How to Choose a Water Flosser – Buying Guide
Here are some key points to consider:
- Select the type of water flosser that works best for you.
- Check the capacity of the water tank and choose one according to your needs.
- Pick a water flosser with removable parts to make cleanups easier.
- Opt for a water flosser with different pressure settings and tips to get an overall clean.
- To keep it safe from damage, go for a water flosser with a higher waterproof rating.
- Consider the warranty to get the best value for your money.
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
1
Select the Type of Water Flosser That Works Best for You
Before you purchase a water flosser, consider your counter space. Do you have enough space on your sink to house your new gadget? If so, a countertop oral irrigator is best for you. Since it's a plug-and-use item, it delivers a powerful performance. It also has a large water tank to lessen refills, making it ideal for bigger households.
If you have limited space inside your bathroom, go for a cordless or faucet oral irrigator. You can simply store it inside your cabinet or drawer after use to save some precious counter space. It's a handy way to wash your oral problems away!
However, these two types also have a few key differences. For one, a cordless oral irrigator requires batteries, while a faucet oral irrigator does not. Also, the former has a built-in water tank, while the latter needs to be directly attached to your faucet.
Dentist
Dr. Carlo Umlas
Choosing the type of water flosser really boils down to preference and ease of use. Performance-wise, either type is effective for their intended purposes.
2
Check the Capacity of the Water Tank and Choose One According to Your Needs
From small, 30 ml water flossers to large, 600 ml ones, the water tank capacity may vary per product. But as much as possible, choose one with a larger capacity to minimize refills. A transparent water tank also makes things convenient since you can easily see if you need to refill your gadget.
Dentist
Dr. Carlo Umlas
Large families would do well to get a water flosser with a bigger tank capacity. On the other hand, lightweight flossers with small tanks are good for traveling.
3
Pick a Water Flosser With Removable Parts to Make Cleanups Easier
A water flosser with detachable parts makes cleanups easier. Since you put this gadget inside your mouth, cleaning and disinfecting your oral irrigator regularly is important.
This prevents bacteria and mold build-up, which in turn, keeps your teeth and gums healthy. At the same time, the parts must also be easy-to-assemble after you’ve cleaned your water flosser.
Dentist
Dr. Carlo Umlas
As they say, prevention is the best cure, so make sure to wipe down your flosser after each use and disassemble it at least once a week. You can put the reservoir in the dishwasher for cleaning or just use a solution of white vinegar and warm water. You can clean the tip by immersing it in an antibacterial solution like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or an antibacterial mouthwash.
4
Opt for a Water Flosser With Different Pressure Settings and Tips to Get an Overall Clean
Different pressure settings and tips give you that all-around clean, similar to the feeling that you get after your dentist appointment. Let’s take a look at these must-have qualities below.
A Water Flosser With Different Pressure Settings Can Be Used by the Whole Family
For a water flosser that can be used by the whole family, choose one with different pressure settings. The low-pressure setting is ideal for children and people who have sensitive gums and teeth,while the high-pressure setting is best at removing stubborn plaque in hard-to-reach areas.
Measured in pounds per square inch or psi, the pressure levels can vary from 5 psi to 60 psi. However, this may depend on the specific setting and brand that you get, so keep an eye on these to help you decide.
Dentist
Dr. Carlo Umlas
When you first use a water flosser, the pressure of the water might feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately, for a water flosser to be effective in removing plaque, it needs to be in a high-pressure setting. If you're a first-time user, you can start with a low setting and then gradually increase it as you get more used to it.
One With Various Tips Can Address All Your Oral Care Needs
Much like toothbrushes, each family member must have their own tip for hygienic purposes. Hence, select a water flosser that comes with 2 or more tips or one that has easy-to-find tip refills online.
Also, get an oral irrigator with different kinds of tips so that it can address your various oral care needs. Let's enumerate the most common ones below.
- Regular - provides a gentle clean for everyday use
- Orthodontic - ideal for people who have braces, brackets, and permanent retainers
- Periodontal - best at removing plaque from your periodontal pockets
- Plaque-Fighting/Restorative - effectively removes plaque from your teeth, especially for people who have crowns, bridges, and implants
- Toothbrush - helps you brush and floss at the same time
- Tongue-Cleaning - removes gunk from your tongue
- Nasal - flushes away pollutants, allergens, bacteria, and viruses from your sinus
Dentist
Dr. Carlo Umlas
Make sure that family members' water flosser tips don't touch one another in storage, as this can cause cross-contamination and transfer bacteria and germs from one tip to the other. Also, remember to replace tips every 3 to 6 months because they can get clogged with mineral deposits.
5
To Keep It Safe From Damage, Go for a Water Flosser With a Higher Waterproof Rating
When using any type of oral care product, light splashes are inevitable. Thus, select a water flosser with an IPX rating of 5 or higher. This indicates that your gadget can survive a few splatters or even an accidental dunk for a couple of seconds. Also, this means that you can use this item for a long time.
Dentist
Dr. Carlo Umlas
Some water flossers have a high enough waterproof rating to be used in the shower. However, not all brands have this, so check the rating first if you prefer using your flosser in the bath.
6
Consider the Warranty to Get the Best Value for Your Money
To help you get the best value for your money, check the warranty period of the water flosser. One with 6 months or more of warranty ensures that you’re getting the gadget in good condition. Conversely, you can ask for a replacement or refund in case it’s defective. This is a must for an item which costs a thousand pesos or more.
