Abstract
ObjectivesThe present proof‐of‐principle study assessed whether daily use of a power‐driven water flosser (Sonicare AirFloss; SAF) leads to bacterial colonization in the nozzle and/or the device, resulting in contaminated water‐jet.Material and MethodsIn five participants, saliva samples at baseline and water‐jet samples of devices used daily with bottled water for 3 weeks (test) were collected. Additionally, water‐jet samples from devices used daily with bottled water extra‐orally for 3 weeks (positive control) and from brand new devices (negative control), as well as samples from newly opened and 1‐ and 3‐week opened water bottles were collected. Colony forming units (CFU) were recorded after 48 h culturing and 20 oral pathogens were assessed by polymerase chain reaction‐based analysis.ResultsDistinct inter‐individual differences regarding the number of detected bacteria were observed; water‐jet samples of test devices included both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species, with some similarities to the saliva sample of the user. Water‐jet samples from positive control devices showed limited number of aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species, while the samples from negative control devices did not show any bacterial species. Very few aerobic bacteria were detected only in the 3‐week‐old bottled water samples, while samples of newly and 1‐week opened water bottles did not show any bacterial growth.ConclusionsThe present proof‐of‐principle study showed that daily use of a power‐driven water flosser for 3 weeks resulted in bacterial colonization in the nozzle and/or device with both aerobic and anaerobic, not only oral, species, that are transmitted via the water‐jet.
Highlights
Mechanical cleaning of the teeth is essential to minimize the risk of caries and periodontal disease
Patient acceptability of the method and the degree of patient compliance are important aspects with regards to the effectiveness of the method/device; for example, power-driven devices seem to be preferred by most patients (Heiß-Kisielewsky et al, 2015; Shibly et al, 2001). One such power-driven device for interdental cleaning is the Sonicare AirFloss (Royal Philips N.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands; SAF), which emits a microburst of high velocity air and liquid micro-droplets causing a shear stress on the interproximal tooth surface to detach any biofilm accumulation (Rmaile et al, 2014, 2015)
The results of the present proof-of-principle study clearly showed that SAF devices are colonized by bacteria, oral species, even after a short period of regular use, and that these can be transmitted via the water-jet
Summary
Mechanical cleaning of the teeth is essential to minimize the risk of caries and periodontal disease. Patient acceptability of the method and the degree of patient compliance are important aspects with regards to the effectiveness of the method/device; for example, power-driven devices seem to be preferred by most patients (Heiß-Kisielewsky et al, 2015; Shibly et al, 2001). One such power-driven device for interdental cleaning is the Sonicare AirFloss (Royal Philips N.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands; SAF), which emits a microburst of high velocity air and liquid micro-droplets causing a shear stress on the interproximal tooth surface to detach any biofilm accumulation (Rmaile et al, 2014, 2015). The clinical efficacy of the SAF is still unclear (HeißKisielewsky et al, 2015; Mwatha et al, 2017; Stauff et al, 2018), it seems that it achieves higher acceptance among patients compared to flossing (Heiß-Kisielewsky et al, 2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
