A Waterpik (also known as a dental water jet) is a brand of water flosser or oral irrigator that sprays water to remove food from between your teeth. Water flossers may be a good option for people who have trouble with traditional flossing -- the kind that involves threading string-like material between your teeth.
How Does a Waterpik Work?
Like regular flossing, water flossing removes food stuck between your teeth and the bacteria lingering there before it hardens into plaque. Your toothbrush can't get into those small spaces. Water flossing can also reduce gum disease and bleeding.
How to Use a Waterpik
A water flosser doesn't replace your toothbrush or traditional flossing. You still need to brush your teeth twice a day, but you can use the water flosser before or after brushing. It's important to note, though, that studies have shown that flossing before brushing removes more plaque.
Fill your water flosser's reservoir with lukewarm water, then put the flosser tip in your mouth. Lean over the sink to avoid a mess.
Turn it on, and then it's time to clean. Hold the handle at a 90-degree angle to your teeth and spray. Water comes out in steady pulses, cleaning between your teeth.
Start at the back and work your way around your mouth. Focus on the top of your teeth, the gum line, and the spaces between each tooth. Remember to get the back of your teeth, too.
The process should take about 2 minutes. When you're done, empty any extra water from the reservoir so bacteria don't grow inside. Sharing a single Waterpik can raise the chance of spreading bacteria between users. But replacing the nozzle before sharing can lower this risk.
Water Flosser Waterpik Usage Tips
You can buy tips for your Waterpik for special uses like with braces, gum pockets, implants, tongue cleaning, and more. Here's a closer look at the different types of water flosser tips:
- Daily use tip. This tip for everyday use cleans between your teeth and under your gums to help you avoid gum disease.
- Orthodontic tip. Designed for people with braces, it helps to get rid of plaque and bacteria from around your braces and teeth.
- Plaque removal tip. It targets stubborn plaque around dental work like implants, crowns, and bridges, contacting hard-to-reach areas.
- Deep cleaning tip. This tip is for deep cleaning in periodontal pockets.
- Tongue cleaning tip. Shaped like a spoon, it removes bacteria from your tongue to keep gum disease from happening.
- Toothbrush tip. This tip allows manual toothbrushing with a water flosser attached to the handle.
- Implant denture tip. It cleans hard-to-reach areas in fixed implant bridges and dentures.
When using a water flosser for the first time, start with a lower pressure and work your way up to a comfortable setting. You should also use a few short pauses when moving from one tooth to another to allow water to flow from your mouth and into the sink.
Waterpik vs. Flossing
The American Dental Association says water flossers with the ADA Seal of Acceptance can get rid of plaque. That's the film that turns into tartar and leads to cavities and gum disease. Scientific studies are mixed on whether water flossers remove plaque as well as traditional floss. Some studies find they don't, but the results of one study showed that a water flosser works just as well as regular floss in removing plaque between teeth after one use.
Don't throw away your traditional dental floss just to try something new. Most dentists still consider regular flossing the best way to clean between your teeth. The old-fashioned stuff lets you scrape up and down the sides of your teeth to remove plaque. If it gets stuck in small spaces, try waxed floss or dental tape. Flossing might be uncomfortable at first if you're not in the habit, but it should get easier.
Consider a water flosser if you have trouble using dental floss. If you have braces or dental work like permanent or fixed bridges, a water flosser might be helpful. They can be good for people with periodontal disease or with extremely dry mouths. The massaging action of a water flosser can also improve your gum health by reducing bleeding and making them a little bit stronger. Also, it's easy for water flossers to reach the hidden parts of your teeth, where string flossers can’t reach easily.
You also might want to try one if you have arthritis or other problems using your hands. Kids or teens with braces sometimes find water flossing easier than traditional flossing. Ask your dentist if it's a good idea to switch to a water flosser or add it to your routine.
Water flossing has several advantages with only a few drawbacks:
Pros of water flossing
- Simple and user-friendly
- Easy on gums
- Soothes gums
- Reaches tricky spots in your mouth
- Specialized tips
Cons of water flossing
- May be costly
- Needs charging
- Some models are bulky
- May not work as well as traditional floss
Here are the pros and cons of string floss:
Pros of string floss
- When used correctly, string floss is safe and works well
- Cleans tight spaces between teeth
- Inexpensive
- Other easier-to-use options, such as floss picks
Con of string floss
- Requires a specific technique to avoid hurting your gums
How to Clean a Waterpik
Here's a look at the steps to clean your water flosser:
1. Clean the outside.
Wipe the unit with a soft cloth and mild cleanser.
2. Clean the reservoir.
- Separate the water reservoir from the unit.
- For some models, remove the black reservoir valve and rinse it in warm water.
- Wash the water reservoir in the top rack of your dishwasher (air dry preferred) or hand wash it in warm, soapy water.
3. Clean internal parts.
- Mix a vinegar and water solution.
- Run the solution through the unit until the reservoir empties.
- Rinse with clean warm water.
4. Clean the handle (countertop models).
- Remove the tip.
- Soak the handle in a vinegar and water solution for 5-7 minutes.
- Rinse the handle with warm water.
5. Clean the flosser tip.
- Remove the tip.
- Soak the tip in a water and vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solution for 5 minutes.
- Rinse the tip with warm water.
- Replace the tip every 3 to 6 months.
Takeaways
A Waterpik, or water flosser, is a device that sprays water to clean between your teeth. It can be a good substitute for traditional flossing, especially for those who find flossing hard. While it may not work as well as flossing in all cases, a Waterpik can still remove plaque and reduce gum disease. If you have braces, dental implants, or other dental work, a Waterpik may be especially helpful for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. Talk to your dentist about whether a Waterpik is a good addition to your oral care routine.
