A water flosser, also known as an oral irrigator, is a handheld oral care device that directs a stream of water between your teeth and gums, removing food debris, plaque and bacteria. Combined with daily flossing, a water flosser or water pik, enhances your daily oral care routine.
Should I Use a Water Flosser?
Water flossing should never be used as a substitute for regular brushing and flossing, but it is a great supplement to your daily routine. There are also instances where a water flosser may be an effective tool for you:
Bleeding Gums - There are a few common reasons why your gums would bleed. The first is gum disease. Gum disease starts with bleeding gums (gingivitis) and if left untreated, it progresses to or periodontitis, is a bacterial infection in your gums and jawbone that could lead to tooth loss. Flossing too hard can also cause bleeding gums. Water flossers can be a great way to clean problem areas without the pain caused by regular string flossing. You may even want to use an Oral-B water flosser set on the sensitive mode before flossing to gently remove as much food as possible.
You Have Braces - Food tends to get stuck behind brackets and underneath wires when you have braces. Water flossers are great for reaching those tough areas where food particles hide. Plaque around brackets can cause multiple dental problems, including gum disease if left untreated.
You Have Dry Mouth - Saliva naturally cleans your mouth and prevents sticky plaque buildup. However, certain medications and genetics can keep some people from producing enough saliva. That could lead to gum disease and cavities. A water flosser easily adds moisture to a dry mouth and removes sticky plaque.
Food Always Gets Stuck in Your Teeth - Some people are more susceptible to getting food stuck in their teeth than others. It could be due to the shape of your teeth, or that they’re not perfectly aligned. Food can also get stuck around dental work like bridges and dental implants. Oral-B water flossers are the perfect tool to clean problem areas for people more prone to get food stuck in their teeth, whether from genetics, bridges, or implants.
Water Flosser Benefits
Exceptional water flossers, like those in the Oral-B lineup, feature multiple modes—even one for sensitive gums—that are perfect if gum sensitivity is a problem for you. They’re also a gentle yet effective way to clean crowns, braces, bridges, and dental implants.
Another challenge with daily flossing is that many people have a difficult time doing it properly. Most just put the floss between their teeth instead of making the recommended C-shape with the floss to insure it properly contacts all surfaces of the teeth. Plus, improper teeth flossing can even cause gum tissue damage if done improperly. Water flossers are less technique-sensitive than string flossing, and don't require you to put your hands in your mouth or deal with used string floss. With less technique and pain involved, many people have more incentive to include flossing to their daily routine.
What are the Different Types of Water Flossers
While there are many types of water flossers all feature a reservoir to hold the water, an electric motor to power the pump, and a special nozzle. The motor and pump cause a stream of pressurized water to flow from the reservoir, through the nozzle, and between teeth, to remove plaque food particles and bacteria.
Type - There are generally four different types of water flossers: countertop, cordless or battery operated, shower flosser, and faucet flosser.
Countertop Water Flosser - Heaviest and bulkiest of the four types. It sits on your countertop and plugs into a nearby electrical socket. They also come with an irrigation tank that you have to refill whenever it runs out of water.
Cordless or Battery-Operated Water Flosser - Typically slim, small, and portable. This type provides the most flexibility and is Ideal for travelers. They may not be as powerful as countertop water flossers, however.
Shower Flosser - Attaches to your shower head so you can floss after (or before) you’ve showered. You don’t need electricity or batteries, and don’t have to worry about refills, but they’re generally more difficult to maneuver.
Faucet Flosser - The most common type of water flossers, similar to shower flossers, but with a cord that attaches to the water basins instead of your shower head. Like shower flosser models, the drawback is maneuverability.
Pressure Settings - Most top-rated water flossers have adjustable pressure capability, perfect for those with sensitive gums, implants or braces. A pulsating water setting is particularly effective at loosening tough-to-reach food particles.
Size - A compact and cordless design allows for greater maneuverability.
What Makes the Oral-B Water Flosser Different?
The unique features of the Oral-B AquaCare Cordless Irrigator is what separates it from other oral irrigators. It features the latest in gum care Oxyjet Technology with water-enriched, microbubbles of air—to help target and help eliminate plaque bacteria for cleaner teeth and healthier gums.
Additional features of the Oral-B AquaCare Cordless Irrigator include:
More Control, Less Mess: The On-Demand mode provides greater control over the water stream allowing you to release water only when you need it for an easier, less messy experience.
Custom Settings for a Personalized Clean: Customize with three unique cleaning streams including Multi-Jet for an all-around clean, Focused for targeted cleaning, and Rotational to massage the gums.
Cleaning Pressure that’s Just Right: Choose from Intense, Medium, or Sensitive Intensity Modes for a clean that’s most comfortable for you.
Cordless for Easy Handling: Its cordless, single-body premium design allows for ease of use and portability.
Includes 2 Replacement Nozzles: Each Water Flosser Advanced Rechargeable handle comes equipped with two different nozzles: 1 AquaFloss and 1 Precision Jet for an even more personalized clean.
Perfect for Dental Work: Easily and effectively removes trapped food and reduces plaque buildup from brackets and wires.
Expertly Designed to Work with Your Complete Oral Care Routine
The Oral-B AquaCare Cordless Irrigator is dentist-inspired to deep clean and detoxify below the gumline* for healthier gums, but it is not a substitute for a thorough, daily oral hygiene regiment.
Brush at least twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, consider switching to the Oral-B iO electric toothbrush for a professional clean feeling every day.
Pair regular strong floss like the Oral-B Pro-Expert Premium Dental Floss with the Oral-B AquaCare water flosser for a more complete, whole-mouth clean.
Swish with an oral rinse like one from the Oral-B Professional Protection Mouthwash lineup for a more complete clean.
Visit your dentist or dental hygienist every six months for professional cleanings and checkups.
*Helps reduce plaque bacteria and inflammatory components associated with gingivitis, when used as an adjunct to brushing, flossing and regular professional care. †Based on surveys conducted between November 2018 and June 2020 and confirmed to be statistically significant at a 95% confidence level by Radius Illumination, September 25, 2020.