Oral Irrigation Devices: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Periodontology
• Dental Hygiene

Background:

• Self-performed oral hygiene is crucial for preventing dental and periodontal diseases.
• Oral irrigators are widely used adjunctive home care devices.
• The precise effects and mechanisms of oral irrigators are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive systematic review of literature on oral irrigation devices.
• To identify evidence gaps regarding the efficacy and application of oral irrigators.
• To synthesize current knowledge on oral irrigator use in oral home care.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-Scoping guidelines.
• Searched four databases and eight gray literature sources for English publications.
• Included 275 sources predominantly from scientific journals and academic settings.

Main Results:

• Oral irrigation is safe and well-accepted, reducing periodontal inflammation.
• Potential mechanisms involve modulating oral microbiota, but require further research.
• Promising results observed in populations with dental implants and special needs; plaque reduction findings were mixed.

Conclusions:

• Oral irrigators demonstrate anti-inflammatory benefits and reduce periodontal inflammation.
• The impact on plaque removal requires further investigation.
• Future research should focus on well-designed trials assessing clinical, microbiological, and inflammatory responses, particularly in specific patient populations.