Flossing should be part of every dental routine, but many of us overlook or even actively avoid it. Some don't like the feel of dental floss or tape between their teeth, or the bulk makes the whole process uncomfortable. If you don't have a good routine, it can be difficult to get into tight spaces or back molars. The best oral irrigators put an end to all that frustration, often in a fraction of the time it takes to floss.
How do you work? In most cases, they shoot a jet of pressurized water around the gum line and into the spaces between the teeth. This will remove food particles left behind after brushing your teeth and remove plaque. They're especially good in areas of the mouth where you may have trouble flossing and can also help with cleaning around bridges, braces and false crowns.
There is some controversy as to whether or not using an oral irrigator is an effective substitute for regular flossing. Manufacturers like Waterpik will tell you that clinical studies have shown that flossing can be just as effective at cleaning between teeth and even more effective at fighting gingivitis (the most common form of gum disease) and plaque.
However, some dentists believe that standard floss cleans better between teeth and prevents tartar build-up, so you may not want to do without it entirely.
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The best oral irrigator - at a glance
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How to choose the best oral irrigator for you
All oral irrigators try to do more or less the same job, which means your choice will depend on how much you're willing to spend and whether additional features are worth paying more for. Things to consider are intensity settings, pulse patterns, and whether additional spikes are provided beyond the base nozzle. These can help you navigate between crowded teeth or clean around braces or bridges.
Also pay attention to the capacity of the water tank, which determines how long you can use dental floss without recharging, and its power supply. Most flosses are now cordless and have a built-in lithium-ion battery, but they must be regularly plugged into an outlet or placed in a charging cradle to function. That means a battery charge indicator is another real bonus.
Finally, the controls are really important. Dental floss can be a tricky task, especially if you've never used one before. With intuitive, easy-to-find controls, you can avoid nasty splatters on your face or in the bathroom mirror.
Use an oral irrigator
Using an oral irrigator is not as easy as using an electric toothbrush and may take some getting used to. Begin by filling the container before placing the tip of the floss in your mouth with the nozzle pointing towards the gum line. Only then should you turn it on and select the mode you want to use.
Once it's on, you should slowly run the mouthpiece over your gumline, making sure to get between your teeth, starting with your bottom teeth and working your way up to your top teeth. Keep your mouth closed as much as possible, but let the excess water drain from your mouth into the sink because the stream doesn't do anything with a full mouth.
The feeling will be strange at first and may even be a bit uncomfortable. If you have problems with gum disease, you will probably bleed a little during the first few uses. For now, stick with the lower intensities or modes, but keep at it. Your teeth and gums will thank you later.
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The best oral irrigators you can buy
1. Panasonic EW1511: The best dental floss for most people
Price: £80 | Buy now on Amazon
Panasonic's update to the excellent EW1411 is fantastic floss. It's easy to assemble and easy to fill, with a lithium-ion battery that you can charge in an hour for ten minutes of use, so you can easily get through a week or two of daily flossing. It has five modes covering everything from cleaning between teeth to cleaning pockets at the gum line, and uses an ultrasonic pulse to deliver a really intense cleaning. Of all the braces we've tested, the EW1511 does the best job of keeping your teeth and gums looking pristine.
Our criticism is rather small. The charging dock and its two-pin razor plug are a bit bulky, while the button placement can make it difficult to switch modes while cleaning. For the rest, it is a very practical and effective oral irrigator.
Key Features - Pressure: up to 93.8 psi; Tank capacity: 200 ml; modes: 5; tips given: 2; Battery: Lithium Ion; Battery life: 10 minutes; Charger: charging station ; Dimensions: 75x85x210mm
2. Waterpik Cordless Advanced: The most versatile oral irrigator
Price: £90 | Buy now on Amazon
It also has a battery indicator, which the Cordless Plus lacks. During that time, the 8-ounce tank holds enough water to run at the highest intensity mode for about 35 seconds.
The bottom line is that the Cordless Advanced, like the cheaper model, does a great job of cleaning and covers a wide range of different needs. At the lowest intensity setting, you get a gentle clean suitable for first-time users or more sensitive gums, while at the highest setting, there is enough water to clean deep between teeth and around the gum line.
You also get two classic dental floss tips, an orthodontic tip and a plaque detection tip for handling crowns and implants. If you have or have had orthodontic treatment this can really help you keep this material clean and fight buildup. With a battery change and a slightly lower price point, it might be our pick for the best cable, but it's still the most versatile.
Key Features - Pressure: 45-75 psi; Tank capacity: 207 ml; modes: 3; tips given: 4; Battery: NiMH; battery life: 7 days; Charger: USB magnetic charging cable (12V adapter included); Dimensions: 71 x 102 x 294mm
3. Waterpik Cordless Plus: Affordable and effective cleaning
Price: £60 | Shop now at Argos
The Cordless Plus is the entry-level rechargeable model in Waterpik's cordless line. Functionality is simple: you have a choice of just two intensities and a switch that turns them on and off, while charging via an adapter with a plug-in cable rather than a fancy wireless charging pad. We'd also be happier if Waterpik replaced the NiMH battery with a new lithium-ion cell that needs charging less than once a week and doesn't take 18 hours to charge.
The bottom line, though, is that Cordless Plus still delivers excellent cleaning. The lower intensity isn't too bad, so it's great for beginners or users with sensitive teeth, while the higher intensity does a great job of cleaning the gum line and between teeth without going overboard and doing the awkward stuff.
You also get bonus points for grouping four tips, with the standard and orthodontic tips complemented by a plaque detection tip for cleaning around crowns and implants, and a tongue cleaning tip for scraping and tongue gripping against bad breath. There's room for improvement, but it's still a great oral irrigator for anyone who wants to try one.
Key Features - Pressure: 45-75 psi; Tank capacity: 210 ml; modes: 2; tips given: 4; Battery: NiMH; battery life: 7 days; Charger: 12V razor adapter; Dimensions: 69 x 96 x 295mm
4. Waterpik WF-05 Professional Whitening Water Flosser - Best oral irrigator for whiter teeth
Price: £125 | Buy now on Amazon
The WF-05 has two obvious downsides: it's a large device that needs to be on all the time, so it needs a big enough bathroom with counter space, and it also needs to be powered from a 12V outlet. all this plays to its advantage. No charging required, you won't run out of water halfway through flossing, and instead of a large hand floss you use a smaller wand and nozzle attached to a flexible plastic hose. . This makes it much easier to grab and reach those tricky molars.
The other benefit is control. You have the choice between dental floss and gentler massage modes with ten different intensities. So if you have sensitive gums or want a really powerful jet, you can find something that suits you. Plus, this model accepts whitening tablets that fit in the head and target stubborn stains around the gumline or in between teeth. It's a big and expensive device, but its downsides are worth putting up with if you want pro-level results.
Key Features - Pressure: 10-100psi; Tank capacity: 651 ml; Modes: 2 modes, 10 intensities; tips given: 4; Battery: AC power; Battery Life: N/A; Charger: 12V power adapter; Dimensions: 119 x 965 x 292mm
5. Oral-B Aquacare 4: The best oral irrigator for sensitive gums
Price: £47 | Buy now on Amazon
Oral-B Aquacare 4 may be too gentle for its own good. It has a choice of two power modes and a dual-pattern nozzle, letting you choose between a focused jet and a lighter rotating jet, and it looks poor and inefficient in three of the resulting combinations. Luckily, the fourth is a different story, as the Aquacare 4 has enough power to get in between teeth and do a decent job of cleaning and massaging gums. Another benefit is that it's gentle on sensitive teeth and gums, so it's a good option if you're afraid of heavier flossing.
It's a well-designed device that charges quickly from a rear entrance and charges easily at its wireless charging dock. It's a shame you can get through the 150ml tank in around 30 seconds and it takes an epic 14 hours to fully charge the aging NiMH batteries, giving around 20 minutes of use. If you want a thorough cleaning, look elsewhere, but if you want a softer feel at the gumline, put Aquacare on your shortlist.
Key Features - Pressure: up to 93.8 psi; Tank capacity: 150 ml; modes: 2; Tips provided: 1; Battery: NiMH; Battery life: 20 minutes; Charger: wireless charging station; Dimensions: 60 x 75 x 280mm
6. Oclean W10: the most elegant and compact oral irrigator
Price: £46 | Buy now at Oclean
While most budget floss follows the same basic design, the Oclean W10 takes a different approach, adding a leatherette trap on the back of the device that's color-matched to the clear plastic base of the floss below. Although you can remove this section for cleaning, do not fill the floss with water this way. Instead, the top strap closure doubles as a flip-top and is easy to fill straight from the tap. The W10, on the other hand, charges via a USB-C port hidden under a waterproof cap on the front. It lasts four hours and a full charge takes about 30 minutes.
The W10 has five power modes ranging from a pulsating jet to a gentle jet and a more intense jet. Oclean also includes four attachments, including an orthodontic tip for trimming braces, a periodontal tip for penetrating soft gum pockets, and a rasp tip for targeting the palate and floor of the mouth and tongue. . Cleaning isn't as good as the Waterpik Cordless Advanced or Panasonic EW1511, but better than most budget oral irrigators, while the design makes it easy to use. It's a good budget option with its own distinctive style.
Key Features - Pressure: 20-90 psi; Tank capacity: 200 ml; modes: 5; tips given: 4; Battery: Lithium Ion; Battery life: 30 minutes; Charger: USB port; Dimensions: 50 x 70 x 270mm
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