Best Water Flossers

Maintaining proper oral hygiene should be everyone’s priority as it ensures healthy gums and teeth. An important step in this process, and one that many tend to skip on, is flossing. Removing the plaque from hard to reach spaces between teeth can prevent cavities, gum disease, and ensure fresher breath. And the best part is, flossing doesn’t have to be a tedious task- you can achieve the same results with less hassle with water flossers.

Water flossers are designed to eliminate any food particles and plaque buildup from between the teeth and along the gumline but to do so, they rely on water streams. An ideal choice for people who wear braces but also for anyone looking to improve their oral hygiene, water flossers will keep your smile sparkly and healthy- no fuss required.

How Do Water Flossers Work?

As the name suggests, water flossers use water to help clean the interproximal space. The combination of water pressure and pulsation will direct the stream and help rinse off any bacteria and build up that lurks between your teeth and around the gum line. There are different designs of water flossers, so the specifics of operation can vary but the basic functions remain the same for all.

However, there are some studies that claim that this is not enough to use just a water flosser instead of dental floss. The reason for this is that water flossers just rinse the space between the teeth whereas floss can be used to scrape off more persistent plaque and as such offers more efficient protection from bacteria and disease. Ideally, you would use both a water flosser and regular floss to ensure maximum cleanliness.

Dental Floss vs Water Flossers: Which Is Better?

While there are some experts that claim that using dental floss is more efficient for cleaning the space between teeth than relying on water flossers, the real truth is not as black and white as that. There are pros and cons to both of these methods and tools, and it is important to consider all of the factors before deciding what is the best option for your own needs and preferences.

Dental floss cleans better

There’s no doubt about it: when used properly, string floss can effectively scrape away plaque buildup, bacteria, and food particles from interproximal spaces. Unlike oral irrigators or water flossers that rinse away the impurities stuck between the teeth and around the gum line, dental floss can completely remove the film that clings to the surface of the teeth itself. In an ideal world, you would combine string floss with an oral irrigator to completely eliminate any possibility of plaque buildup and bacteria overgrowth.

Water flossers are more suited for people with sensitive gums

One of the biggest issues people have with string floss (other than it being a hassle to use) is that they can make their gums bleed. It’s kind of a vicious circle: not flossing can cause gum disease but flossing can irritate and hurt your gums if they are already sensitive. In this case, water flossers are a better alternative as they do a good job of removing most plaque but are gentle on your gums as well.

Dental floss is inexpensive

You can buy string floss pretty much everywhere- and it’s very cheap as well. On the other hand, whereas dental floss is readily available and inexpensive, water flossers can cost between $35 for the most basic models all up to $150 for more advanced designs. Even though a water flosser is a one-time investment, it might not fit your budget at the moment.

Water flossers are better for people with braces

Oral irrigators are the most popular with people who wear braces and it’s easy to see why. Keeping oral hygiene up to standards when you have braces on is already a difficult task, and trying to wiggle a piece of string floss between brackets and wire to thoroughly and effectively clean your teeth would take ages- and might not really work as intended as the right technique can’t be applied. Water flossers, however, can help rinse any and all food particles and plaque that is left behind in between the teeth and around the brackets. Of course, it goes without saying that brushing is a must to properly clean your teeth, and cleaning interproximal space between teeth with special tiny brushes is also encouraged, in addition to water flossing.

You might want to read: Best Mouthguard for Braces

Dental floss can be used anywhere

The biggest downside to water flossers is that they are bulky, heavy, and cumbersome to carry with you when you travel. The more advanced models come with a large water canister and a range of accessories and are not as portable, but there are more compact versions that are designed mainly for travel. Still, even those portable oral irrigators are clunky- dental floss takes the win when it comes to convenience and portability.

Water flossers are good for people with dexterity issues

The main reason why string floss works so well is the technique. You need to carefully thread and guide the floss in a certain motion to scrape and slide out all the impurities. And when you have any kind of dexterity issue- that’s either impossible or too difficult to achieve. In contrast, all that water flosser requires you to do is hold a lightweight tool and direct it towards the interproximal space and the gums and let the water do the rest for you. Whether you have an injury that’s causing issues with fine motor skills or any kind of condition that affects your dexterity, an oral irrigator will be infinitely easier to use.

Best Water Flossers

Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser

Best overall water flosser

When it comes to water flossers, Waterpik is still unsurpassed in terms of quality and design- so much so that the name of the brand became synonymous with the word water flosser itself. This particular model, Aquarius, is the latest and the most popular design that features pulse-modulation technology for effective flossing function as well as a gum-massaging mode to promote healthier gums. This oral irrigator comes with 3 classic flossing tips for all members of the family, an orthodontic tip ideal for braces, a plaque seeker for implants and other dental work, a pik pocket for periodontal pockets, and a toothbrush tip.

The capacity of the reservoir is 22 ounces, which gives you roughly 90 seconds of cleaning time per reservoir. And if you want a heads up before your reservoir goes empty- don’t worry, the unit also has a one-minute timer with a 30-second pacer. The pressure range of Aquarius can be adjusted through 10 levels to suit everyone’s needs: start off with low pressure until your gums get used to it and gradually increase.

Who Should Buy This?

An all-around great and reliable performer, Waterpik Aquarius is a versatile water flosser that can be adjusted to meet anyone’s individual needs. Whether you have braces, need an oral irrigator that the whole family can use, or just want a high-quality water flosser to maintain optimal oral hygiene, this one won’t disappoint you.

Pros

• Comes with a variety of accessories for different uses
• 90 second run time
• Easy to clean
• Has the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.
• 3-year warranty

Cons

• The reservoir can start leaking after a while

Specs for comparison:

Pressure range: 10 settings (10 to 100 PSI)

Reservoir capacity: 22 oz

Included flosser tips: 7 different tips

Warranty: 3 years

check price

H2ofloss Dental Water Flosser

Best water flosser for families

If you want your whole family to experience the benefits of water flossing but don’t want to break the bank, this oral irrigator is an excellent solution. It features a generously sized reservoir (27 ounces) that won’t need to be refilled for each person, and 12 different tips you can use to suit everyone’s needs. There are four classic flossing tips that most people use so every family member can have their own, but also two tongue cleaning tips, two orthodontic tips, two periodontal tips, and two nasal tips- yes, you can use this oral irrigator to help you with a stuffy nose.

Easy to use and clean, this water flosser has a wide range of adjustability when it comes to the pressure of the water stream, so it can be fine-tuned to fit the preferences (and needs!) both adults and children. The 6 different settings make sure that you can get the most out of the flosser even if you have sensitive gums- or, on the other hand, want the flosser to replace traditional string floss.

Who Should Buy This?

Sharing is caring- and not to mention it can save you quite a few bucks. For a budget-friendly price, this water flosser offers optimal dental care for the whole family- everyone gets their own tip to use and the large reservoir makes sure you don’t have to refill every second.

Pros

• Jet flosser tips for 4 family members
• Additional tips for complete oral care
• Quiet operation
• Affordable price
• Large reservoir capacity

Cons

• Can leak at the handle

Specs for comparison:

Pressure range: 6 settings (5-110 PSI)

Reservoir capacity: 27 oZ

Included flosser tips: 12 different tips

Warranty: 2 years

check price

MOSPRO Portable Oral Irrigator

Best portable water flosser

Oral irrigators are big, clunky, and carrying them with you on travels is way too much of a hassle. If you travel often or can’t use string floss when you are away from home (e.g. you wear braces), then a practical portable water flosser such as this one is a marvelous solution. It has a removable full-opening water tank with a capacity of circa 10 ounces – so you’ll probably have to refill, but considering the advantages of the portable design, it’s a small price to pay.

Unlike standard water flossers, this compact oral irrigator is cordless and can be charged via a power adapter, car charger, external battery, or any computer with a USB port- you’ll get just the USB cable though, so you’ll have to use your existing charger(s) or purchase separately. One full charge should last you 7 to 10 days of use. Additionally, you’ll also get 4 interchangeable jet tips for classic flossing function- they are color-coded, so you can also share this handy device with your family members.

Who Should Buy This?

In case you travel often or need to always have your water flosser on hand, a lighter, compact version of oral irrigators is the choice for you. This portable cordless water flosser fits most purses and won’t take up too much of your suitcase- but it will offer almost all of the benefits a full-sized water flosser has.

Pros

• Easy to travel with
• The detachable water tank is easier to refill
• 4 color-coded tips
• Long battery lifetime
• Budget-friendly

Cons

• Small tank capacity
• No additional tips for multifunctional use

Specs for comparison:

Pressure range: 3 settings (30-100 PSI)

Reservoir capacity: 10 oZ

Included flosser tips: 4 classic jet tips

Warranty: 1 year

check price

BESTOPE Cordless Water Flosser

Best water flosser for braces

For people who wear braces, flossing can become a literal nightmare. Not only that is almost impossible to thread and use string floss while maneuvering around brackets and wires, but it also takes too long to achieve the same thing that a water flosser does in less than a minute. This particular cordless oral irrigator is especially great for braces as it is both powerful enough to give you a thorough clean and portable- so you can ensure you’ll always have clean teeth wherever you are (and with braces, it’s a huge plus). The 10-ounce container is spacious for the likes of most portable water flossers but it does mean that you’ll have to refill to ensure you properly clean your teeth. Another great thing about this cordless water flosser is that it has a better battery life than most- a single charge that lasts around 5 hours will ensure you get 30 days of use.

In addition to 2 standard jet flosser tips for general use, this portable water flosser comes with 6 more tips to make sure that you get the full-size functionality in a compact design: 2 toothbrushes, a tongue cleaner, a periodontal tip, a nasal irrigation tip, and most importantly for people who wear braces- an orthodontic tip. This accessory is designed primarily for braces as it allows you to remove plaque buildup, food particles, and bacteria that collect around the brackets and are hard to reach with a regular brush. Even better, the stream of water will efficiently rinse all the impurities without damaging your brackets or wires (which can happen if you brush too vigorously).

Who Should Buy This?

For people who wear braces, dental implants, or simply want a reliable and powerful portable water flosser, this oral irrigator will definitely exceed their expectations. With multifunctional tips, wide pressure range, and long battery life, it will thoroughly clean your teeth and braces- and you can carry it around with you to boot.

Pros

• Orthodontic tip perfect for cleaning around brackets
• Multiple tips for well-rounded oral care
• Long battery life
• Portable and cordless
• Affordable price

Cons

• Battery life weakens over time
• No warranty

Specs for comparison:

Pressure range: 5 modes (30-110psi)

Reservoir capacity: 10 oZ

Included flosser tips: 8 tips (six different designs)

Warranty:/

check price

Bottom Line

For people that are serious about their oral health and hygiene, water flossers should be a must-have item. In addition to regular string floss, they offer complete removal of all plaque buildup and ensure your gums and teeth stay healthy- without cavities and gum disease to worry about.

However, in cases where using string floss is not possible for whatever reason, water flossers represent a suitable alternative. People with braces, sensitive gums, dental implants, or dexterity issues will benefit from the effectiveness and ease of use oral irrigators offer. The directed stream of pressurized water will help ensure you maintain dental hygiene even when you can’t use dental floss.