That irrigation syringe always freaks people out at first... You’re definitely not alone there.
Man, that syringe made me nervous too. First time I used it, I was sure I’d mess something up. Turns out, just going slow and not aiming right at the stitches kept things chill. Saltwater rinse did most of the heavy lifting for me anyway—never bothered with the fancy stuff.
I actually found the syringe more helpful than just rinsing, but maybe that's just me. I was a bit skeptical at first—looked like something out of a science kit—but after the first day or two, it honestly made cleaning around the stitches less stressful. I tried only saltwater rinses for my first extraction years ago, and I kept worrying about bits of food getting stuck. With the syringe, I could sort of direct the flow and feel like I was getting things really clean without poking at anything.
Guess it depends on how comfortable you get with it... but for me, the extra step was worth it. Saltwater does help, but that gentle flush gave me peace of mind.
I get what you mean about the syringe—being able to direct the water made me feel a lot less anxious about missing spots.
Did you find it tricky to use at first? I remember being worried about accidentally hitting the stitches or using too much pressure. Curious if anyone's dentist gave them tips on technique, or if it was just trial and error.With the syringe, I could sort of direct the flow and feel like I was getting things really clean without poking at anything.