Is Investing in Your Own Water Flosser Worth It?

It can feel like there’s a hot new gadget that pops up everyday. But when it concerns your health, it might actually be worth looking into. In this article, we’ll discuss the reasons you should or shouldn’t invest in a personal water flosser.

What is a Water Flosser?

Water flossers, most commonly known by the brand name Waterpik, are devices that are designed to use a high-veliocity spray of water to remove the bacteria and plaque in your teeth and on your gum line that your toothbrush can’t reach. They’ve been used in the dental industry since the late 1960s, primarily during routine tooth cleanings, and have been available for consumer purchase for almost just as long. Recently, water flossers have gained popularity for their consideration as an alternative to traditional dental flossing, rather than an addition to an already robust tooth-cleaning regimen.

Benefits of a Personal Water Flosser

Many benefits of a personal water flosser are similar, or the same, as traditional dental flossers. Primarily, they share the same function of removing plaque and food debris from between teeth. Both are also (increasingly) small and portable. If you’re someone who travels often, it’s just as easy to throw a couple of plastic flossers, a roll of floss, or your small water flosser into your toiletries bag. Finally, they don’t take very long. Both methods are easy to incorporate into your routine, because they only add five minutes at most. Flossing regularly allows you to limit the number of times you go to the dentist for tooth cleanings, as well. Many people who use one of these two methods only have to get their teeth cleaned twice a year.

Some benefits, however, are unique to Waterpiks/personal flossers.

1. They help to clean the tiniest tooth gaps. Patients with narrow teeth may not be able to move traditional floss between them. You also may have chips in your teeth or uneven teeth, which can also make traditional floss difficult. Waterpiks don’t struggle with either task, because nothing solid needs to go between your teeth.
2. They reduce gum bleeding. Patients with gum sensitivity or a history of gum disease might find that their gums often bleed when using a traditional flosser. Waterpiks are much gentler on your teeth, so this issue is more rare for patients who use them.

What do the experts say?

While the first person to ask for advice on what dental tools you should use is your dentist, the research on dental floss vs water flossers is also worth considering. In a 2024 study, researchers found that water flossers were more effective at plaque reduction in hard-to-reach places than traditional flossers.

“The reason could be that oral irrigation reduces pathogens that cause periodontitis and also reduces fibrin-like mesh that acts as a niche for plaque formation in hard-to-reach areas of tooth surfaces whereas it is difficult for a dental floss to reach between the tight contacts of the posterior teeth.”

Essentially, Waterpiks target the bacteria that causes periodontitis, a more advanced state of gingivitis. It also has the additional benefit that it keeps plaque from forming in the first place by removing the things it sticks to, rather than just removing the plaque that’s already there.

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Reasons you Might Prefer a Water Flosser

1. Accessibility. There are a number of reasons why a patient might struggle with the traditional flossing method, but some of them include people with arthritis, people recovering from injury, or people who’ve had a stroke.
2. Less waste. Using at least one plastic flosser every day contributes a lot of environmental waste. Even if you buy the rolls of floss, you still need to replace them at least once every month. Water flossers are typically a one-time purchase, the most updated models use chargers, not batteries.
3. Helping to establish a routine. It’s no secret that for many people, flossing is one of the first tasks that’s dropped after or during a busy day. It’s important to make sure your daily routine is as easy as possible so that the time and effort required doesn’t intimidate you. If your routine is too difficult, you’re more likely to avoid it when you’re stressed or depressed. Consider if having a water flosser would increase the likelihood that you’ll floss every day. If so, that may be reason enough to invest.
4. Dental-specific needs. Do you have a permanent retainer? Wear braces? Have non-removeable bridgework? Have crowns? Have dental implants? Any of these dental conditions can make it harder to floss with traditional floss. Braces and permanent retainers, for example, may require you to thread the floss through the metal. For these reasons, you might want to consider a water flosser.

Drawbacks of a Water Flosser

The price. Waterpiks specifically can range from $35-$110. Even on the lower end, that’s quite steep compared to most rolls of dental floss and a pack of 75 plastic flossers, which will run you about $4-6. And if you need to pay to replace batteries, that adds an extra cost on top of what you’ve already paid.

It can’t replace teeth brushing and mouth washing. As nice as they are, you won’t be able to replace any other aspects of your routine. In fact, some people use water flossers in addition to traditional floss, just because they can occasionally struggle to scrape plaque off the front of teeth.

It can’t be shared. Contrary to popular belief, you should not share water flossers, even if you have a separate head-bit for each person. If you bought a roll of floss or a bag of individual plastic flossers, those can be shared between a family, for example.

It can be an uncomfortable adjustment. Water flossing can feel weird, and can cause you to drool, which people with sensory issues or who don’t like a mess may not appreciate.

What Happens When You Don’t Floss

Flossing is just as necessary as brushing your teeth, which is why it’s so important to find the method that works for you. If you don’t floss, you invite a build-up of plague, food debris, and bacteria to form between your teeth and your gums. This can cause a number of problems, the most notable of which is gum disease, or gingivitis. It’s worth noting, however, that gum disease is reversible through flossing and brushing your teeth. Some others include:

• Increased risk of cavities
• Bad breath
• Cosmetic issues
• Bleeding gums
• Loose teeth (from gum recession)

Consider Asking Your Dentist

To avoid these problems, ask your dentist the next time you go for your semi-annual check-up. Your dentist won’t just be able to tell you about whether or not you’re flossing enough, but also about your flossing techniques. For example, you might be flossing your incisors perfectly but struggling to achieve the same result on your molars. Furthermore, if you’re still unsure of whether or not to invest in a personal water flosser, their opinion is the one you should trust the most.

Which Water Flosser Should I Buy?

If you and your dentist have decided that purchasing a personal water flosser is the best course of action for you, we’ll provide you with a quick breakdown of different Waterpik models so you can choose the best one for you based on your priorities and your budget.

The highest-rated countertop water flosser: the Waterpik Ion has a large tank size, but is quite compact, so it doesn’t take up a lot of space on the counter. It comes with 10 pressure settings and multiple heads, so the user gets a lot of control in their experience. The downside of this model is certainly the price, which is around $90.

A high-rated alternative: the Waterpik Aquarius, which will run you about $60. It has a bulkier design, and can’t run on batteries, so you must have an outlet available in your bathroom along with more space. Everything else, it shares with the Ion.

The highest-rated cordless water flosser: the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 3000 Cordless is a great choice for people looking for a portable option. You can use it in the shower and bring it on trips without having to worry about plugging it in. It costs around $70.

The highest-rated affordable option: the Waterpik Cordless Express is another cordless, handheld model. It’s only $38 dollars, and despite being less powerful, is a great deal for people looking to try water flossers to see if they’re the right fit.

Water Flossers in Sum

Water flossers are not much more effective than traditional flossing methods, but they can be a great alternative for people who dislike or struggle with the traditional flossing method. The prices vary depending on what you’re looking for, so make sure to ask yourself, and your dentist, how water flossers can help you.