ADAQ Museum of Dentistry: Hydro Water Toothpick

This hydraulic dental syringe is one of the first oral irrigators for home use.

The tap-attached jet-stream devices did not take off commercially - except for gardening - while of course Waterpik® and other electric water flossers are still sold around the world today.

According to the original instructions leaflet, its use involved removing the tap strainer, selecting the right size thread, screwing in the Hydro tap fitting, turning on the diverter, and inserting the jet tip, which could be rotated to change water jet direction. A special adapter for ‘outmoded’ taps and additional jet tips could only be obtained by writing to the manufacturer.

Do you currently use an electric flosser?

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