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Now that I've grown up to be a perpetually forgetful adult, flossing is one of those hygiene things that I'm always telling myself I'll get to, but like, tomorrow. That is, until I discovered that the best water flossers get the job done just as well — if not better than — string floss. And, they practically do all the work for you.
Also referred to as water picks or oral irrigators, water flossers work by shooting thin streams of water between the teeth and along the gum line to remove food particles and plaque. They work especially well around hard-to-reach areas, like the backs of bridges, implants, crowns, or braces. People with sensitive gums often prefer using water flossers because they're gentler on gums but still effective at helping promote strong oral health.
At the end of the day, what you do with your teeth is your call. But if you want to maintain healthy teeth and gums, flossing is the way to go, and water flossers are a great alternative to string dental floss. Studies have also shown that water flossers may also help reduce bleeding, inflammation, and gingivitis — so there's never been a better excuse to ditch the floss.
If you're ready to make the switch, these seven water flossers are among the top-rated models out there.
1
A Powerful Waterpik With 10 Pressure Settings & Seven Interchangeable Tips
Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser, $59, Amazon
This Waterpik has 10 pressure settings, plus seven different flossing tips and a convenient one-minute timer with a 30-second pacer. The interchangeable tips include three Classic Jet Tips, one Plaque Seeker Tip, one Pik Pocket Tip, one Orthodontic Tip, and one Toothbrush Tip. This water flosser makes it super easy to get rid of bacteria and fight plaque buildup in one minute each day.
2
A Water Flosser With A Tongue Scraper That Keeps Your Whole Mouth Feeling Super Fresh
Belmint Water Flosser, Includes 3 Nozzles Plus BONUS Tongue Scraper, $38, Amazon
Beyond the fact that it delivers adjustable water pressure and pulsations that get in between teeth and below the gum line, one of the big advantages of this water flosser is that comes with a tongue scraper. Since tongues are loaded with gunk, which can be a major cause of bad breath, a scraper is a vital weapon in the fight against bad oral hygiene. This flosser also comes with three 350-degree rotating nozzles, and a two-minute auto-timer.
3
A Faucet-Powered Flosser That's Great For Saving Space
ProFloss Waterflosser, $15, Amazon
This is a funky little water flosser that unlike other popular models, isn't powered by batteries or electricity. Instead, just attach it to your faucet and let the water flow. And, if you're short on bathroom space, this flosser won't clutter up counters. "This flosser with a sink attachment is so easy to set up my wife completed it in [five minutes]," writes one reviewer.
4
A Brush & Flosser Combo That Can Handle All Your Dental Health Needs
Waterpik Complete Care Water Flosser and Sonic Toothbrush, $74, Amazon
There are some things traditional brushes and string floss just can't do enough of, and when it comes to getting rid of plaque of debris between teeth or below the gumline, it's better to invest in a combo flosser and sonic toothbrush like this than waste time with a manual solution. The flosser offers 90 seconds worth of water capacity, comes with multiple tips, and covered reservoir, while the toothbrush is super-fast and rechargeable, and comes with a travel case.
5
A Flosser That You'll Love If You've Got Dental Implants Or Braces
Dentalski Professional Water Flosser, $50, Amazon
Getting a dental implant or braces can be stressful as is, but when you think about how hard it can be to clean around these sensitive areas in the mouth, it's even worse. Luckily, this water flosser, which runs for 120 seconds and has adjustable water pressure, can help. It's great for improving gum health around implants and removing plaque around braces. It also works to massage and stimulate gums to improve circulation, and can leave your mouth feeling completely rejuvenated.
6
A Whisper-Quiet Flosser That Comes With Enough Tips To Share
H2ofloss Water Dental Flosser, $32, Amazon
If you want a water flosser that makes you feel like you just left the dentist's office, you'll want to give this one a try. With 12 tips, including one just for tongue cleaning, this flosser is also easy to share. It also comes with five pressure settings, a pause function, a water reservoir, and a whisper-quiet motor, so it won't sound like you've got an engine running when you're using this.
7
A Lightweight Flosser That's Great For Travel
SmarToiletries Water Flosser, $36, Amazon
"Great product, protects my teeth while traveling," comments one reviewer on this rechargeable, cordless water flosser, which is also BPA-free and FDA-approved to help support healthy teeth. This flosser reaches areas that string floss can't, and offers three pressure modes, four tips, and runs for 45 seconds to combat plaque and bacteria buildup.
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