We’re always told to floss after brushing our teeth. While brushing cleans most of the surface of your teeth, it can’t get into the gaps between your teeth like flossing can. But it can be a struggle to get into the habit. Floss too vigorously and your gums can get irritated and even bleed. And if you find dental floss too fiddly to use, there’s the waste of throwing away those little plastic flossers.

So if you’re looking for an alternative, water flossers can be a good way to go. These powerful yet gentle tools use a steady stream of water to dislodge food particles, remove plaque buildup and promote healthy gums. It's like having a mini pressure washer for your teeth! So here’s what to look for when picking a water flossers and some of the best water flossers around…

Why use a water flosser?

Water flossers, also known as oral irrigators, use water to flush out food particles and bacteria from between your teeth. They’re very easy to use, come packed with features that get you into good habits and can have serious benefits for your oral health:

• Removes plaque: With the pulsating water stream, water flossers remove plaque buildup from your teeth.

• Fights gum disease: By flushing out food particles and bacteria, water flossers can help prevent gum disease and promote healthy gums.

• Easy to use: Water flossers can make your oral hygiene routine a breeze. Just fill the water reservoir, point the tip at your gumline and let the water do its work!

• Gentle on gums: For those with sensitive gums, traditional flossing methods can be painful. Water flossers offer a gentle yet effective solution that won't irritate your gums. This can be a big help for people who wear braces, have sensitive gums and those with implants or dental bridges that make flossing difficult.

Key features to look for in a water flosser

When shopping for the best electric flosser, consider water pressure settings, reservoir size and tip options. The best electric flosser should offer multiple pressure settings, so you have different options depending on gum/teeth sensitivity and what kind of clean you need.

Pressure control

While more power means blasting food more effectively, it might be uncomfortable if you have sensitive teeth and gums. Pressure control or speed settings let you adjust the flow of water so you can find a happy medium.

Cordless vs corded

A corded water flosser doesn’t mean trailing around a power cord. Often it’s just a water tube that links back to a larger reservoir - meaning you don’t have to refill mid-floss. So lots of top flossers are corded, like this Waterpik Ultra Professional.

Cordless obviously gives you more freedom - so you can take your flosser into the shower. Not only will you save time in the morning, but you won’t have to worry about splashback hitting your clean shirt!

Reservoir size

Generally bigger is better. You’ll want enough water to be able to flush each gap for a few seconds. So it might be better to go for a bigger reservoir than to have to refill halfway through. Of course, you don’t want it too large that your water flosser is cumbersome to hold. Reservoir sizes are either measured in militres or how long you get from a full tank. 45-60 seconds is fine for most people.

Specialised tips

Changing the tips of your water flosser is just like switching the flow on a hose or pressure washer. You might like a very fine stream to target troublesome spots on the gum line, or a general blast might be better when you want to give your whole mouth a clean. If you have braces (for example) look for a flosser that includes an orthodontic tip.

Best overall water flosser

If you’re looking for a great all-rounder, the Philips Sonicare 3000 Power Flosser is up to the job. Its rotating nozzle and X-shaped water stream flushes out plaque, wherever it's hiding. And the water even pulses when it's time to switch tooth. And with 3 switchable power levels, a water reservoir large enough for a 60-second clean and a 14-day battery, it's one complete flosser.

Best for sensitive gums

The Panasonic Series 800 Ultrasonic stands out as a great water flosser for sensitive gums. That’s because it’s got 5 levels of water pressure to choose from. So if you’re finding that your gums are being irritated, you can pick a lower power level. Its Ultransonic tech uses water vapour bubbles which do a great job of removing plaque and bacteria from every nook and cranny. It also genty stimulates your gums, which helps prevent and alleviate gum disease too.

Best for travel and portability

For frequent travellers, one of the best cordless water flossers is the Waterpik Cordless Plus. At only 600g, it’ll slip easily into your overnight bag. But portability doesn’t mean sacrificing results. It gets rid of 99% plaque with its pulse modulating technology, and has a 360-degree rotating head. And it’s ultra quiet, so you can use it anywhere while being a considerate guest.

Budget-friendly options

The good news is that you can get a lot for your money with the right water flosser. The Panasonic Series 300 is a great example. It’s got 5 levels of pressure and its 200 ml water tank gives you 50 seconds of use. That’s some brilliant plague and bacteria removal at a price that won’t clean you out!

FAQs

Which water flosser do dentists recommend?

There are many top brands that the experts back - like Panasonic, Waterpik or Philips. But probably more important than that are water flossers that combine good pressure and pulsation, according to Dentistry Journal.

Is Waterpik or Philips better?

Both brands offer a great clean. Waterpik tends to offer great at-home models, whereas Philips water flossers often focus on being cordless, so they’re great to take with you. So, it’s really more about choosing the right water flosser for you.

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

Waterpik is actually a brand name that's become synonymous with water flossers, similar to how we say Hoover for vacuum cleaners. All Waterpiks are water flossers, but not all water flossers are Waterpiks!

What’s next?

Now you’re a water flossing pro, maybe it’s time to brush up on toothbrushes. Here’s everything you need to know about electric toothbrushes and some of the best electric toothbrushes around.