Are you wondering what’s the best water flosser to buy? With so many different water flossers to choose from, knowing which to select can be tricky. And, do you even need a water flosser; are they worth the investment?
If there is one thing dentists are always going on about, it’s the importance of flossing your teeth and the crucial role it plays in dental care. Cleaning between the teeth effectively reduces bacteria in the mouth and removes food and plaque build-up. It can even help reduce gum disease and tooth decay.
If you floss your teeth regularly as you should, you need to have the correct type of flosser, or you run the risk of doing more harm than good to teeth, gums and any existing dental work.
While dental floss is many people’s go-to product, it isn’t always the best option, especially if their teeth and gums are sensitive. This is where water flossers come in. Water flossing is far gentler on gums and generally easier to use than string floss. Most people find them fun to use, which may explain why they’ve become so popular of late.
So, what is the best water flosser?
There are many mouth-loving gadgets on the market, each with a different design and features, so we understand your dilemma. Before jumping into our pick of the best water flossers, let’s look at the factors we considered when making our choice.
While water flossing is straightforward and simply involves blasting a jet of water into your mouth, it’s not an easy task to weigh up the pros and cons of the various water flossers.
When it comes to water flossers, most Aussies are concerned about the size of the water tank and battery life. The larger the tank, the fewer times you will find yourself having to refill it. And the better the battery life, the less chance there is of it running out of power when you’re mid-floss.
Other points to consider include:
Corded vs cordless
There’s no need to worry about battery life when you opt for a corded water flosser. But since they are relatively bulky items, you need to ensure there’s plenty of space on your bathroom sink. A cordless flosser is a more convenient option, especially if you travel a lot, but the payoff is battery concerns.
Personalised settings
Having checked out countless reviews, the best water flossing results seem to come from water flossers with plenty of options for personalisation. These include a choice of water pressure, power levels, and speed, all of which could ultimately affect the water flosser that’s the best fit for you. If you have sensitive teeth, for instance, powerful settings could be painful.
Interchangeable jet tips
Water flossing is more manageable when there is a choice of jet tips allowing the water to spurt differently into your mouth to meet your dental needs. For instance, some jets have brushes on the end that are handy for brushing around braces. Others direct a fine stream of water for precision, should you need to blast away food particles that are stubbornly lodged between your teeth. It’s usually the more expensive water flossers that include a range of jet tips.
A timer
The best water flosser for you may be one that includes a timer to ensure you spend the recommended 60 seconds water flossing. A quad or pace timer that alerts you at 15 or 30 seconds is even handier to ensure total mouth coverage.
Reliability
Then there’s the question of reliability. How long is your water flosser likely to last? To help you gauge the performance and reliability of many types of water flosser, we recommend heading over to https://www.productreview.com.au/, where you can find plenty of hands-on reviews.
Price
Depending on the brand and the feature set, you can pay under $50 to over $200 for a water flosser. That said, no matter the price, most water flossers do a similar job. The main difference with a more expensive model is that it’s likely to be better made and last longer.
So, what’s the best water flosser for me?
Ultimately, that’s your call. Thankfully, we’ve done the legwork, so you don’t have to. Here’s our pick of the best five water flossers you can buy.
Best for most
Philips Sonicare AirFloss Ultra
If you’re ready to get on board with water flossing but not quite sure where to start, the Sonicare AirFloss Ultra from Philips is a crowd-pleaser from a trusted household name. This cordless water flosser should suit most people and is compact and easy to use. With a 2-week rechargeable battery life and 3 modes for your preference, it’s a great alternative to the hassle of dental floss.
It also uses micro-drop technology that delivers bursts of water and air to remove plaque from around the teeth and gums. You may also like that you can choose from pink, white or black.
Pros
- Size – less bulky than countertop water flossers
- The back reservoir is easy to fill
- Being cordless makes it suitable for smaller bathrooms
- Rechargeable battery
Cons
- Price – At around $190, it’s at the higher end of the market, but this could outweigh the cost of poor dental hygiene in the long run.
Best water flosser for braces
Waterpik Ultra Professional Water Flosser
If you’re into water flossing big time, Waterpik’s Ultra Professional Water Flosser will fit effortlessly into your oral routine. We reckon it’s the best water flosser for braces and other specialised dental work, boasting ten-speed settings and various speciality tips.
Pros
- 3 classic jet tips and a toothbrush tip enable you to brush while you floss
- Plaque seeker tip for crowns and implants, orthodontic tip for braces, and a ‘pik pocket’ tip for periodontal pockets
- Built-in tip storage
- 600ml reservoir
- Massage mode
- 1-minute timer
Cons
- Bulkier than cordless water flossers
- At $212, it is towards the top end of the market
- It takes up space on your countertop
- Some people have complained about the quality of the water tank
Best budget water flosser
RENPHO cordless water flosser
If you’re curious to give water flossing a go but not ready to commit fully, then the RENPHO cordless water flosser could be just what you’re looking for, and at just under $50, it won’t break the bank.
Pros
- 4 different modes: soft, normal, pulse and DIY
- 30-120 psi water pressure
- Supplied with USB charging cable
- RENPGO offers a full refund within a year if you’re not satisfied
- Detachable tank with a quick-fill option
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- A bit bulky
Best entry-level water flosser
Colgate Blast Cordless
When you’re looking for a no-nonsense machine for everyday water flossing, then why not consider Colgate’s Blast Cordless. It comes with 2 standard nozzles and a USB charging cord and boasts a pretty impressive 4 week’s battery life on a full charge. However, the 60-second water reservoir is disappointingly small and means you will need to fill it before every use. But if you want a starter-level water flosser from a reputable brand, then this may be the best water flosser for you.
Pros
- 3 pressure modes – gentle, regular, and pulse
- Long battery life
Cons
- At $180, we feel the price is a little steep for a water flosser with basic entry-level features
Waterpik’s cordless cousin
Waterpik Cordless Select
While the Waterpik Ultra Professional Water Flosser is one of our top-rated water flossers, we felt we had to mention the Waterpik Cordless Select. Boasting the same high-quality design as the former, it also boasts a range of other smart features that many of the other cordless units lack. For starters, it’s quicker to re-juice thanks to a magnetic USB charging system that gets it up and running in four hours. The water flosser is also extremely quiet, which is ideal if you’re sharing an en-suite bathroom. In addition, the Cordless Select is waterproof, allowing you to use it in the shower if you wish. All of this, for a cost of $184.95.
Pros
- Cordless and compact
- Supplied with multiple attachments
- Effectively removes debris
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Small reservoir
- No travel bag
- Quite bulky, so can slip out of wet hands
- Lacks some of the grip found on other water flossers
The bottom line
Knowing you should floss is one thing, but actually doing it is another. The great news is you do have another option. Water flossing takes the tedium out of your oral hygiene routine and provides a quicker fun way to floss that seems less hands-on. Water flossers can navigate their way around braces and into those hard to access areas at the back of the mouth.
Ultimately, the best water flosser is likely to be determined by your budget and dental condition. Hopefully, this article has helped you decide what matters the most to you and what features you need a water flosser to have.
Meanwhile, if it’s been a while since you had a dental check-up and clean, remember it’s never too late to get your oral health back on track. Our friendly, experienced dentists are keen to welcome you to Dental 266, and together, we can help you achieve your best smile.
Why not call Dental 266 on (02) 9051 0600 to schedule a consultation or use our online booking service.