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Original poster

Have you got a water flosser? Are they good?

35 replies

Mushroomwithaview · 15/10/2023 06:26

My teeth are really really close together. I can only just work regular floss into the gaps. Would a water flosser work for me do you think?

OP posts:
SpringIntoChaos · 15/10/2023 06:37

I bought one for the same reason OP. I just can't get on with it to be honest. It's messy, difficult to use and the water runs out so quickly it takes 4 refills each time. I did persevere for a while, thinking it was just me being a bit of a tit when using it, but I gave up after a few weeks after being painfully blasted in the eye one too many times 🤦‍♀️

Parakeetamol · 15/10/2023 06:39

Same as pp..I also found I had to fill with warm water otherwise it caused sensitivity. Messy, a faff.

Funderthighs · 15/10/2023 06:40

I’ve been using one for several years and love mine. There’s definitely a knack to using them without getting soaked. A friend of mine uses hers in the shower. I lean forward over the bathroom wash basin and have my mouth partially open. That way I don’t get wet and all the water dribbles straight out.

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Dental health
muddyford · 15/10/2023 06:41

Husband had one but found it a real faff and very messy, flooding the bathroom at every use. I hear they are good for washing out ear wax though!

nomorespaghetti · 15/10/2023 06:43

I quite like mine. It’s a plug in one with a large tank, so I don’t have to refill it. Lean over the sink with your mouth slightly open to let the water dribble out, and it’s not messy at all. I don’t really think it’s comparable to flossing though in terms of cleaning between the gaps. I use it before flossing/interdental brushing to get rid of any big stuck bits.

Pinkflamingopants · 15/10/2023 06:46

I love mine! I use warm water and do it over the sink with mouth partially open. It’s amazing what comes out, even after brushing my teeth for a solid 2 mins.

YireosDodeAver · 15/10/2023 06:47

I had a really brilliant Philips Air Flosser which I bought a few years ago and really liked but it just used a small reservoir of water or mouthwash and squirted a mix of high pressure air and a little liquid - each doing the whole mouth only created less than a mouthfull of mouthwash so very little mess. But it broke and I haven't bougt a replacement yet because I only see reviews like pp talking about mess and large reservoirs. Does anything like my old airflosser still exist?

TerfTalking · 15/10/2023 06:52

I love mine too, I have a waterpik, i fill it with warm water and mouthwash and use it after flossing. I still find it removes small amounts of food. Leaves my mouth feeling great and dentist says my oral hygiene is excellent. The charge lasts weeks.

Floralovesflowers · 15/10/2023 06:52

I use a Waterpik cordless one, it's a knack for sure not to get soaked but I do as others & lean over the basin, also use warm water.

It was recommended by my dentist to use once a week & the lowest setting; she said recently there is a definite improvement in my gum health & I get way less plaque.

Doyouthinktheyknow · 15/10/2023 06:53

I bought a water glosser but really struggle with it!

I feel like I’m drowning every time I use it and it’s a pain to refill.

My dentist suggested using it in the shower, I need to try that.

shakeitoffsis · 15/10/2023 07:33

Dental nurse here we always advise patients to use the water flosser in the shower to prevent the mess, I haven't got one though and I wouldn't bother!

DoraChance · 15/10/2023 07:38

I liked mine until it flossed a filling out, binned it after that!

Freysimo · 15/10/2023 07:41

I asked my dental hygienist about this and she said they're not worth it and don't beat regular flossing and use of interdental brushes. I have gum disease and see her three times a year. My gum health has really improved, she's far more use to me than a dentist!

SkyFullofStars1975 · 15/10/2023 07:44

I didn't find it as good as using floss sticks, and had to use warm water in it as it made my teeth hurt otherwise. It was too much of a faff and messy.

letstrythatagain · 15/10/2023 07:45

Mine is great and my dental hygiene has really improved with it. I don't find it messy at all apart from the first use when I had to get used to it. I really don't like normal floss as I find they get stuck in my teeth so this is great for me.

DiscoBeat · 15/10/2023 07:52

Following as my dentist advised me to buy one.

2jacqi · 15/10/2023 08:09

i bought one for my grand daughter when she had her braces fitted. she seems to use it but i also bought those tiny brush things too. with braces in it does seem rather difficult to use the brushes and the floss is impossible so really the only alternative is the water flosser. i do agree that the water tends to go everywhere though

Whoknowswhatanymore · 15/10/2023 08:11

My dentist advised me to get one and it really has helped massively to prevent plaque build up. It can be messy but once you get the knack of it, it’s really easy to use. Mine is only a cheap one from Amazon, has three settings and hardly ever needs charging. Like a pp said, it’s amazing what comes out even after brushing! Teeth feel really clean afterwards too.

SisyphusDad · 15/10/2023 08:23

I have a Waterpik that I use in the shower. One tank of warm water on max setting is just enough for a full clean, and it's certainly good for removing bits of food. I've been using it for a couple of years now and my dentist has no problems with my dental hygiene.

Heatherjayne1972 · 15/10/2023 08:43

Yes they’re ok
use it in the shower tho - contains the mess
use a shower mirror.

you should also floss or use the bottle brushes as normal

trulyunruly01 · 15/10/2023 08:48

Using my (bought on Amazon) water flosser has brought my gums up 2 points on the scale the dentists use to measure gum disease.
Certain areas were a 4 this time last year and I had to have a procedure to clear out some pockets that had developed. I got a water flosser for Xmas.
Now I am a 2 all round.

Mouse82 · 15/10/2023 08:50

Love mine. Took me a little bit to get used to it and slowly adjusted the water pressure.

Loubelle70 · 15/10/2023 08:54

I am a gadget person and bought one but cant get on with it...im just sticking with interdental brushes

VeronicaBeccabunga · 15/10/2023 08:57

Another fan here, another vote for leaning over the hand basin, towel round shoulders to begin with until you learn the knack.

fancyfrogs · 15/10/2023 09:04

I had one when I had fixed braces and it was great. Haven't used it for a couple of years now though but I did really like it. Might get a new one after this thread!