Latest news with #waterflosser
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
I tried Waterpik's ultra plus WP-150 water flosser – here's what happened
There's always room for improvement with our teeth. The results of the last Adult Dental Health Survey revealed that just 77 per cent of adults brushed their teeth twice a day. Even then, the high level of plaque seen in this group suggests that brushing alone is not good enough. This is where water flossers come in. Flossing the back of your mouth with string floss can be tricky if you have mobility issues. Cleaning between dental work for those with braces or fixed retainers can prove impossible. Thankfully, the electrical advantage of a water flosser is that pressurised water flushes out trapped food and debris from even the most hard-to-reach spots. There are plenty of water flossers in 2025, but Waterpik's WP-150 water flosser (£129.99, promises to remove up to 99.9 per cent of plaque from treated areas while being 50 per cent more effective at reducing gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, compared to regular string floss. Those are big claims, so I wanted to give Waterpik's ultra plus a whirl to see how our teeth fared with this techy upgrade to the good old string floss. I got hands-on with the popular device to see how it compares to competitor models and regular flossing. How I tested With six different attachments to test, I used the flosser multiple times to gauge its effectiveness in each mode. Working my way around all of my teeth, I put the flosser through its paces at different times of the day to assess its effectiveness after sleeping and eating. While testing, I recorded the following information: Ease of use: With lots of items included in the box, from the water tank to the storage caddy, I recorded how simple it was to set-up the flosser, plus how easy it was to charge (does it need to be near a plug 100 per cent of the time?) and whether flossing itself took some getting to grips with. Design: Bathrooms aren't often the most spacious rooms in a home, so I weighed up how practical the design was for an average home. I wanted to see if it was easy to store, and I also judged the quality and ergonomics of the attachments, storage holders, flosser grip and setting switches. Results: After eating and drinking (including coffee and wine), I recorded how well the flosser's various attachments tackled our daily and weekly plaque build-up, and noted any mishaps or instances of sensitivity. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews IndyBest is The Independent's shopping section, where experts examine a wide range of products for unbiased reviews. Qin Xie has tested several products for IndyBest, from pillow protectors and scalp massagers to the BlueAir dustmagnet 5240i air purifier.
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oclean Pocket-Sized Water Flosser Is Quietly Changing How People Floss on the Go
NEW YORK, NY / / July 26, 2025 / As more people look for compact, effective oral care solutions that fit modern routines, Oclean is making waves with its A10 Water Flosser, a palm-sized portable device built with air-powered technology that's gentle on gums but tough on plaque. With over 120 countries carrying Oclean products and a growing global community of users, the brand continues to refine what portable oral care can mean in 2025. Backed by more than 500 patents and award-winning designs, Oclean now brings its travel-ready A10 Water Flosser to users who need performance without bulk. Air-Water Tech Behind Oclean's Portable Water Flosser The A10 features Oclean's patented AirPump system, which infuses 98% air with water to create oxygenated micro-bubbles. In internal tests, this air-water fusion achieved up to 99% plaque removal while reducing gum irritation by 30% compared to conventional pulse-based flossers. Delivering 150 kPa of pressure in just 0.14 seconds, the A10 offers fast, efficient, and gentle cleaning-ideal for orthodontic users and those with sensitive gums. At just 136g, the A10 is significantly lighter and smaller than most water flossers on the market. "We designed the A10 to be as portable as your phone, without compromising effectiveness," says Emily Chen, Wellness Contributor at Oclean. "Most flossers are either too bulky or too harsh. We wanted to change that." Designed for Modern Lifestyles Oclean's A10 fits seamlessly into gym bags, backpacks, and carry-ons. Features include: Three Flossing Modes: Standard, Soft, and Massage Dual Nozzles: Standard and Orthodontic (braces-friendly) Long Battery Life: Up to 40 days on a single USB-C charge Waterproof Build: IPX7-rated, safe for use in the shower By eliminating large water reservoirs and high-pulse motors, Oclean reduced the device size by over 80%-without sacrificing functionality. Its internal tank provides enough water for a complete flossing session. Why Oclean's A10 Portable Water Flosser Stands Out Compared to leading products like the Waterpik Cordless Advanced, the A10 is lighter and more travel-friendly. It's built on the same innovation platform as Oclean's smart sonic toothbrushes-renowned for their Maglev motors, intelligent pressure sensors, and personalized brushing reports. Together, Oclean's lineup continues to push boundaries in oral care by focusing on three essentials: portability, comfort, and everyday usability. Visit the Oclean A10 Water Flosser product page to learn more. About Oclean Oclean was founded in 2016 and sells a full line of oral care products ranging from electric toothbrushes to water flossers to toothbrush sanitizers and more. The company has secured more than 500 patents and has a presence in more than 120 global markets, ranging from Asia to Europe to the U.S. Sonic Electric Toothbrush Collection: Official Website: Media Contact: Emily Chen (Oclean Communications Team)press@ OCLEAN SOURCE: OCLEAN View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fox News
02-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Stock up during Prime Day's early deals on on toothbrushes, whitening strips and flossers
Amazon Prime Day is approaching, and you can get a jump on savings with early deals on oral care. Snag discounts on electric toothbrushes, water flossers, specialized toothpaste and whitestrips. It's a great opportunity to upgrade your dental routine. If you're not a Prime member, sign up or start a free trial to access exclusive Amazon Prime Day savings. Prime membership costs $139 annually or $14.99 per month, and if you're a student, don't forget to take advantage of special pricing discounts on a Prime membership. The Waterpik Aquarius features advanced water-flossing technology to remove plaque and support gum health. The model comes with seven flossing tips and 10 pressure levels for safe, effective cleaning. It includes a pacer that pauses at 30 seconds and one minute to ensure thorough water flossing. The removable water reservoir holds enough water for 90 seconds of flossing time. Original price: $24.99 The DenTek mouth guard for nighttime teeth grinding features a dual-layer construction for the right amount of comfort and protection. It comes with a patented fitting tray and requires a three-step heat, shape and wear process to create a personalized mold of your upper teeth. Original price: $109.96 The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5300 rechargeable electric toothbrush features sonic technology, generating up to 62,000 brush movements per minute. It includes a built-in pressure sensor that alerts you when you're brushing too hard. The electric toothbrush offers clean, white and gum care modes for a customized oral care experience. Original price: $11.99 The Colgate 360 battery-operated toothbrush provides sonic vibrations, which contribute to a deeper clean than manual brushing alone. The brush head features Floss Tip bristles that reach deeper between teeth and along the gumline. Original price: $59.99 Crest 3D Whitestrips use a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide to break down and remove tough stains. The strips are designed with Flex Fit technology that stretches and molds to the individual contours of your teeth. Original price: $15.99 Boka fluoride-free toothpaste utilizes the ingredient nano-hydroxyapatite to strengthen the tooth surface. It removes surface stains and can restore the natural brightness of teeth by improving the smoothness of the enamel. The Ela Mint flavor will have your mouth feeling refreshed. Original price: $14.99 This tongue scraper is made of durable stainless steel and helps remove built-up bacteria and debris from the surface of your tongue. It features a U-shaped curve and is flexible enough to scrape all the corners of your tongue. Original price: $18 TheraBreath mouthwash is an alcohol-free mouthwash that promotes fresh breath with a non-burning formula. The mouthwash contains no artificial dyes and is vegan, kosher and gluten-free. Original price: $6.95 Keep a pack of these Listerine cool mint breath strips in your pocket or purse for on-the-go fresh breath. The breath strips kill bad breath germs and freshen your breath with a cool mint flavor. The strips also dissolve in your mouth. For more deals, visit Original price: $9.99 Plackers Micro Line dental floss picks are engineered to simplify flossing. The Micro Line floss picks easily glide into snug contact points where thicker floss might struggle.
The Guardian
09-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
From hallway jets to ‘pregnant' toothbrushes: my chaotic water flosser showdown
Cats and teeth. That's my contribution to the Filter so far, writing recommendations for new cat owners and electric toothbrushes. Rather than combining the two in a piece on cat toothpaste, I'm instead doubling down on the latter, writing about the wonderful world of water flossers. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Water flossers, for those that don't know, are exactly what they sound like. Rather than sticking a bit of dental floss or an interdental brush between your teeth and along your gums, the idea is that you can instead fire a jet of water. It's more convenient and saves you the embarrassment of seeing what grim detritus you've been hoarding between your teeth each day. Are they as effective as regular flossing? 'Probably not' was the consensus I got from the dental experts I spoke to, but it's also an improvement on nothing, which is, lamentably, what most of us are doing now. 'In terms of plaque removal, flossing and interdental brushes will be better,' Dr Sam Jethwa, president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, told me. 'The example I give patients is a boat sitting in a dock for a long time – it's got algae on the bottom. Get a hose pipe to try to get it off, it's not going to do anything. You need the water, but you need the mechanical movement there.' I'm pleased to report that my mouth isn't full of algae, and I certainly felt some benefit from my time water flossing, even if it had its limits. The cordless models look like pregnant toothbrushes – although sadly this isn't where baby toothbrushes come from. Rather, the distended lower section is designed to be filled with between 150ml and 400ml of water that can then be fired at your unsuspecting teeth and gums. After collecting machines from the likes of Oral-B, Panasonic, WaterPik and Philips, and lining them up along my sink like a tiny police identity parade, I set to work devising how to test a group of products that, on the surface of things, are very similar indeed. For starters, some manufacturers list water pressure in PSI, which is pounds per square inch. Others, however, don't bother with this nerdy nonsense, leading you to guess against the ones that do. One messy (but not especially scientific, given their different heights and jet angles) test saw me firing water from them down the hallway and measuring their reach. My other half had the unenviable job of following the jets down the hallway with a towel, shouting out the measurements like a darts caller, while I tapped the figures into my somehow still dry laptop. The water tank test was far more civilised, if not as fun. This involved filling the tanks from the tap before decanting the contents back into a measuring cup to see if the declared specs were accurate. Some were a little optimistic, while others understated how much water you could get in there. Other metrics are obvious as soon as you open the box, like how easy they are to hold and manipulate, and how many tips are supplied. The standard jet head is consistent between them all, but others are designed with orthodontics and periodontal pockets in mind. But there's plenty that's subjective too. For example, one model was marked down because you need to hold down a button to stop and start the water flow. That's a very sensible design for a travel-safe flosser, saving you a suspiciously vibrating suitcase that could be detonated by overzealous airline staff, but less positive when your mouth is rapidly filling with water and you need to cut the power quickly. My personal favourite model, meanwhile, isn't the most powerful, and nor is it practical for those without much space, given it plugs directly into the bathroom mains. But its handle is light and easy to manoeuvre, and it offers 10 pressure levels to make it the most flexible of the bunch. Towards the end of my testing, I had a long-scheduled dental hygienist appointment where, for once, I could proudly say that I had not just been flossing daily, but multiple times an hour. While a psychologist could undoubtedly take issue with that, surely no dentist would? Sadly, I wasn't asked, but nor was I given a mortifying critique on my dental hygiene. So I'm calling that a very small win, and an unspoken go-ahead to keep jet washing my teeth and gums. Albeit not as regularly, now the testing period is – thankfully – over. 'I ran 1,830 miles in these, and they're still going strong': trail running essentials (and what to skip) The best wedding guest dresses and outfits: 30 favourites for every dress code and budget 'The closest I tried to homemade': the best supermarket mayonnaise, tasted and rated From shiraz-infused gin to a 468-piece London landmarks Lego set; wildlife cameras to hot honey; customised plates with his children's artwork to the world's best potato masher – our Father's Day gift guide has 83 ideas for every type of dad, even those most difficult to shop for. (And in case you forgot, it's on 15 June.) Monica HorridgeDeputy editor, the Filter It's been the hottest, sunniest spring on record in the UK, with the risk of a drought this summer. So, in our age of climate crisis and heightened awareness of water consumption, an immaculate, well-watered lawn is becoming increasingly taboo. But you don't need to ditch the lawn altogether, wrote Matt Collins last month. Provided we take a more sustainable approach to their upkeep, embracing beneficial 'weeds' and leaving areas of long grass, reducing our lawns' size, and mowing less often, they can still have a place in our gardens. And while you're at it, sow some native British wildflowers to encourage more pollinators and boost biodiversity: social enterprise Pollenize's seed packet contains grass – as well as wildflower seeds. Has something you bought made you fitter or healthier? It could be the budget resistance bands that have you working out every day, or a bento box that has inspired you to pack healthier lunches. Let us know by replying to this newsletter or emailing us at thefilter@
The Guardian
03-06-2025
- General
- The Guardian
The best water flossers, tested: seven models for that dentist-clean feeling
There isn't much I miss from my pre-Invisalign 'gappy teeth' days, but it was far more difficult for food and plaque to get stuck in the gaps – something I took for granted at the time. Using floss between my pre-braces teeth was easy, but ultimately pointless, like using a pipe cleaner to buff the Dartford Tunnel. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. With all the gaps closed, that's no longer the case, and my water flosser has become a welcome part of my dental routine. A water flosser fires an intense jet of water between the teeth to dislodge debris and leave your mouth feeling fresher. 'Most people know they should be flossing, but in reality, it's one of the most skipped steps in daily oral care,' says Dr Johannes Jacobs, the founder of Jacobs & Associates Dental Office. 'Patients who struggle with traditional flossing routines often do far better with water flossers, and their gum health improves noticeably.' Most of the dentists I spoke to favour floss or interdental brushes (such as TePe) – more on that in the what you need to know section below – but water flossers definitely offer convenience. 'The water flosser doesn't provide the scraping action that traditional string floss does, but what it offers in return is accessibility and comfort,' says Jacobs. 'For a lot of patients, that's the deciding factor. If flossing is painful, frustrating or impossible – due to dexterity issues or appliances such as braces – it usually just doesn't happen. 'A water flosser is easy to use, even for kids and older adults. That's why I often recommend it – not as a replacement for floss across the board, but as a realistic alternative for those who aren't flossing at all.' For the past few months, I've been putting water flossers through their paces. Here are my findings. Best water flosser overall:Waterpik Ultra Professional£84.15 at Amazon Best budget water flosser:Operan Cordless Oral Irrigator£21.99 at Amazon Best cordless water flosser: Philips Sonicare Cordless 3000£69.99 at John Lewis First off, because I have 32 teeth, as most adult humans do. A weird flex, granted, but a useful qualifier for anyone wanting to be taken seriously when it comes to assessing the merits of water flossers. Thanks to the aforementioned course of Invisalign, said teeth are also now close together, making them more of a sporting challenge for the water flossing contenders. Perhaps more importantly, I've been professionally testing consumer technology for more than a decade now, and have previously trialled the best electric toothbrushes for the Filter. You can read more about the ins and outs of that here. For the most part, the testing process is what you'd expect: using one water flosser after another, and lavishing the kind of attention on my teeth that they usually get only in the panicked hours before a dental checkup to avoid a tongue-lashing (by which I mean a dressing down, not some kind of novel oral treatment). Each flosser was used multiple times, testing the various heads and settings, while making notes on features such as usability, controls and the slightly grim-sounding 'mouth feel'. But there were also more off-the-wall tests to check the manufacturer's specs – such as emptying a full water tank into a measuring cup to verify capacities, and testing power by measuring how far a jet could be fired across a room on a full battery. I wouldn't recommend repeating the latter test – it's not scientific, with each flosser's different heights and jet angles – but if you do insist on following my bad example, don't do it in a carpeted area and ensure pets are safely locked away. Samples were requested directly from manufacturers and retailers, with nine being provided from brands including Oral-B, Panasonic, Ordo, Waterpik and Philips. £99 at AO £84.15 at Amazon Countertop water flossers seem to be going out of style, and I could get hold of only one for our roundup. The Ultra Professional is a reminder of why this isn't necessarily a good thing, providing not only the largest tank around but also the kind of flexibility its cordless brethren could only dream of. Why we love itUnlike cordless models, the water reservoir remains on your countertop at all times. That makes it easier to move the nozzle around your mouth and ensures the easy-to-fill tank's 650ml of water is accessible at all times, no matter the angle from which you're attacking your teeth. Too often with cordless models, I found a half-full tank turned to a dribble when spraying the backs of my lower teeth – that was never a problem here. On top of that, it has 10 pressure settings increasing from 10PSI to 100PSI (pounds per square inch, a common measure of pressure), so you can choose what works for you. A generous number of heads (seven) are included, with three standard jet tips, one plaque seeker, another for orthodontics, a Pik Pocket and a toothbrush. There are drawbacks to the countertop design. Obviously, it's not travel-friendly (11.9 x 9.7 x 26.3cm WDH), and giants like me will have to stoop to use it. However, if you have the space, it's an easy recommendation. It's a shame that … it's a permanent resident on your countertop. Tank size: 650mlHeads: seven: jet (x3), plaque seeker, orthodontic, Pik Pocket, toothbrushPressure: 10-100PSIWaterproof: not statedCharging: not applicable £21.99 at Amazon While most cordless water flossers sit in the £60 to £120 range, Operan comes in at a fraction of that, while still achieving excellent results. Why we love itFrom the suspiciously low pricing, I was sure there would be something to complain about with the Cordless Oral Irrigator. But mouthful of a name aside, there really isn't. It's easy to hold and has four noticeably different power settings, with a pleasant pulsing stream. It's also quite effective when turned upside down, thanks to the generous 300ml tank and floating ball on the end of the reservoir tube (it's not perfect, though, so it's worth tackling the back of your teeth first, while the tank is full). There are four tips in the box, including one for orthodontics and another for tongue scraping. The cherry on the cake? It has a water resistance rating of IPX7, so you can use it in the shower, if you like. It's a shame that … some customers report reliability problems, although I had no issues. Tank size: 300mlHeads: four: jet, periodontal, orthodontic, tongue scraperPressure: 40-120PSIWaterproof: IPX7Charging: USB-C £69.99 at John Lewis£119.99 at Boots The best of the cordless bunch is the Philips Sonicare Cordless 3000. It offers a great combination of design, power and capacity, although it's not ideal for those with orthodontics or periodontal pockets as it comes with just two tips. Why we love itThe main thing that sets the Sonicare Cordless 3000 apart is its special Quad Stream tip, which fires water in four directions at once. While that might be bad news if you accidentally turn it on outside your mouth, it provides good, powerful coverage across multiple teeth and gum areas at the same time as a result. It also comes with a standard jet tip for a more intense stream, and both provide a decent amount of power. While Philips doesn't list a PSI figure, in my unscientific laminate-soaking distance test, it landed in the top half, and it feels like it provides a good level of pressure in the mouth, too. More importantly, it comes with a 'deep clean' setting with a more thorough pulsing jet of water. The water tank holds a decent 250ml, and is transparent so you can easily keep an eye on how much is left. One thing to note, however, is the charging method: my unit came with a bespoke power cable, but other versions pack USB-C. Philips's PR confirmed that they're otherwise identical, but USB-C is undoubtedly more handy if you lose the original cable. It's a shame that … it comes with only two tips. Tank size: 250mlHeads: two: Quad Stream, jetPressure: not statedWaterproof: not statedCharging: USB-C/figure 8 £45.50 at Pharmacy2U£49.99 at Debenhams Best for: sensitive gums The Aquacare Pro Expert Series 6 is far from perfect. For one thing, if you find it at its RRP of £150, it's pricey – although you're unlikely to pay that in practice. Even more importantly, it has the smallest tank of the lot at 150ml. It also feels underpowered, with even the 'intense' setting feeling nowhere near as powerful as its rivals. For sensitive gums and teeth, though, that possible weak spot becomes a virtue. It certainly offers a comfortable experience with the Oxyjet heads, which claim to add microbubbles for a deeper clean. These provide two types of stream via a manual switch: the rotational option gently massages the gums, while the more traditional targeted stream fires in one direction. There's also a standard jet tip for more power – but again, if you're after power, you've come to the wrong place. It didn't make the final cut because … the tank is the smallest of the lot. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Tank size: 150mlHeads: three: jet, Oxyjet (x2)Pressure: not statedWaterproof: not statedCharging: charging stand (two-pin plug) £39.99 at Pharmacy2UFrom £39.99 at Amazon Best for: raw power With an official rating of 160PSI, the Hydro Sonic officially provides a third more power than its rivals, which is great if your gums can handle the force. The travel lock is also handy to avoid a soggy bag, should you forget to empty the tank. With an RRP of £60, it's also competitively priced, though it's undoubtedly a basic solution, with only three power settings, no automatic pulse option, and just two jet tips in the box. The design, while distinctive and available in various cheerful colours, makes it difficult to tell how much water is left in the tank at a glance. It also sometimes struggles when turned upside down to tackle the backs of your teeth. It didn't make the final cut because … it's somewhat basic in its functionality. Tank size: 260mlHeads: two: jet (x2)Pressure: 80-160PSIWaterproof: IPX7Charging: USB-C £84 at Spotlight Best for: capacity If you want a cordless flosser with a generous water capacity, then the Spotlight is top of the tree, holding a massive 400ml in its bulbous tank. Unlike other cordless models, it means you can use it over multiple sessions – and there's a built-in UV light setting to sterilise the water, if you don't like the idea of nasties swimming in it. That's something of a gimmick, but it's a nice extra to have in an all-around great water flosser. It is pretty powerful, comes with four different heads, offers three operating modes, and is pretty good at working upside down, thanks to the Hydro Gravity Ball at the end of the reservoir tube. There are two downsides: it charges with a bundled figure-8 charger rather than USB-C, and the water tank has to be unscrewed every time you need to fill it. Given I managed to incorrectly align it a couple of times, that may get messy – but that should at least let you test the IPX7 waterproof rating. It didn't make the final cut because … the tank is a pain to fill, and it uses a figure-8 charger rather than USB-C. Tank size: 400mlHeads: four: jet, orthodontic, periodontal pocket sprinkler, tongue scraperPressure: 60-120PSIWaterproof: IPX7Charging: figure-8 £59.99 at Icy Bear Dental Care Best for: travel Plenty of water flossers include travel cases in the box, but from the selection I tested, only the Icy Bear flosser gets physically smaller when not in use. The body of the flosser slips down into the tank, reducing its size by about a third: clever! This design does come with some drawbacks, however. It's slower to fill than other models, and it can sometimes leak a little – something countered by its IPX7 waterproof rating. The design also requires a long press to turn on and off, which is great to avoid accidental leaks in your bag, but less good when your mouth is rapidly filling with water and you need to breathe without soaking the mirror. It didn't make the final cut because … the pull-out design is not without its problems. Tank size: 200mlHeads: four: jet, orthodontic, periodontal, tongue scraperPressure: not statedWaterproof: IPX7Charging: USB-C Part of the appeal of water flossers is how simple they are to use: just fill the tank, and then work the flosser along the gumline, spraying between the teeth. You may find your flosser comes with different attachments that require an adjusted technique, but that's the basic operation. Dr Flavio Pisani, a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Lancashire's School of Medicine and Dentistry, recommends intermittent spraying, and some flossers have this pulsing action as a built-in setting. 'It should be an alternate flowing and oozing that makes the power efficient,' he says. Otherwise, you could 'just get your mouth full of water without any effect'. Some people like to add a little mouthwash to the water, but Pisani says the evidence doesn't support this as being any more effective. 'I think it's really only going to make people feel fresher,' says Dr Sam Jethwa, president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. 'It's more just a freshness of the mouth thing rather than any other benefit.' From speaking to several dentists, the consensus is that water flossers aren't a replacement for mechanical flossing, but they have their place. They are, as Caitlin Miller, head of dental hygiene and therapy at Bupa Dental Care UK, told me while I was testing toothbrushes, 'better than nothing' for patients who won't use floss or interdental brushes. Jethwa agrees. 'The example I give patients is a boat sitting in a dock for a long time – it's got algae on the bottom. Get a hose pipe to try to get it off, it's not going to do anything. You need the water, but you need the mechanical movement there,' he says. 'So I wouldn't say that they're a replacement for floss. It may be better to use a water flosser if you're not using anything.' Pisani is open to water flossers' potential, but says there is 'not strong evidence' of their efficacy compared with traditional interdental cleaning. 'There's recent evidence from a study over four weeks of using water flossers compared to TePe brushes, and the [results] are quite similar,' he says. But there's a catch: 'The problem is that this study was not giving the group using interdental brushes the size that fit their teeth.' Hopefully, further study will reveal more, but don't expect anything overnight. 'We have reached a consensus about electric toothbrushes, but bear in mind they've been available since the 1980s,' Pisani continues. 'We found the evidence about the better use of electric toothbrushes about 10 years ago.' For now, Pisani doesn't recommend seeing water flossers as an outright replacement, but insists that interdental cleaning is crucial. 'I tell my students and patients that if I were sent to a desert island with only one tool, I would definitely bring my TePe [interdental brushes] with me, rather than a toothbrush, because gum disease starts in between teeth or in between implants.' 'If a water flosser encourages people who are doing very little in addition to brushing to do something, then it's a good thing,' says Jethwa. 'But what I wouldn't encourage is for people who are flossing well, using interdental brushes and achieving good oral hygiene to think that this is an easier way of achieving the same thing.' Since most water flossers do the same thing, it's worth focusing on the differences. For example, tank size is important. If you're doing a thorough clean, then some of the smaller capacities won't be enough. Yet this directly plays off against usability and portability, so it's a balancing act. Power sometimes turns up in the specifications under PSI – or pounds per square inch. While a higher pressure may be more effective at pushing out debris, it can prove uncomfortable, especially on sensitive mouths, so the flexibility of power is arguably more important than the raw PSI figure. If you're looking at a cordless model, as most of the ones in this guide are, it's also worth considering how they're charged. Some power up using USB-C, which is undoubtedly more convenient than a proprietary lead, as most folk have several cables lying around. Finally, some people like to floss while in the shower. If that's you, then look for one that has IPX7 protection. Alan Martin is a writer who has been putting products, including phones, gaming devices and wearables, through their paces for more than a decade. Since he added dental products to his areas of expertise, his teeth have never been happier
