaterPik type devices, and in many ways, it is not much different. The basic idea in all of these, of course, is to disrupt plaque by flooding them away from the cozy humble subgingival home they have set up in your mouth (without even being invited!!)

The difference on Hydro Floss is that the handpiece portion actually contains a magnetic device, giving the water that squirts out a magnetic charge. This (according to Hydro Floss, of course) "reverses the polarity of the ions at a molecular level," which reduces plaque and calculus by "inhibiting bacteria's ability to attach to teeth and attain critical mass."

Now, I wouldn't exactly use that phraseology with a patient unless they come in with a plastic pocket pen protector thing and their elastic waist pants pulled up to their nipples. As a matter of fact, in Reisterstown, Maryland, we would say something like,

"Clem, those bugs are attachin' to your teeth like barnacles to the bottom of a fishing boat. This here tooth hose has a magnet in it - it chases them bugs away faster than a pig in a poke. Use it and you'll be able to keep your teeth forever and it costs less than one month's payment on your camper!"

Anyway, I have to admit, at first I thought it was just another gadget. But the clinical double blind studies were pretty impressive. My favorite part of one of the studies was when they reported the control group got very upset when their Hydro Floss was taken away.

I have since recommended it to patients and friends with good to excellent results. I started using Hydro Floss last year - and it is addicting! It really makes your teeth and gums feel great. It makes a little bit of a mess, but is well worth it! I don't know (or care) if it's the magnets or just the ease of use, but most people seem to like using it, and it really seems to do the job.

They sell for about sixty bucks each, depending on quantity. The retail is $129.95 (they actually sell for that price in consumer catalogs.) I suggest that if you sell them to patients, you do it for around ninety bucks. (Hey - why pay retail? We're slashin' prices!) The other option is to include the Hydro Floss as part of a perio program total fee. It seems to me though that patients are more apt to use it if they actually pay for it.

Anyway, to order, or for more information, call Kyle McLain at Hydro Floss - 1-800-635-3594. He will even give you a no-risk money back trial (my kinda guy!!) Kyle and I aren't in cahoots or anything, but he is quite knowledgeable and a real nice guy to deal with. And if you ask him, he will send you enough studies to keep your bird cage lined for the next ten years!

Richards Report February 1999 Volume 6 Issue 7 Pg 6
Reprinted by permission of The Richards Report

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

1) Fill the reservoir with lukewarm water.

2) Insert the plug into a 110-120 volt A.C. outlet.

3) Insert the jet tip into the opening on the handle. Push down firmly! Jet tip should snap into place.

4) Turn pressure control knob to the ?High? setting.

5) Direct the jet tip into the bottom of the sink basin and turn the on/off knob to the ?On? position.

6) As soon as water begins to flow from the jet tip, press the water stop button on the handle, and turn the

pressure control knob to the setting that you intend to use, that is comfortable to you.

7) Direct the stream of water towards the gumline at 90 degrees, so that contact is made where the tooth and gums meet.

8) Maneuver the flow of water from tooth to tooth remembering to pause briefly between each tooth.

9) Two full reservoirs should be used during each use.

10) Empty any water remaining in the reservoir after use. Never leave water in the reservoir when your

Hydro Floss^? is not in use.

SPECIAL TIPS FOR USE

1) Irrigating is a technique that relies on your sense of touch. Therefore, it is a good idea to PRACTICE

irrigating while watching yourself in the mirror, without filling the reservoir or turning on the Hydro Floss^? . This will allow you to see the technique you will use. Pick a starting point and move the jet tip along your gums and between your teeth. As you practice, watch your movements and remember how it feels.

2) While irrigating, bend at the waist or tilt your head down over the sink. Leave your mouth partially open and    keep your elbow raised. This allows the water to fall into the sink and will keep you and your counter tops dry

DO NOT attempt to watch yourself in the mirror. You will make a mess!

3) Do not twist the entire handle of your Hydro Floss^? to achieve the correct irrigating angle. Instead, twist the jet tip itself. The handle design allows the jet tip to be twisted while the irrigator is operating. Twisting the handle will ultimately cause the hose to uncoil and/or kink.

4) Be sure to press down firmly when returning the reservoir to its place on the base of the Hydro Floss^?.

You may use a cup to fill the reservoir. This is easier and less messy.

5) The Hydro Floss^? may take five to ten seconds to begin pumping upon initial use. This is normal.

6) Always leave the reservoir lid on while not in use.

7) You may add two or three capfuls of your favorite mouth rinse to the water in the reservoir.

8) DO NOT add soda, salt or any other abrasive substance to the water in the reservoir as doing so will damage

your Hydro Floss^?.

CLEANING

Daily

1) Remove the reservoir and wipe dry both the inside and outside surfaces.

2) Wipe dry the base and handle of the Hydro Floss^? .

3) Be sure to wipe dry the counter top under and around the Hydro Floss^?.

           Weekly

         1) Fill the reservoir with very warm water.

           2) Turn the pressure control knob to the ?High? setting.

           3) Place handle in the bottom of the sink.

           4) Turn the on/off knob to the ?On? position and let reservoir empty into the sink.

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DAN WATT, DDS, FAGD

Dentistry is changing rapidly. The changes are so rapid that it is difficult for practitioners to stay current, and sometimes the educational information being disseminated is confusing. This is most prevalent in the management of dental diseases. But dental diseases still exist in epidemic proportions and professional therapy has not been as effective as it should have been.

We know that both decay and periodontal diseases are infectious disorders. Although there are several bacterial contributors to periodontal diseases, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis are major putative pathogens. These microorganisms and spirochetes can also lead to and produce infections in extraoral sites. Research articles are reporting a relationship between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular disease, abnormal pregnancies, pneumonia, strokes, arthritis, and other systemic conditions. The significance of these findings is that clinicians must change their viewpoint concerning patient home care. It is no longer enough to only floss and brush with cosmetic toothpaste to combat dental disease, especially periodontal diseases. This brings us to the question, Is there a viable alternative? In numerous studies, irrigation with a pulsatile pressure instrument has demonstrated positive results in periodontal treatment home regimens, and studies have also demonstrated the effectiveness of the hydromagnetics of the Hydro Floss^? irrigator. Hundreds of dentists have reported outstanding results when the Hydro Floss^? was added to their patient?s daily home care.

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JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY 1998

ISSN 0303-6979

The effectiveness of a magnetized water oral irrigator (Hydro Floss^?)

on plaque, calculus and gingival health

Johnson KE, Sanders JJ, Gellin RG, Palesch YY:.

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a magnetized water oral irrigator on plaque, calculus, and gingival health. 29 patients completed this double-blind crossover study. Each patient was brought to baseline via an oral prophylaxis with a plaque index ? 1 and a gingival index ? 1. Subjects used the irrigator for a period of 3 months with the magnet and 3 months without the magnet. After each 3 month interval, data were collected using the plaque index, gingival index, and accretions index. The repeated measures analysis on plaque, gingival and calculus indices yielded a statistically-significant period effect for P1I (p=0.0343), GI (p=0.0091), and approached significance for calculus (p=0.0593). This meant that the effect of irrigation resulted in a decrease of all indices over time. Therefore, the treatment effect on each index was evaluated using only the measurements obtained at the end of the first period (i.e., assuming a parallel design). Irrigation with magnetized water resulted in 64% less calculus compared to the control group. The reduction was statistically significant (p? 0.02). The reduction by 27% in gingival index was not statistically significant. The reduction in plaque was minimal (2.2%). A strong positive correlation between the plaque index and the Watt accretion was observed. The magnetized water oral irrigator could be a useful adjunct in the prevention of calculus accumulation in periodontal patients, but appears to have minimal effect on plaque reduction. The results indicated a clinical improvement in the gingival index, but this was not a statistically significant finding.

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