Attarzadeh F
Int J Orthod. 1990 Spring-Summer;28(1-2):17-22.
Fixed orthodontic appliances increase the number of retention areas, resulting in increased possibilities for the accumulation of dental plaque. In addition, there is a risk of direct mechanical irritation. In spite of good toothcleaning most orthodontic patients develop generalized moderate gingivitis or an edematous type within one to two months after the placement of the fixed orthodontic appliances. Since the gingival changes represent a reaction to the bacterial plaque products rather than to the orthodontic forces; the only way to control them is by effective oral hygiene. Braces and banded teeth have many tiny recesses that a toothbrush and other cleaning aids have difficulty reaching. For good oral hygiene, these should be kept free of food debris. Water irrigating devices irrigates these hard-to-clean areas to remove food and other debris. Pulsating jets of water very gently lift the free gingiva to rinse out crevices. The water irrigator also pulses into areas between teeth and gums to flush out trapped food and debris. Water irrigating devices cannot by any means be regarded as substitutes for more effective plaque-removing methods, such as tooth-brushing and flossing; rather, they should be considered as an adjunct to the total oral hygiene program.
固定正畸矫治器会增加牙菌斑的滞留区域数量，从而增加牙菌斑积聚的可能性。此外，还存在直接机械刺激的风险。尽管大多数正畸患者在佩戴固定正畸矫治器后的一到两个月内，即便保持良好的牙齿清洁，仍会出现普遍的中度牙龈炎或水肿型牙龈炎。由于牙龈变化是对细菌菌斑产物的反应，而非正畸力的反应，因此控制牙龈问题的唯一方法是保持有效的口腔卫生。牙套和带环牙齿有许多微小的凹槽，牙刷和其他清洁工具很难触及。为保持良好的口腔卫生，应清除这些部位的食物残渣。水冲洗装置可冲洗这些难以清洁的区域，以清除食物和其他残渣。脉动水流可非常轻柔地抬起游离龈，冲洗牙缝。水冲洗器还会将水流脉冲到牙齿和牙龈之间的区域，以冲出滞留的食物和残渣。水冲洗装置绝不能被视为更有效的去除牙菌斑方法（如刷牙和使用牙线）的替代品；相反，它们应被视为整个口腔卫生计划的辅助手段。
