Water irrigations devices – those small instruments the dentist uses to spray a high-powered stream of water in your mouth, can be useful in cleaning trapped debris in between your teeth.

But these kinds of devices, including so-called ‘water picks’, should never be used as a substitute for tooth brushing and flossing.

Water irrigation devices are effective around orthodontic braces that retain food in areas a toothbrush cannot reach. However, they do not remove plaque. Water picks are frequently recommended for persons with gum disease. Solutions containing antibacterial agents like chlorhexidine or tetracycline, available through a dentist’s prescription, can be added to the reservoir.