When researching the best oral irrigator, you’ll need to learn about its features and benefits. In short, you’ll have to become a bit of an irrigator specialist. This comparison list will help you figure out what features matter to you and your family.
Do you need a portable flosser to take to work or school? Are there certain tips you need based on recommendations from your dentist? These are just a couple of questions that you should be answering during your research. They’re questions this comparison guide will help you answer.
Choosing the best oral irrigator is dependent on the kind of oral hygiene concerns you have. Braces, dental implants, or plaque buildup are concerns for many. These flossers will provide certain benefits for those dental issues.
Table of Contents
- Best Oral Irrigator – Comparison Chart
- Top 7 Oral Irrigator Reviews
- Waterpik ADA Accepted WP-660
- SmarToiletries Cordless Water Flosser
- H2ofloss Water Dental Flosser
- ToiletTree Products Cordless Oral Irrigator
- PECHAM Professional Water Dental Flosser
- Zerhunt Professional Cordless Oral Irrigator
- Panasonic Portable Dental Oral Irrigator
- What is an Oral Irrigator?
- Is There a Difference Between an Oral Irrigator and a Water Flosser?
- Things to Research Before Choosing an Oral Irrigator
- History of the Oral Irrigator
- Why You Need an Oral Irrigator for Braces
- Cordless or Corded: Making Your Choice
- Final Thoughts
Best Oral Irrigator – Comparison Chart
Products | Water Capacity | Pressure Settings | Tips | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Waterpik Aquarius | 90 sec | 10 | 7 | Check price |
SmarToiletries Flosser | 45 sec | 3 | 4 | Check price |
H2ofloss Oral Irrigator | 150 sec | 4 | 12 | Check price |
ToiletTree Oral Irrigator | 45 sec | 3 | 2 | Check price |
PECHAM Oral Irrigator | 90 sec | 10 | 7 | Check price |
Zerhunt Oral Irrigator | 50 sec | 3 | 3 | Check price |
Panasonic Oral Irrigator | 40 sec | 2 | 1 | Check price |
Top 7 Oral Irrigator Reviews
Waterpik ADA Accepted WP-660
The Aquarius has all the features you’d expect from a leader in the water flossing space. It has 10 pressure settings, so you’ll be able to choose exactly the right amount of water pressure. That’s great for people who have never used a water flossing unit before. You can start light and easy.
The unit comes with 7 flossing tips. There are 3 classic tips, 1 plaque seeker, 1 pik pocket, 1 orthodontic and 1 toothbrush. This gives everyone in the family their own water flossing tip.
It has 90 seconds of water capacity. There’s also a 60-second timer on the unit. You can use either to ensure you’re flossing for long enough. There’s a pacer timer, so you won’t miss any spots. It’ll alert you when it’s time to move from one side of your mouth to the other.
My impression
This flosser from Waterpik has everything your family could need for their oral hygiene needs. The base is compact yet it has a 90-second capacity. There are plenty of tips, so everyone can have their own. It’s perfect for braces, and has a tip specifically for that purpose.
There’s an easy on/off button on the wand itself. The dial gives you 10 levels of water pressure. The intensity you choose will depend on how familiar you are with water flossing. Beginners don’t have to be intimidated when they try the flosser for the first time.
What could be better?
It can be a bit loud, which is unexpected for people who aren’t used to flossing with a water flosser.
SmarToiletries Cordless Water Flosser
This cordless water flosser is waterproof. That’s one of the first features you want to have in a cordless flosser. It’s made for taking into the shower with you. Saves you time in the morning when you’re getting ready for work.
It has a range of water pressures for everyone’s dental focus. If you need a light pressure or the strongest spray possible, there’s an option for you. There’s a normal pressure, soft pressure, and massage pressure. The normal pressure is for people who have experience with water flossers. The soft mode is good for kids, those with braces, and people using it for the first time. The massage option is meant to be used on the gums.
There’s a 2-minute auto shut-off. That will alert you to the fact that you’ve dedicated a correct amount of time to flossing. Two minutes is recommended for everyone to achieve healthier gums, remove plaque, and reduce the risk of diseases.
My impression
Your dentist might have been unimpressed with your current flossing. If he recommends a water flosser, this is a great option. It’s waterproof, which means it can be used in the shower to combine your flossing with showering. That will save time in the lives of many busy people.
The cordless option makes this a great flosser for those who do a lot of traveling. You don’t want to be in another part of the world ignoring your oral hygiene. It’s especially important when you’re trying new foods, too. Imagine you’re eating something with tiny seeds or spicy sauces. You’ll need to floss before heading to bed.
What could be better?
It can be bulky to hold for people who have limited hand mobility.
H2ofloss Water Dental Flosser
This countertop unit is 100 percent waterproof. Some countertop devices are not waterproof, so you have to be careful with them. With this flosser, that’s not a concern. It’s whisper-quiet, so you don’t have to worry about waking anyone while using the flosser in the morning.
It comes with a convenient slider bar to choose the best setting for your water flossing needs. The slider also works as a pause button to stop the water flow. There are 5 pressure settings.
The reservoir holds 800 ml of water or a mixture of water and mouthwash. That’s a huge amount of water. It’ll last 150 seconds depending on the power of the spray. Next to the reservoir is a storage space for all the tips that are included. There’s a plastic slot to hold 7 tips, but you can remove the slot to fit almost 20 in the storage space.
The unit comes with 12 tips. There are 4 jet tips, 2 orthodontic tips, 2 tongue cleaning tips, and 2 nasal tips. The tips have different colors at their bases, so everyone in the family can have a tip of their own.
My impression
When it comes to dental implants, crowns, or braces, this is a great countertop flossing unit. Everyone in the family gets a tip and a spray that works for their dental concerns. The person with braces can easily clean behind the brackets and wires for a super clean mouth.
The special periodontal tips will direct the spray at the precise location where it’s needed. With the slider bar, you can get the right amount of pressure, too. It might be a bit scary to use the flosser at full power with braces at first. Beginners can slide the bar as the become more comfortable with the pressure.
What could be better?
Not compatible with voltages outside of North America.
ToiletTree Products Cordless Oral Irrigator
This is a cordless oral irrigator that is compact enough to be taken anywhere. When you need a travel flosser, this is one that has all the essentials you’ll need on the road. It has rechargeable batteries and a long battery life, too.
The flosser is waterproof, so it can be used in the shower. The time you can save on your morning routine can be used towards other important tasks. Over time, it’ll become a habit to take a shower and floss at the same time.
The cordless flosser comes with a huge reservoir measuring 150 ml. That will give you more than enough time to cover your entire mouth with this flosser. It won’t matter what speed or pressure you use, either.
There are 3 speeds available with this portable flosser. There’s a high speed that will break up plaque and food buildup behind the brackets and wires. After you’ve eaten, you will want to clean your braces thoroughly. That can be done anywhere with the quiet motor. There’s also a soft mode and a pulse mode. The soft mode is for those who have more sensitive teeth. The pulse mode will massage the gums.
My impression
With the portability and battery life of this compact flosser, you’ll be able to practice good oral hygiene everywhere. On the road, at school, or at work, are all places where you can clean your teeth after eating.
When you don’t floss after meals, you’re leaving that food to sit on the gums or enamel between teeth. That’s hours when the acids and bacteria can attack. You want to always have clean teeth. Especially if you’re wearing braces.
If a little food stays behind the brackets or wires, it could lead to cavities and diseases. It’s also quite embarrassing to have food stuck in your braces when you have classes or meetings at work. This unit is so quiet that you can easily pull it out of your bag and floss your teeth after lunch.
What could be better?
The unit can’t be used while it’s charging.
PECHAM Professional Water Dental Flosser
One of the biggest features of this flosser is the huge reservoir. It can hold 600 ml of water or a mixture of water and mouthwash. This will give you up to 90 seconds of water depending on the power of the spray. With a powerful spray, you’re using more water.
The countertop unit includes 3 classic jet tips, 1 orthodontic tip, 1 periodontal tip, 1 plaque tip, and 1 tongue cleaner. With that many tips, there’s one for every member of the family.
Each tip has a different function based on its shape. The periodontal tip will help relieve the symptoms of disease like gingivitis or periodontitis. The plaque tip will deliver a powerful stream to the area below the gums and between teeth. The orthodontic tip is perfect for those with braces or dental work.
There’s a pressure dial with 10 power levels. The lowest works for people who have never tried a flosser before. It’s a good place to start for children, too. The highest level is for stubborn plaque or food that is stuck between the teeth.
My impression
With the variable pressure, the unit is suited for everyone in the family. From children to adults with braces to those with sensitive teeth, it’s a fit for all. The varied tips along with the different amounts of pressure give you a variety of solutions for dental problems, too.
Dentists recommend that you floss after every meal. It’s a vital part of oral hygiene, but it’s one that we often ignore until there’s a bad dental visit. This kind of flosser can actually blast away problems in a way that regular flossing can’t. Everyone in the family can enjoy better oral health with this oral irrigator.
There are many features that make this a good choice. The huge reservoir that provides 90 seconds of flossing is a top feature.
What could be better?
The on/off button can be hard to move until you’ve had some practice with the process.
Zerhunt Professional Cordless Oral Irrigator
This cordless water flosser has a leak-proof design that makes it perfect for a portable oral irrigator. It has a generous water reservoir right in the handle of the flosser. All the buttons you need are easy to reach right in the handle, too.
There’s a full opening for the reservoir that makes it easy to clean. There will never be a buildup of limescale or residue when you can clean the opening thoroughly.
There are 3 pressure modes; soft, normal, and pulse. The soft can be used by children or adults with sensitive teeth. It’s a great beginner mode. The normal mode is ideal for most users. The pulse mode is for those who need extra gum care. It’ll massage the gums and increase blood flow. It’s used for treating oral hygiene issues.
The flosser has a rotating nozzle that will allow you to get to all the areas of your mouth that need attention. The back of the molars are a very hard-to-reach area without the 360 degree swivel.
My impression
The rechargeable, cordless flosser has a generous reservoir, which is something you normally see in countertop units. You can easily bring this flosser into the shower with you. Combining your tasks in the morning will give you more time to do other things and be to work on time.
The flosser comes with three colored flossing tips for various members of your family. Everyone can enjoy the portability of the flosser when showering.
It’s a portable unit that you can take to school or work, too. When someone has braces, they have to be incredibly careful about keeping food out of the metal. Many foods can be corrosive if they’re left on the metal or to sit behind the metal on the tooth itself. That includes things that are acidic or that will create plaque buildup.
The flosser is portable enough to sit in a person’s bag quite easily. It’s silent and won’t embarrass the teenager who might need to bring this to school.
What could be better?
The reservoir tank can be a bit hard to open the first few times for filling.
Panasonic Portable Dental Oral Irrigator
This cordless water flosser has a design that makes it functional for travel in a way that many other flossers aren’t. It’s a collapsible design that is absolutely made for traveling. It fits into your luggage or bags without taking up too much space.
The reservoir slides down and locks into place for filling. It takes 165 ml of water, which equals 40 seconds of flossing. There are two speeds for everyday flossing. There’s a lower speed for sensitive teeth. It’s a mode children can use, too. The high speed is for normal adult use.
The cordless flosser uses batteries to power the device. This portable unit isn’t created to be used in the shower. It’s a terrific unit to take with you to school or work. Your teenager with braces can stick this in a backpack without being obvious about their oral hygiene care.
My impression
This portable flosser has features that make them perfect for people who travel. They want a no-fuss way to clean their teeth between meals. This battery-powered flosser gives them a simple, everyday clean.
The two speeds are really all you need to ensure that you have a portable cleaning machine. Those with sensitive teeth can still enjoy the cleaning that’s offered by a water flosser.
Everything about this oral irrigator is simple and straightforward. The reservoir can easily be filled using a faucet at school or work. It’s very quiet, so it won’t be embarrassing to anyone who needs to clean their teeth after meals. It’s a great portable unit for teenagers especially.
What could be better?
The unit isn’t waterproof for using in the shower, but it works perfectly for travel.
What is an Oral Irrigator?
An oral irrigator is a device used to remove plaque and food from teeth. It’s used for areas of the mouth that are hard to reach. Water is held in a reservoir and forced through a wand using high pressure. These devices are often called water flossers, too.
The oral irrigator’s wand shoots a stream of water directed at the gum line and between the teeth. It’s used to improve oral health in those with no issues. More importantly, it’s used by those who have issues with gingivitis. It’s also easier to clean braces and other dental work like crowns and implants.
The oral irrigator blasts water at high pressure to remove food, plaque, and bacteria. It’ll help prevent tooth decay and reduce bleeding gums and swelling.
The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once per day to remove plaque between dental visits. In fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have said that flossing is an “important oral hygiene practice.”
Is There a Difference Between an Oral Irrigator and a Water Flosser?
The oral irrigator and water flosser are not very different. The only real difference is the use for each. A water flosser is used for every day cleaning by those who don’t have issues with their teeth or gums. These people want to keep their mouth clean and avoid dental problems.
The oral irrigator sounds more like a medical device. That might make it more attractive to those who have special oral care needs. People with gingivitis, frequent cavities, a build-up of plaque, or braces will find themselves looking for solutions. The oral irrigator is the answer.
Things to Research Before Choosing an Oral Irrigator
- Water Pressure Adjustments
Users of the oral irrigator will want to have multiple adjustments for the pressure. People with gingivitis or sensitive teeth won’t want to have a blast of cold water at a high speed. It’ll be more painful than helpful. Most manufacturers of water flossers understand the need for more speeds and pressures.
There’s usually a dial that will give a variety of different pressures to the owner of the oral irrigator. When researching your options, find ones that have a dial with more than a few water pressure intensities.
- Covered Reservoir
The size of the water reservoir will influence the length of time you’ll spend flossing. Dentists personally recommend that you floss after meals. At the very least, they recommend flossing at the end of the day. The longer you floss, the better. Many dentists want you to floss for at least 90 seconds if possible. That means that the reservoir should be able to handle that length of time.
When you’re researching the reservoir depths, they’ll mention the amount of time you can floss. For example, it’ll say 90 seconds of flossing with the reservoir – or 30 or 60 seconds. That’s an indication of the amount of water it can hold.
- Multiple Functions
Along with the pressure and intensity, you can choose the function of the water flosser. It’ll come with classic jet tips for directing the water between teeth and at the gum line. That’s the basic function of the flosser.
Some flossers come with other tips like plaque removal tips, tongue cleaners, or periodontal tips. This will allow the user to get more functions out of the flosser. It makes the unit shareable with the rest of the family, too.
- Plaque Removal
When teeth are crooked enough for braces, that means there are overlapping edges or large spaces between teeth. That’s the perfect area for food to stick. Bacteria and food particles lead to plaque buildup.
The water flosser you choose should have a plaque tip included. This tip will direct more of the water’s force in a steady stream. A steady blast of water removes more plaque when forced out of a tip made for plaque.
- Portable
You don’t want to leave your toothbrush or water flosser behind when you go on vacation. That’s also true if you are on the road for work trips. Good oral hygiene happens every single day.
Any time that you don’t brush or floss regularly is a day that leads you closer to a bad dental visit. Gingivitis, gum issues, and sensitivity are all issues that can be avoided by brushing and flossing every day.
- Universal Voltage
Most flossers have one voltage for use in North America. Others will have universal voltage, so everyone around the world can enjoy water flossing. Look for flossers with universal voltage if you want to travel with your flosser.
If you’re going on vacation, you don’t want to leave your great oral hygiene behind. Even a few weeks without your flosser can result in problems and issues with plaque and particle buildup in your mouth.
- Ergonomic Design
The wand itself should be curved in a way that is easy to hold in your hand. You’ll be using this flosser each day for at least 90 seconds. You want it to be comfortable. There’s a lot of pressure coming
It should also have some kind of grip to keep it from falling out of your hand. It could break if it falls out of your hand too many times. The design will influence how often you use it, too. If it’s uncomfortable, you’ll be wasting your money and not getting any benefit.
History of the Oral Irrigator
The first irrigator was developed by a dentist. His name was Gerald Moyer. He worked with an engineer named John Mattingly in 1962. At the time, no one else had come up with a way to clean between teeth besides string floss.
The oral irrigator they invented ended up being the foundation for the company that would eventually be named Waterpik. It’s still a popular company today in the world of oral hygiene.
Why You Need an Oral Irrigator for Braces
Braces are used to straighten teeth, but the brackets and wires can create problems with oral hygiene. Cleaning braces is hard since the hardware blocks the toothbrush’s bristles and string floss.
Removing plaque involves more than just brushing alone. You should be using a water flosser to blast food particles from the wires and brackets. Many dentists recommend a sonic toothbrush for brushing after every meal. Even a sonic toothbrush can’t remove all of the food, plaque, and bacteria that can be hiding behind the metal.
Those who have braces should be choosing an oral irrigator with a orthodontic tip. It’s designed specifically for use with braces. It has a tapered brush at the end to get behind the brackets with the blast of water.
Cordless or Corded: Making Your Choice
The corded oral irrigator sits on the bathroom shelf. It has a reservoir that can hold 60 to 90 seconds of water. It will have a place for all the tips that your entire family needs for flossing. Teenagers with braces will have the orthodontic tip. Adults can use the classic tip or the plaque seeker. Everyone can have their own toothbrush tip. They’ll all fit in or around the base of the unit.
A cordless water flosser is one that has a smaller reservoir. The flosser tip and reservoir is one complete, handheld unit. It’s great for travel and used in places besides the bathroom at home. Those who choose a handheld, cordless flosser can enjoy flossing on the road easily. It’s simple to fill the reservoir and hop into the shower with it. It’s simple to refill, too.
The choice between corded or cordless will depend on who is using the flosser. Individuals who travel and want a more portable flossing option will want the cordless versions. Families can enjoy the corded unit with all of its tips along with storage.
Final Thoughts
The best oral irrigator is on this comparison list. You’ll need to decide whether you want one on sitting on your bathroom shelf, or need to take it with you to school or work. They all have large reservoirs and multiple tips for members of the family. Everyone can enjoy the benefits of a healthy mouth when using an oral irrigator.
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