Buying guide for Best water flossers
Whether you floss regularly or not, brushing and flossing are vital to maintaining a healthy smile. In fact, some dentists maintain that it’s actually worse to skip flossing than to skip brushing. Not everyone likes to use traditional string floss to remove plaque and food between the teeth, though, and this is where a water flosser comes in.
Water flossers are an alternative to string floss, using water pressure to remove food particles between the teeth. Water flossers are a relatively recent development in dental hygiene, but nowadays, there are many to choose from in stores and from online marketplaces like Amazon.
Before you place that water flosser in your cart, there are a few factors to think about. For example, you’ll want to consider the water flosser’s battery life, water pressure, portability, and cost. Also consider your own needs, especially if you have arthritis, braces, or other dental work.
Why get a water flosser?
Also known as water irrigation, water flossing was developed in the early 1960s. By 1975, the company WaterPik was leading the pack of water flosser makers.
Traditional string floss can be uncomfortable, especially if you’re not in the habit of using it regularly. For some people, it causes mild bleeding or gum irritation. What’s more, there are areas of the mouth — like the back molars – that can be hard to reach manually.
Flossing can be even more difficult for those with dental work such as braces, permanent bridges, or crowns. But a water flosser easily accesses hard-to-reach spots, washing away food particles between wires, lodged in back molars, and in between bridges. The water pressure is gentle and won’t irritate sensitive gums.
How water flossers work
Water flosser components
Most water flossers have several main components: a reservoir, handle, cord, and tip.
The reservoir holds the water source. It consists of a base with power and water pressure controls as well as a container for storing water
The handle is what you hold to (gently) manipulate the direction of the water. Some handles include an on/off switch
Corded models connect the handle to the reservoir base via a cord.
The tip twists onto the handle. Many water flossers come with multiple tip styles, each designed to serve different dental needs.
Step one
You’ll need a water source to use your flosser. Usually, a bathroom faucet works just fine. Fill the reservoir container with water before use.
Step two
Prepare the handle by placing one of the tips on the handle.
Note: The first time you use a water flosser, you’ll need to prepare the pump. Turn the water pressure on the reservoir base to the highest setting. Then, activate the power switch on the handle. Angle the handle and tip into the sink, then turn on the power switch located on the reservoir base. Water should flow from the tip into the sink.
Step three
Once your water flosser is working, you can customize it to your liking. It’s best to start with the lowest pressure setting. Lean over your sink, and place the water flosser tip in your mouth. Your mouth should be mostly closed with the tip angled toward your gum line. Allow the water to fall from your mouth and into the sink as it removes debris along your teeth. Adjust the water pressure as needed.
Step four
When you’re finished, turn off the power switch. Remove the tip from the handle, and store it in a safe place. A lot of water flosser reservoirs have built-in storage for the handle and tips.
Staff Tip
Tips with bristles, like plaque-seeker tips and toothbrush tips, should be replaced as often as you’d replace a toothbrush. Swap them out for new ones every three months.
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Important water flosser features to consider
Water pressure
Different water flossers offer different amounts of pressure. Water pressure is indicated by PSI, or pounds per square inch. The higher the number, the more intense the pressure is.
Most countertop water flossers have a higher water pressure range than cordless water flossers, although several exceptions exist.
In general, you can expect a water flosser’s pressure to range from 10 PSI and 110 PSI. Using a higher water pressure regularly (60 PSI+) helps maximize cleaning.
Water flosser tips
Any worthwhile water flosser will come with several different tip types, each meant for different dental needs.
Classic tips: Classic tips are suitable for everyday use. They’re best for people with fairly average teeth and non-extensive dental work. The classic water flosser tip is the most used and versatile water flosser tip.
Periodontal tips: Periodontal water flosser tips are designed for people with gum disease. Periodontal pockets are gaps around the teeth and below the gum line. They’re a classic sign of gum disease and quite vulnerable to bacterial growth and infection. Periodontal tips reach deep into the pockets to blast away plaque, accessing areas a regular toothbrush can’t.
Orthodontic tips: Orthodontic water flosser tips are designed to work around orthodontic structures, such as braces. Comparatively, they can remove more plaque and debris than string floss.
Plaque-seeker tips: These tips target plaque removal and include bristles to reach around crowns, implants, bridges, and other areas that are more likely to develop plaque.
Toothbrush tips: As the name suggests, these tips have a built-in toothbrush function. They don’t look much different from an electric toothbrush. With the water flossing feature, toothbrush tips wash away particles as the brush bristles loosen them.
Countertop vs. cordless
Traditional water flossers are “countertop water flossers,” meaning a cord connects the handle to a water reservoir. Countertop water flossers have a wider range of water pressures than their cordless counterparts, are more powerful overall, hold a lot of water, and often have storage space for the tips and handle. Countertop water flossers aren’t portable, however, and they require a bit of space to work properly.
Cordless water flossers are a portable alternative to countertop water flossers. They’re suited for travel, take up little space, and don’t require an outlet. On the other hand, cordless flossers have lower water pressure and a smaller water reservoir. There’s also no built-in storage for tips.
Battery life is also something to consider. Water flossers powered by AA batteries will need new batteries every couple of months, whereas water flossers with rechargeable batteries will need a charge every week to every few months.
Design
Water flossers are meant to be “function first, style second.” Most have the same sleek design with slight color variations. Silver, white, and gray are dominant color choices, although water flossers for kids might feature bright colors like pink, green, blue, or purple on the handle and reservoir base.
Water flossers are a great choice for people with arthritis in their hands who struggle to use string floss regularly.
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How much do water flossers cost?
Inexpensive
These days, there are water flossers available in every price range. We recommend investing in a pricier one if you have the means because the quality is likely to be better. On the lower end, you can find water flossers between $15 and $35. Most of these are cordless, and the cheapest ones are likely to have battery power. The number of included tips may be limited.
Mid-range
If you spend in the $35 to $75 range, you’re more likely to find a quality water flosser that can last for several years. This price range includes both cordless and countertop water flossers along with a range of tip options.
Expensive
If your budget has some breathing room, spending greater than $75 can get you a professional-quality water flosser. These flossers have bonus capabilities, such as enhanced plaque removal, several tips, and a handle that can rotate 360 degrees.
Staff Tip
Water flosser tips are prone to mineral build-up and must be cleaned every few months. You can do this by soaking the tips in a simple mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water.
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Tips
- Water flossing doesn’t replace brushing. You still need to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing your teeth will remove food, plaque, and tartar on the main surfaces of your teeth. Water flossers are meant for the gum line only.
- Aim for once a day. Same with string floss: Water floss once a day for the best results.
- Don’t forget to change the tips. Depending on the manufacturer and the type, tips should be changed out every three to six months.
FAQ
Q. Are water flossers FSA eligible?
A. They can be, but it’s not a given. If a dentist says you need a water flosser because of a particular oral condition, then you’d qualify for an FSA reimbursement.
Q. Can water flossers damage fillings?
A. Water flossers are pretty gentle, so it’s unlikely that they would damage fillings. Since you’re aiming for your gum line anyway, your fillings should be unaffected.
Q. Do water flossers remove plaque?
A. Water flossers can help with some plaque removal, but your best bet is to pair your water flosser use with regular brushing.
