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When it comes to dental hygiene, you’ve probably got the brushing-your-teeth part down, but you may not have quite nailed flossing yet. Let’s be honest: It’s hard to remember to do, and it’s kind of a pain. Thankfully, there's a gadget that makes it a lot easier—the water flosser. There are many products to choose from and the best water flosser for you depends on your individual needs, but generally the ones that dentists approve of bear the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
It shows they have undergone rigorous testing and research to ensure that they do what they claim safely and effectively, says Ruchi K. Sahota, DDS, a family dentist in Freemont, California.
Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let's get the basics straight first: A water flosser, also known as an oral irrigator, uses a highly pressurized, pulsating stream of water to remove food, plaque, and debris from your teeth and gums. Many dentists agree that water flossers greatly reduce existing gingivitis and improve overall gum health.
For people who struggle to reach certain areas of their mouth with traditional string floss, like those with braces or bridges, a water flosser is a great option, says Bobbi Stanley, DDS, a general and cosmetic dentist and the owner of Stanley Dentistry in Cary, North Carolina. It’s also good for those who like the feeling of the water spray and have difficulty maneuvering string floss.
Check out some of the best water flossers below:
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BEST FOR THOSE WHO LIVE ALONE
ToiletTree Products Oral Irrigator by Poseidon
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BEST CORDLESS
Oral-B Water Flosser Advanced
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And once a day is really all you need to get the job done. “Using the water flosser before you brush at night is a great way to knock out any food debris from the day and give your toothbrush a more effective role in cleaning your teeth,” Dr. Stanley says.
Ultimately, whichever you choose, keep your dentist in the loop.“This helps your dentist or hygienist ensure that the switch was worth it, and that you are utilizing the new dental product correctly,” Dr. Sahota says.
Want to get the perks of a water flosser but have no clue which one to buy? Here are nine ADA-approved water flossers recommended by dentists for all kinds of needs, whether you're in the market for one for your whole family, looking for something that'll work with the hardware in your mouth, or an on-the-go option when you travel.
Meet the experts: Bobbi Stanley, DDS, is a general and cosmetic dentist and the owner of Stanley Dentistry in Cary, North Carolina. Ruchi K. Sahota, DDS, is a family dentist in Freemont, California.
Pros
- Features more pressure settings than other brands
- Available in different colors
- Good for braces
Cons
- Noisier than other brands
If you're prone to sensitivity when you floss, the Waterpik Aquarius is the best tool for comfort. It has 10 (!!!) pressure settings you can play around with until you find the perfect fit for you. This water flosser also comes with seven interchangeable tips that make it suitable for everyone to use, whether you have big or small teeth, braces, or crowns.
Type | Countertop |
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Pressure Settings | 10 |
Tips Included | 7 |
Water Capacity | 22 fl. oz. |
Pros
- Features six pressure settings
- Comes with a two-year warranty
Cons
- The on/off switch is stiff and awkwardly placed
With modern water flossers, it's less about cleaning capabilities (most of them are quite powerful) and more about each person's unique needs, says Dr. Stanley.
“For example, a lot of patients want to buy water flossers for their whole family, but they don't want to buy an individual flosser for each member, which is why this countertop oral irrigator is a great option,” she notes. It has 12 multifunctional tips and six pressure settings, holding 800 mL of water. Plus, reviewers love how quiet it is.
Type | Countertop |
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Pressure Settings | 6 |
Tips Included | 12 |
Water Capacity | 800 mL |
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BEST FOR THOSE WHO LIVE ALONE
ToiletTree Products Oral Irrigator by Poseidon
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BEST FOR THOSE WHO LIVE ALONE
ToiletTree Products Oral Irrigator by Poseidon
Cons
- Not good for families
- Fewer pressure settings compared to other brands
- Only comes with two tips
This oral irrigator part comes with rechargeable batteries and a small, more portable reservoir that's connected to the tip. With three pressure modes, little noise, and two additional tips, this flosser is great for solo use and small bathrooms. Flossing is made fun with this water flosser, a reviewer says.
Type | Cordless |
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Pressure Settings | 3 |
Tips Included | 2 |
Water Capacity | 150 mL |
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BEST FOR PEOPLE WITH BRACES
Belmint Countertop Oral Irrigator
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BEST FOR PEOPLE WITH BRACES
Belmint Countertop Oral Irrigator
Pros
- Good for braces and bridges
- Large water capacity
- Anti-slip and anti-leak
- Comes with many tips and a tongue scraper
Cons
- Not good for small counter spaces
This water flosser is a good choice if you’ve currently got hardware in your mouth, like braces. It comes with three interchangeable nozzles, 10 pressure settings, eight tips, and a tongue scraper to nix bacteria and reduce bad breath. Plus, it's a great value for the price!
Type | Countertop |
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Pressure Settings | 10 |
Tips Included | 8 |
Water Capacity | 600 mL |
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Best For Easy Cleaning
Bestope Cordless Water Flosser
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Best For Easy Cleaning
Bestope Cordless Water Flosser
Pros
- Cordless and easy to clean
- Doesn't need to be charged frequently
- Good for travel
Cons
- Water pressure changes depending on how you tilt
With eight different wet flossing tips that can be rotated 360 degrees, this device allows you to get to the hard-to-reach areas. It also has five different pressure modes, so you can tailor the intensity however you like. This compact, cordless water flosser is also super easy to clean, thanks to a reservoir that stores up to 300 mL of water at a time, and holds a charge for 30 days.
Type | Cordless |
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Pressure Settings | 5 |
Tips Included | 6 |
Water Capacity | 300 mL |
Pros
- Convenient
- Easy to install
Cons
- The hose comes off often
- Fewer tip options than other brands
You can attach this water flosser directly to your shower head, making for more available sink counter space and less of a mess to clean up. Focused on preventing conditions like gingivitis and periodontal disease, this flosser comes with two tips.
Since this easy-to-use water flosser is attached to a water source, you also don’t have to deal with refilling a reservoir tank. You can customize the pressure levels via a dimmer switch.
Type | Shower |
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Pressure Settings | Unspecified |
Tips Included | 2 |
Water Capacity | N/A |
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Pros
- Travel-friendly
- Stays charged for months at a time
- Quiet
Cons
- Pressure is too intense sometimes
- Fewer pressure settings than other brands
This cordless option comes with an attached reservoir, making it less cumbersome and more compact. Made with three pressure settings (soft, pulse, and normal)—all of which are quiet—four clean modes, and a rechargeable lithium battery, which lasts up to 21 days, this water flosser is a good value. Finally, it comes with a carrying bag for easy travel.
Type | Cordless |
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Pressure Settings | 4 |
Tips Included | 4 |
Water Capacity | 300 mL |
Pros
- Great water pressure
- Easy to use
- Has a gum massage option
Cons
- On the pricier side
- Only has three pressure settings
Oral-B has a reputation of providing reliable and affordable dental products, and its water flosser is no exception. This portable, cordless water flosser deep-cleans and detoxifies below the gumline with water enriched with micro-bubbles of air to reduce plaque bacteria.
It also offers different stream options, including multi-jet for all-around clean, focused for targeted cleaning, and rotational for a gum massage.
Type | Cordless |
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Pressure Settings | 3 |
Tips Included | 2 |
Water Capacity | 4 oz. |
Pros
- Easy to charge
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- Big size
- Fewer pressure settings than other brands
Great for on-the-go flossing, this cordless flosser is commonly recommended for people who have braces, implants, and other dental work done. This flosser has magnetic charging capability and comes with four tips, three pressure settings, a removable reservoir, and a travel storage bag. It's global voltage-compatible, so you can bring it with you wherever you go.
As an added bonus, its waterproof design makes it easy to use in the shower for when you want to multitask.
Type | Cordless |
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Pressure Settings | 3 |
Tips Included | 4 |
Water Capacity | 7 oz. |
Emilia Benton
Contributing Writer
Emilia Benton is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor. In addition to Runner's World, she has contributed health, fitness and wellness content to Women's Health, SELF, Prevention, Healthline, and the Houston Chronicle, among other publications. She is also an 11-time marathoner, a USATF Level 1-certified running coach, and an avid traveler.
Addison Aloian
Assistant Love & Life Editor
Addison Aloian (she/her) is the assistant love & life editor at Women’s Health. Outside of topics related to lifestyle, relationships, and dating, she also loves covering fitness and style. In her free time, she enjoys lifting weights at the gym, reading mystery and romance novels, watching (and critiquing!) the latest movies that have garnered Oscars buzz, and wandering around the West Village in New York City. In addition to Women's Health, her work has also appeared in Allure, StyleCaster, L'Officiel USA, V Magazine, VMAN, and more.