Best Water Flossers for Oral Health

The notion of water flossing is one that swirled around me for years—most loudly touted by my sister who is self-admittedly lazy with string flossing. But oral irrigators (as they are also known) weren’t a part of my family’s teeth-cleaning regimen until my 11-year-old got her braces.

After she was outfitted with her bright turquoise braces, we were sent home with a care packet and a recommendation from the dentist to get a water flosser to help her keep her teeth clean with all this new hardware in her mouth—and so our deep dive into water flossing began.

I have found amongst friends and family that people that love their water flossers really love them and are #TeamWaterFlosser all the way citing the way using oral irrigators leaves your mouth feeling just so darn clean. “It feels like I power washed my teeth!” raves my sister.

“Studies have shown that irrigating (or water flossing) helps improve gingivitis,” says Amber Lovatos, RDH, BSDH, a dental hygienist from Houston, Texas. She finds that in addition to people trying to combat gum disease (such as those who live with diabetes or other immunocompromising conditions that make them more susceptible to gum disease), water flossers can also be helpful for those with dexterity issues, braces, dental implants, and what she calls “poor flossing compliance” (i.e. people who don’t love or forget to string floss).

“I generally recommend oral irrigators as an adjunct to flossing and interdental brushes and not as a replacement for the mechanical removal of plaque,” Lovatos adds.

“Keeping your mouth clean has a direct link to your overall health,” reminds Dr. Ruchi Sahota, DDS, and consumer advisor for the ADA. In addition to brushing twice a day, she recommends flossing between teeth once a day, eating a nutritious diet, using fluoridated toothpaste, drinking water, and seeing your dentist regularly.

“Of course, you can use other interdental tools to keep your mouth clean,” she adds, “but whatever you use, always check in with your dentist regularly to make sure you are using them safely and effectively.”

Our top picks for the best water flosser

Why use a water flosser?

“Floss is boss, but water is better,” says Dr. Marcantel. “It’s almost like light pressure washing for your teeth and gums, which increases blood flow to the gums and helps reduce inflammation. Everyone’s familiar with those therapeutic shower heads that massage; it’s the same concept,” she adds.

Usage tips and techniques

For those new to water flossers, Lovato recommends starting on the lowest pressure setting.

Other tips include:

• Don’t turn on the water until the flosser is in your mouth or it will spray everywhere.
• Don’t use cold (or hot) water, especially if you have sensitive teeth; lukewarm is ideal.
• Water floss over the sink or the shower and allow the water to flow out of your mouth (it can get messy).
• Aim the tip at the gum line starting from the back teeth and move forward.
• Water floss the front (cheek side) and back (tongue side) of your teeth.
• Pause between teeth to allow the water to flow in between the teeth.

Both my sister and Dr. Marcantel suggest adding Listerine to your water flossing routine for next-level cleaning. My sister adds it to her mouth while Dr. Marcantel adds some to her flosser reservoir. Lovatos suggests checking with the product manufacturer first but generally says, “Yes you can use a diluted amount (one to one) of mouth rinse and water. You will want to run water through your water flosser afterward.”

How we selected the best water flosser

I interviewed dentists, hygienists, experts from the American Dental Association, as well as polled friends, family, and colleagues for tips and advice. In addition, I tested multiple products, offered my own first-hand experience, and scoured customer reviews to find the best water flossers for you.

What to consider when buying a water flosser

How you will use it

“The best product is the product you will use.” says Lovatos. “So if you think you will be more compliant with water flossing in the shower, you'll need a waterproof one. If you are frequently traveling, you’ll want a compact one that can travel with you. If you prefer a device that has multiple tips and power modes, you likely would benefit from one that is a bit ‘heavy-duty’ that sits on your counter,” says Lovato. In short, look for something that fits you and your lifestyle.

Cordless vs countertop

Many water flossers are handheld and either powered by batteries or a charger. What are called “tank flossers” sit on your countertop, plug into an outlet offering more power in terms of intensity and setting options, and come with a larger reservoir from which your “wand” or flosser extends. “I prefer corded versus portable,” says Dr. Esmeralda Diaz Marcantel, a Florida-based DDS. “They have more power, and for me, the larger reservoir equals to more time flossing which hopefully equals to better results,” she says.

The drawback to the countertop versions is that they take up more visible space but offer more ease because you don't have to refill your flosser every time. Depending on your bathroom set up and what you need from your irrigator will help you decide which is best for you.

Settings level

“Look for a device that offers several intensity settings, so you can have the most comfortable flossing experience.” says Dr. Victoria Veytsman, DDS, who has practices in Los Angeles and New York City. “Remember your mouth is delicate,” adds Dr. Sahota, “so don’t put it to the highest settings or you might traumatize the red tissues in your mouth.”

ADA Seal of Acceptance

Sarhota recommends visiting the ADA website to check your product for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. To help consumers, and dental professionals, choose and recommend dental products that are safe and effective, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs launched the first Seal of Acceptance in 1931. To be granted a Seal, a product must include data from clinical and/or laboratory studies that demonstrate safety and efficacy in accordance with requirements developed by the ADA. If a product meets the requirements, they are awarded the ADA Seal of Acceptance for five years.“You know you can trust these products,” says Dr. Sahota, “and know it will do what it says it will do.”

Budget

Water flossers can range in price from about $20 to around $150. As you’ll see below, you can find many well-rated, affordable options, but they might not all come with the ADA Seal of Acceptance or a warranty, so do your homework.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which dental water flosser is best?

​​”Normally, I’d dive into the pros and cons to each type and brand, but I’ll pause here and share my thoughts as a clinician: it doesn’t matter. I want everyone to do it so I won’t preclude any readers from water flossing with my bias! Just try one, give it an honest shot for one week and see whatcha think! I would say anything between $30 to $100 is a good option,” says Dr. Marcantel.

Do dentists recommend water flossers?

“As a dentist, I recommend water flossing but let me be clear: as an adjunct. You can’t beat the mechanical debridement of plaque with traditional floss. So while I’m a big fan of my water wand, it’s always after my traditional floss,” says Dr. Marcantel.

What is the difference between a Waterpik and a water flosser?

“Water flosser, power flosser, and oral irrigator are synonymous names for interdental cleaners, while Waterpik is a brand name,” says Cindy Sensabaugh, RDH, a registered dental hygienist.

Do water flossers really work?

“Yes,” says Dr. Veytsmann. “Power flossers are often more effective at removing bacteria than string floss because they can hyper-target even the smallest of crevices between the teeth and gum line for a more thorough clean.”

How do water flossers work?

“These products typically pull water from a reservoir and dispense it through a tip at a rapid rate to remove debris and bacteria between teeth and the gumline,” says Sensabaugh. “The plaque in your mouth has bacteria that causes inflammation: gum irritation, bleeding, and swelling. To reduce that inflammation, we need to remove that plaque. Water flossers help by removing plaque and thus reducing inflammation,” adds Lovato.