Water Flosser Buyer’s Guide
Water flossers are designed to effectively remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles from your teeth. They use water pressure and pulsations to reduce gingival bleeding and keep your mouth, gums & teeth clean. Like a gentle power washer for your mouth, the best water flosser leaves your teeth with that super-clean, just-left-the-dentist-feeling. While anyone who wants to go the extra mile with oral care can benefit from using a water flosser, people with braces and dental implants may find them especially useful.
Water flossers are gentler on your teeth and gums compared to string floss. This will reduce bleeding gums or pain. This makes them a great choice for people who wear braces or retainers or have other dental concerns. They are also suitable for people who find it difficult to use string floss. Young people will likely do a better cleaning with a water flosser than string floss.
Water flossers typically offer easy handling, multiple pressure settings, and convenient storage, making them an excellent addition to your oral care routine.
We will highlight some key features that you need to take into consideration when buying a water flosser. We will list some things you will want to look at when choosing which type of water flosser is best suited to your needs.
Some things to consider
What power source works best for your needs?
There are 2 main types of water flossers – cordless and corded electric. Both types of water flossers are quite different and have their pros and cons. Consider the differences below to decide which one is best suited to your specific requirements.
- Cordless Water Flosser: A cordless water flosser features either a rechargeable or single-use battery with a battery life of anywhere between 8 hours and 3 months, depending on the model. Cordless water flossers do not require a socket outlet because they do not need to be plugged in. They are also compact and easy to carry around, making them a convenient choice while traveling or using at work. Some even use them in the shower. On the flip side, cordless water flossers may be a little heavy and difficult to maneuver because the handle typically contains the water reservoir. They also offer lower water pressure as compared to their corded counterparts. If you have braces, cordless enables you to thoroughly clean food from them after eating. Priceless!!
- Corded Water Flosser: A corded water flosser is a good choice for home use. One could be used for the entire family because it includes numerous tips for different requirements and enhanced hygiene. The biggest advantage of a corded water flosser is that it offers high water pressure for powerful cleaning. Corded water flossers typically have convenient handles, multiple pressure settings, and a large water reservoir. However, since corded water flossers need to be plugged into a socket outlet to work, they may not be suitable for travel or out of the home meals.
What range of settings are on the water flosser?
How many settings a water flosser has depends on the type and model you choose. Cordless water flossers typically feature 2 or 3 pressure settings ranging from 45 to 75 PSI. On the other hand, corded water flossers offer around 6 to 10 pressure settings from 10 to 100 PSI.
Since they offer more pressure settings, corded water flossers make a great choice for the entire family. A lower setting is best suited for beginners, children, and people with sensitive teeth. A medium-pressure setting is perfect for most teenagers and adults and a high-pressure setting is recommended for experienced users.
So depending on your age, experience, and dental health, you can choose a pressure setting that will be most safe and comfortable.
What is the pressure flow?
The pressure of a water flosser is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). The most common pressure readings of a water flosser are 45 to 75 PSI, 10 to 100 PSI, 25 to 120 PSI, 30 to 110 PSI, and 30 to 125 PSI – a higher PSI indicates a higher water pressure that comes through the nozzle.
Most corded water flossers have higher water pressure as compared to cordless models, which is why they offer more thorough and efficient cleaning for your teeth. That said, being able to clean your teeth (especially with braces) anywhere has its own set of advantages.
Water flossers also feature multiple pressure settings to cater to different age groups and dental issues, so you can easily adjust the pressure according to your needs and preference.
What is the reservoir capacity?
Water flossers feature reservoirs of various sizes, starting from 6.8 oz ones and going up to ones with a 22 oz capacity. They also feature different designs depending on the type of water flosser you have. Some reservoirs feature a removable, dishwasher-safe design, while others have a convenient leak-proof design.
Most corded water flossers have a bigger reservoir as compared to cordless ones. A small 6.8 or 7 oz water reservoir typically offers a floss time of 45 seconds, whereas a larger 20 or 20.3 oz one can provide up to 90 seconds of use without needing to be refilled.
What accessories does the flosser include?
Water flossers come with multiple tips that can be used for various purposes. Corded water flossers typically include more tips as compared to cordless water flossers.
Most cordless water flossers come with either 2 to 4 tips which usually include standard nozzles for general cleaning, a tongue scraper to remove bacteria build-up and freshen your breath, and an orthodontic tip that effectively removes food particles stuck between teeth or braces.
On the other hand, corded water flossers usually have 4 to as many as 8 tips which also include standard nozzle tips, a tongue scraper, and an orthodontic tip. In addition to these, they may also usually include a periodontal tip, a toothbrush tip, a dental plaque tip, and a pocket tip for a complete and thorough dental cleaning experience.
Water flosser vs. string floss – which one is better?
While both water flossers and string floss are effective at removing plaque and bacteria, which one is better comes down to your dental health and personal preference. A water flosser uses a steady stream of water to remove plaque and food particles from teeth. On the other hand, string floss has a thin, string-like material that can be inserted into tight spaces between teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach. String floss may cause bleeding, so if you have braces or other dental problems, a water flosser might be a better option for you.
What are some disadvantages of a water flosser?
While there are many benefits to using a water flosser, there are also some disadvantages.
- A water flosser is more expensive as compared to string floss and may not fit everyone’s budget.
- It may not effectively remove built on plaque from the surface of your teeth. Built up plaque may require a full teeth cleaning.
- A water flosser can be a bit messy until you get used to using it. Water may spray around when you first use a water flosser, but you should be able to quickly learn how to use it properly.
- If you have inflamed gums, they might hurt when you first use a water flosser, so it is recommended that you start with a lower pressure setting.
How often should you replace the tips of a water flosser?
It is recommended that you replace the tips of a water flosser every 3 to 6 months to ensure smooth functioning and maximum effectiveness. Changing the tips of a water flosser regularly also helps maintain proper hygiene. The tips of a water flosser tend to get clogged over time due to mineral deposits and stop working. Using filtered, distilled or RO water will extend the life of your tips by lessening any build up. However, when tips stop working properly, you will need to replace them.
