Are you wearing braces or traditional flossing just isn’t for you? If that;s the case, you should try a water flosser. Check out Counting Sheep’s top picks for the best water flossers currently sold on the market
Dentists often tell you to floss, but as much as you floss, you can’t be sure if you’re doing it correctly. Many of us don’t even floss regularly, and when we do, our gums bleed sometimes, and we can’t figure out why. The best solution to that is using water flossers that provide a faster, simpler, and pain-free experience. By using pressurized water, they provide detailed cleaning along the gum line and between teeth. If you have troubles with cleaning your mouth or just want to be detailed about your oral care, water flossers will help with the cleanliness of your mouth. Since there are many brands available on the market, we have put together a list of our top choices for best water flossers and a buying guide that will help you with your purchase.
Features:
The Panasonic Portable Water Flosser is our choice best portable model that is suitable for people who travel often or simply want an easy way to floss on the go. Since it runs on AA batteries, and it is cordless, it can easily fit in any purse, suitcase, gym bag, or backpack. With a 5.5-ounce reservoir, you can get forty seconds of flossing, without losing that clean feeling you get while at home. Additionally, it has a lower-speed pulse that is suitable for children and people who have sensitive gums, and a high-speed pulse for adults to do their everyday cleaning. This portable model is 100% waterproof, which means it is easily cleaned with water.
Features:
In 1962, Waterpick made its first water flosser, and since then it has been a leader in this industry. Their most advanced model is the Waterpik Aquarius Professional that offers ten pressure settings and two modes: floss mode and hydro-pulse massage mode. It also has seven tips included, with several ones that are specialized for braces, implants and other dental work. Additionally, it has a one-minute timer, thirty seconds pacer, and more than ninety seconds of reservoir capacity.
Features:
The H2ofloss Water Flosser is our best value model because it is more affordable than most models on the market. This countertop model is very quiet, and it also allows you to accommodate the pressure by adjusting the sliding bar that is on the handle. The 800 mL reservoir is enough for 150 seconds of cleaning. It comes with twelve tips for different kind of uses – periodontal, tongue, orthodontic, and nasal tips. Not to mention that it is 100% waterproof, which allows easy cleaning under running water.
Features:
The Philips Sonicare is well known for their electric toothbrushes, but their AirFloss Rechargeable water flossers is among the most popular water flossers. It is beneficial, even though it doesn’t have many features as the other models. Since the reservoir is located in the handle, it has a smaller profile, allowing it to store enough water or mouthwash for thirty seconds of cleaning. WIth the nozzle, it can blast water by using air, which means it needs less water than other models. On a single charge, the AirFloss Rechargeable can last for three weeks, and every six months you need to replace the nozzle on it.
Oral hygiene is extremely important for our overall health. Flossing is one of the necessary steps to make sure the interdental cavities are clean of the food remains which cause further problems with germs and bacteria. Toothbrushes cannot reach the small areas between our teeth, so flossers are very helpful. The lack of flossing can lead to gum diseases because the gums are prone to inflammation as a consequence of excessive plaque, which builds up around our teeth. Gum diseases then lead to other illnesses like cardiovascular diseases, bacterial infections, and even diabetes. Also, gum disease causes sleeping problems due to various reasons, among which the pain it triggers, thus interrupting the most important tool our body has to recover from the daily exhaustion and stress we are exposed to.
Furthermore, flossing as a routine procedure helps us bring routine care into other aspects of our sleeping habits, such as going to bed at the right time of the night.
Water flossers are easier to use than regular flosses, especially if you suffer from limited hand mobility.
Water flossers come in a variety of models and with various features, out of which we have to choose the ones we really need because additional features cost more. You can choose from the basic models to the ones customized to respond to various demands.
The usual features are specialized tips, timers, pressure controls, and rotating heads.
Flossers can come with only one tip, which is sufficient for one user, but if you have a family to share it with, you will need more tips and storage to keep them in. Also, tips can be customized to clean braces, so this is a matter to think about before buying for those who wear them.
Timers are convenient features as there is a recommended time for the flossing to be efficient, which we tend to forget.
Pressure control is also important since we all react differently to pressure, and being able to adjust the power of pressure enables us to find our best option. This is particularly useful for people with sensitive gums or children. Plus, if we use our water flosser regularly, we will probably increase the power of pressure in time, as we get used to it. Interdental areas which are hard to reach can be cleaned with another feature this item offers – rotating head.
There are mainly two types of water flossers to choose from – countertops or portables. There are also models that are connected directly to the tap, but they are less effective, so we will concentrate on the two previously mentioned models. Let us try to ease your choice by indicating the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Countertops are connected to AC power sources, so it needs to be available for this model to work. They offer more pressure, as they have better pressure controls. They also have larger water reservoirs which enable you longer flossing, and you can finish it without having to refill it in the middle of flossing activity. Being a larger device, it usually offers more features, however, it is also louder and harder to store, as it requires more space. It usually comes with additional storage to put the extra tips in, which is practical, but you still need to find suitable space for it. So, the ones with small bathrooms should bear that in mind.
Portable versions are powered by batteries, so we need to remember to buy them regularly. They are small and suitable for home use and travel. That also makes them quieter and simpler to use. Nevertheless, it also means they are less powerful. They also come with smaller water reservoirs, so they usually need to be refilled during flossing which can be bothersome.
So, all things considered, even though the priority should always be the final effect, it all comes down to considering your living conditions and current circumstances.
Cleaning is obviously very important since water flossers are meant to keep our mouth clean. The easiest models to clean would be the ones which are waterproof because they can simply be washed under running water. Some models can even be washed in a dishwasher, which is also practical. There are countertop models that are directly connected to the power source in the wall, but there are also rechargeable ones free of cords which are easier to clean. Those models which are connected directly to the plug are cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions, so you need to check the manual to make sure you are doing it properly. In that respect, portable models are less difficult to maintain, as they are free of cords.
The pricing of water flossers ranges from $20 to $150, depending on the model. As the number of features increases, so does the price. This is where you need to be precise about your needs, because there may be features you will be paying for without actually needing them. For example, if you do not wear braces, you will need regular tips, not the ones specialized for braces. That will lower the price of your water flosser. On the other hand, if you do wear braces, perhaps it is worthwhile to pay a little more to make sure you are doing the right thing for your oral hygiene. Also, if you are a beginner in flossing, you will probably need multiple pressure options, as you will start with the lower pressure and gradually increase it as you get used to the flosser. If you are a veteran in this field, you can opt for one pressure level.
Perhaps it may be prudent to opt for a portable model at first, until you make sure you are experienced enough to move to the next level, as you will save money at the first stage of trying what works for you. Later, if you decide to buy a countertop model with more features, you can keep your portable water flosser for travel.
Warranty is usually limited to a two-year period, so you should replace your product if you experience any defects or malfunctions during this time. The warranty obviously does not cover breakages or physical damages from improper use. Some producers extend their warranties to more extended periods, so this can also be a point to think about.
A favorable option is a return policy, as it will enable you to return the product with the money-back guarantee if you do not find the product satisfactory. It usually lasts for 30 days, so check the producers’ return policy options before making up your mind.
Michael is a professional writer based in Boston and someone who has always been fascinated with the mysteries of sleep. When he’s not reading about new sleep studies and working on our news section, you can find him playing video games or visiting local comic book stores.
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