Dental Professionals - Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend using warm water. Water alone is proven highly effective in numerous clinical studies. However, patients can use certain agents with the water flosser:

• Mouthwash - A small amount of mouthwash such as TheraBreath Oral Rinse can be added to the water for flavoring and/or to enhance compliance.
• Chlorhexidine (CHX) - Has been clinically tested for use with the water flosser. CHX can be diluted in varying strengths.

Any time an agent other than water is used in the water flosser, flush the unit by running plain water through it afterwards.

Do not use iodine or water insoluble concentrated essential oils; use of these can reduce performance and will shorten the life of the product.

Patients can use a water flosser either before or after brushing, both of which promote good oral health. Water flossing before brushing might improve compliance, as it reduces the chance of forgetting to do it. Conversely, water flossing after brushing can be motivating because it reveals the food and debris that brushing missed. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference.

• No studies have shown that flossing reduces caries in adults. Since the water flosser is more effective for plaque removal and for gingivitis reduction, it should also be more effective for caries prevention.
• The water flosser is ideal for those patients who are not flossing effectively or not flossing at all.

The water flosser has been clinically proven safe on all settings. New users should start at the lowest pressure setting, then gently increase the pressure to the highest setting that feels comfortable.

• Replace the Classic Jet tip and Tongue Cleaner tip every 6 months. (Mineral deposits can collect and reduce performance over time.)
• Replace the Plaque Seeker^™ tip, Orthodontic tip, Pik Pocket^™ tip, and Toothbrush tip very 3 months. (Bristles splay and lose efficacy over time, just like a toothbrush.)

To order replacement tips and brush heads, you and your patients can use our Tips & Accessories selector:

The WATERPIK water flosser has been clinically proven to be safe for patients to use at all of the unit's pressure settings. No clinical evidence suggests that bacteria is driven into the pocket. In fact, the water flosser is highly effective at removing debris and bacteria from the pocket.

All patients can benefit from using the WATERPIK water flosser. Children can use it (with supervision), and it is great for older patients who have dexterity issues.

The WATERPIK water flosser is ideal for people with implants, crowns, bridges, orthodontics and for those with diabetes or who are in periodontal maintenance.

• The water flosser has been shown to reduce bacteria up to 6 mm; deeper than string floss.
• The PIK POCKET tip is very gentle, but it can reach even deeper for patients with deep periodontal pockets. (Use the PIK POCKET only on the lowest pressure setting.)

Yes, patients who used a high-end power toothbrush with a water flosser had a 37% better reduction in bleeding than those who used a powered toothbrush alone. Thus, adding a water flosser to a high-end power toothbrush will yield a significant improvement in oral health.

Pulsation is the key because it provides for a compression and decompression phase that allows bacteria and debris to clear from the pocket. Studies have found that a pulsating device can reach three times deeper than a non-pulsating device.

All WATERPIK models deliver the clinically proven benefits. However, our countertop models deliver a much greater range of water pressure — from extra gentle to maximum cleaning. Experienced WATERPIK users tend to like the higher pressure settings, and those with special needs or sensitive areas usually prefer the lower pressure settings, which are offered by our countertop models.

WATERPIK SONIC-FUSION is the world’s first flossing toothbrush. SONIC-FUSION combines the power of an advanced sonic toothbrush with the proven effectiveness of the WATERPIK water flosser. The toothbrush head features a built-in water flosser tip that pulsates from the center of the toothbrush, allowing you to use one device for both brushing and flossing. Learn more about SONIC-FUSION.