[Endocarditis risk in use of dental irrigators]

The incidence of bacteremia after application of a dental irrigator was investigated in 100 healthy volunteers. Venous blood was inoculated in routine blood culture bottles one, three and five minutes after dental irrigation. In 39 volunteers a transient bacteremia was detected, mainly Strep. Viridans was cultured. Incidence correlated with the grade of oral hygiene und periodontal disease.