To learn more about why dental hygiene is important and how to pick the best water flossers, we consulted two dentists, Renae Sweeney and Andrea Sarmento. But first, a quick distinction on Waterpiks, water flossers, and air flossers. As Sarmento explains, “There is no difference between them. Waterpiks and air flossers are both water flossers.” To this, Sweeney adds, “Waterpik is a brand of water flosser. Air floss is also a water flosser made by the brand Sonicare,” though it’s been discontinued. Call it by any name, dentists recommend water flossers to remove more bacteria-causing plaque than dental floss alone, and we think they deserve a spot in your daily routine. Keep reading to find our picks for the best water flossers of 2022. Water flossers are also often gentler on gums than dental floss, especially if you tend to floss aggressively or aren’t using the proper technique, which experts say can cause damage to delicate gingival tissues. “The con of water flossers is that they cannot clean under the gums as adequately as string floss when using a proper technique and won’t remove all the plaque from the tooth’s surface,” she says. So, it’s important that water flossing is an addition to your oral care routine, not a replacement for dental flossing and brushing. Sarmento reaffirms this, saying, “Dentists do recommend water flossers but not as a replacement to regular flossing! Water flossing does not replace regular string flossing or brushing but is a great way to remove food debris and plaque.” While everyone can benefit from a water flosser, both Sweeney and Sarmento warn that water flossing can be a little messy (hello, splash zone!) and require a little time to get used to. Our dental experts found Waterpik, Sonicare, and Oral–B to all be excellent choices. Whichever water flosser you try, just make sure you follow the usage instructions. “Using your water flosser improperly could cause adverse outcomes,” says Sweeney. The flosser’s handle has dual pressure control, making it easy to alternate between 45 and 75 PSI as you’re flossing over tender areas. It’s no secret that water flossing can be a bit messy, but this one is waterproof and can actually be used in the shower to minimize cleanup. One reviewer writes, “It’s like taking a micro pressure washer to your teeth and gums. I’m amazed at the number of particles that the Waterpik loosens and rinses away.” One common note is that you may need to fill the water once or twice per session. That said, most reviewers agree that this is a fair trade for its portability and small size. With an average 4.7-star rating over 113,000 reviews, this flosser gets a lot of love, to say the least. Most feedback sounds a lot like this particular review: “After every use, my mouth feels like it was cleaned by a dental hygienist.” Some customers say the water chamber holds enough for two floss sessions, while others say they need to refill it halfway through. What the majority of reviewers agree on, though, is that this is a powerful and effective option, that’s great if you don’t want to deal with cords and want something lightweight and portable. There is no mention of ADA approval on this water flosser, but a few experts we spoke to advised that this certification is not make or break, and the brand is also highly recognized for its traditional dental floss, which is ADA compliant. Almost 70% of reviewers gave this water flosser a perfect rating. One reviewer writes, “My teeth and gums are so happy after using this. I love that it has three different levels of pressure because some days I feel sensitive and just want a light blasting, but most days I like the medium mode. The amount of gunk that falls into the sink is frightening, even after using regular floss. This tells me that this product really does its job well!”
