What is a Water Flosser

A water flosser is an oral health appliance that provides a stream of pulsating water to floss between your teeth and below the gumline.

Common Features of WaterpikTM Water Flossers

All WATERPIK water flossers include:

The motor and pump cause a stream of pressurized, pulsating water to flow from the reservoir through the tip and into the mouth.

The targeted stream of water removes plaque, food particles, and bacteria in a way that’s more effective, more comfortable, and easier than traditional string floss. The pulsating action also stimulates gum tissue for added health benefits.

Sizes and features of WATERPIK water flossers vary to accomodate your lifestyle and specific dental health needs.

Waterpik Aquarius™ water flosser WP-660

Why Choose a Water Flosser

If you don’t like string floss, don’t floss often, find string floss hard to use, or want a deeper clean, a water flosser can be the answer.

  • Thorough Clean - If you already use string floss, adding a water flosser to your routine can help remove plaque and debris that string floss misses.
  • Easy To Use - many people find water flossing easier and more pleasant than using string floss, and they may floss more often as a result.
  • Dexterity - water flossers are helpful for people with dexterity issues, such as arthritis, who find string flossing difficult.
  • Gum Disease - gum disease prevention and treatment is another reason to use a water flosser. WATERPIK water flossers are clinically proven to reduce gingivitis, remove plaque, and improve gum health.
  • Braces, Crowns, Implants - water flossers are especially useful for cleaning braces and other orthodontics, as well as cleaning bridges, crowns, and dental implants.

What About Toothbrushing

For daily home care, dentists recommend:

  • Brushing your teeth 2x a day for 2 minutes
  • Flossing once a day to clean between your teeth

Although water flossing reaches areas that tooth brushing can’t, it is not a replacement for brushing your teeth. Rather, it is used as an alternative or in addition to string floss, interdental brushes, or floss threaders to remove plaque and debris that brushing and string flossing leave behind.

How to Floss with a Water Flosser

Is Water Flossing Messy

Compared to string floss, water flossing is easier and doesn't require you to put your hands in your mouth or deal with string floss.

The correct technique is the key. Unlike string floss, you don’t need to look in the mirror or hold your mouth open wide.

To use a water flosser, place the flosser tip in your mouth, close your lips most of the way, and lean over the sink. Then turn the power on. As you floss along the gumline and between your teeth, allow the water to empty from your mouth into the sink.

Dental Professionals Recommend Waterpik™ Water Flossers

WATERPIK is the #1 water flosser brand recommended by U.S. dental professionals* and is backed by 70+ clinical studies.

For details about features and to read product reviews, browse our variety of WATERPIK water flosser models:

Browse Water Flossers

*Professional AAU, 400 Dental Professionals, October 2023