10-05-2025
'I vape and I tested a water flosser to see if it would make my teeth feel cleaner'
It's no secret that good dental hygiene is key to maintaining a sparkling smile - and there are more ways to do this than ever before. Of course, the standard brushing for two minutes and flossing comes to mind, but these days, the dental savvy are looking to make their mouth's feel even cleaner.
That's where a water flosser comes into play. These oral irrigators are handheld devices that shoot streams of pressurised water to remove excess plaque and food debris in those hard to reach areas between teeth.
Enter the Panasonic Series 800 Oral Irrigator. A new release from the gadget firm, this device is powered by "advanced ultrasonic technology" that is said to provide "thorough yet gentle cleaning" for healthier teeth and gums.
It comes with two different nozzles to offer different levels of clean and is chargeable with a USB-C cable, promising to be fully powered in one hour. It is currently on sale on Amazon for £109.99, down 31 per cent from its usual £159.99 retail price.
While not a new concept, more and more of these tools continue to pop up on social media of people testing them out. There are even come across numerous clips of professional dentists giving their expert verdict on whether they are worth using.
Panasonic isn't the only brand in the electric flosser game. For those seeking alternatives, Waterpik is one of the most well known brands in oral irrigation.
Right now, the Waterpik Cordless Pulse Water Flosser is reduced by £8.99 at Boots, currently costing £36. Meanwhile, the Oral-B Aquacare 6 Pro-Expert Water Flosser retails for £51.89 on Amazon.
Shoppers who prefer Panasonic can also get its older Series 600 Ultrasonic Oral Irrigator on sale for £77.71, reduced from £82.14.
The Daily Record's Lucy Farrell is someone who takes oral health very seriously, so she was all too happy to test out the Panasonic Series 800 Oral Irrigator. After using it for one month, she has given her opinion on whether investing in the device is worth it, which you can read below.
How does a water flosser work?
I'm someone who has a big fixation on good oral hygiene, namely down to past years of smoking and my current vaping habit. While I know I giving nicotine the boot is the best way to keep my gums healthy and teeth their whitest, that's a bridge I'm not quite ready to cross (I'm working on it though).
As such, I've always done everything else I can for optimal oral health, including regular dental cleanings, daily flossing and of course brushing twice a day. The more I learned about water flossers, the more I wanted to test one out.
So when I got my hands on the Panasonic Series 800 Oral Irrigator, I decided I would give it a go for one month every night to see if it actually would make a difference. I also tested each of its extra heads - the Ultrasonic Nozzle for daily use and its specialised Orthodontic Nozzle for cleaning around braces and dental appliances.
The device is easy to use. Simply take it out of the box, give it a charge and you're good to go. As it can be charged with a USB-C cable, it means I don't have to worry about an extra charger.
As mentioned, water flossers release high powered bursts of water to remove plaque and food debris from areas like between the teeth and under the gum line. Unlike classic flossing, water flossers are to be used before brushing to loosen any bits that need moving.
While you can't tell how much battery the Panasonic Series 800 Oral Irrigator is charged with, it claims to get fully powered in one hour. Using it is very straight forward, just fill the bottom part with lukewarm water, hit the on button, then pick one of the five power settings to find the ideal water pressure level.
I have to say, the first time I did this, my kitchen sink and mirror were quickly covered with water. A big point everyone using a water flosser must know is that they must put the nozzle in their mouth before turning it on. A mistake I only made once (okay, maybe a few times).
However, it didn't take long for me to get used to it and once I did, I found the whole process really easy. I would turn it on and give my whole mouth a once over, making sure to allow bursts of water between my teeth and gums. I would use the Ultrasonic Nozzle all around my mouth, then finish with the Orthodontic Nozzle on my permenant retainer.
I managed to do this every night for 30 days, and even though it was an extra step in my nighttime routing, I didn't find it to be a burden, as it is done in less than a minute.
Tech deal of the week
Looking to bag a pair of wireless headphones, but don't want to pay out for Apple's AirPods?
Then look no further than Amazon, as the online giant has a selection of budget-friendly options that are said to deliver on quality. One such pair are the Donerton Wireless Earbuds.
Priced at just £18.99, these earbuds use 2025 Bluetooth 5.4 to seamlessly connect to any device, while the 13mm speakers deliver "crystal clear" and "vivid" sound quality that is said to be on par with pricier brands.
Using ENC noise cancellation technology and featuring four built-in microphones, they are ideal for taking phone calls when out and about, alongside listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks without interruption.
The ergonomic design is suitable for everyone, with three silicone shaped tips available to provide a secure and long-lasting fit. As they are IP7 waterproof, they are prevented from any damage caused by sweat and raindrops.
Meanwhile, the wireless charging case displays the remaining power of each earbud using dual LED technology and can provide up to 40-hours of playback, with a single fast 1.5-hour charge offering up to eight hours alone.
Averaging a 4.4 rating on Amazon based on over 18,000 reviews, they have been compared to Apple and Samsung by tech fans who have praised them as "far superior" and "brilliant."
One such review read: "These EarPods are brilliant ! The sound is great & everything you would expect from apple but so much cheaper. I've had apple EarPods from apple, these are on par. Highly recommended."
Purchase the Donerton Wireless Earbuds on Amazon for £18.99 here.
Verdict
After my trial run, I was pretty impressed with how the Panasonic Water Flosser made my teeth feel all day. I couldn't help but notice how much smoother and clean they felt compared to before using it, even after eating.
However, while testing this I reduced my flossing frequency to see if it could be a permeant replacement. But I don't think this is the case. When I would floss every few days, even after using the water flosser, I would find that it didn't quite get everything out.
I also found myself using the water flosser on its highest setting, but felt the water pressure was still pretty mild. I expected it to be more powerful and initially wondered if it would have any positive effects.
But after a month I am happy with the results, so maybe it doesn't need to be super strong to work. But if you're looking for a water flosser for extra power, this Panasonic may not be for you.
Ultimately, I found the Panasonic Series 800 Oral Irrigator to live up to my cleaning expectations and will continue to use it. But I won't be throwing away my dental floss just yet.
