Water Pik help

[way2serious]

My dentist suggested I get a Water Pik which I have done but am really struggling to get the hang of it. I am also finding it fairly painful and my teeth / gums ache painfully afterwards. I don’t know if it is because of cold water or the force. I haven’t dared use it on some of my most sensitive teeth and gums. Any words of wisdom would be great. Thanks

I got one last year. I use warm water and mostly just on the lowest setting. I keep my mouth open so I can hold it further away. I have flossed daily for over 20 years but have’t used regular floss once since getting my Pik.

Boil the kettle and when it is cool (I really mean the cool bit!) use that instead of cold water. Are you using the sensitive setting?

Also keep your mouth closed and go back to front. When you've done a quarter spit out the water before doing the next set.

Yes am going to try slightly warm water. I am using it on the lowest setting.
have just drenched the bathroom for a second night 😂Hoping to get the hang of it soon!

I use warm / hot water and you really have to close your mouth around it so the water kind of stays in your mouth and dribbles out the side 😅 I attempted it once with cold water...never again!

My dentist said to use it in the shower, which does minimise water everywhere.

I use warm (really quite warm) water and hold my head over the sink with my mouth open.

I also clean my teeth with Sensodyne first (then reapply the Sensodyne afterwards). I've found, over time, the sensitivity does lessen (but the warm/hot water does make a huge difference).

When I bought mine, the sales person smiled and said "stand in the shower the first few times you use it - it, err, takes a bit of getting used to"

I use warm water and still use it in the shower, rather than drown the bathroom.

I use tepid water but don’t make any mess , just keep your mouth closed .

What are the benefits of a water pick over floss, please?

Reading with interest !

@Grimchmas it gets the plaque from under the gum line.

Oh I love mine.

I bought a fancy one from Spotlight and the bastard thing would suddenly start up in the middle of the night. I bought a really cheap one after that called something like fairy wish and it’s been brilliant.

I've had mine a few weeks and the first time it made me bleed! Lowest setting as well.

Warm water, hang your face over the sink and let it dribble out. Doesn't hurt on the highest setting now but still getting the hang of not accidentally firing it in the sensitive bit under my tongue 😅 or shooting it down my throat and making myself gag lol

i use warm water and use it in the shower.

"I've had mine a few weeks and the first time it made me bleed! Lowest setting as well."

Yes, me too the first couple of times. But this was at the end of the lockdowns and I'd not been to a dentist/hygienist for a while. Thankfully, it doesn't happen anymore - I guess because all the crap that lurks under the gumline has been jetwashed out now

I use mine every day and love it. It's a great addition to brushing, tooth picks and flossing. I think you just have to persevere.

They are brilliant for cleaning jewellery too.

Were you a regular flosser before you got your Pik?

This and it’s also more thorough and a lot faster.

Will definitely be using warmer water from now on and hadn’t thought of using it in the shower but that’s a great idea too!

Nope 🫣

In which case, it’s nothing to do with using a water flosser. Everyone’s gums bleed the first few times they floss. When you use traditional floss for the first time, the stuff coming from between your teeth smells like poop. I have been a daily/twice-daily flosser for 20 years but still remember the smell from the very first time.

No need to use it in the shower, just keep your mouth closed a little so the water trickles out and lean over the sink.

1.Make sure youve got the right head on it
2.use warm water
3.use in the shower - you can buy a shower mirror
4.start with lowest setting
5.keep using floss/ interdental brushes
6.get electric toothbrush right on to gum margins
7.ignore the blood even if it looks likes loads of blood
8.persevere It will get better

from a hygienist

Mine plugs in so I cannot use it in the shower as it wouldn't reach.

I used it switched off to begin with, look in the mirror, get a feel for what the flosser feels like on the gums. Mine has a twisting part that allows me to direct the head of the pik instead of bending my wrist to get to the back of the teeth.

Once I felt like I knew what I was doing, warm water, face downwards into the sink, keep your mouth closed. Do not do it upright whilst looking in the mirror. I use mine in conjunction with those Tepe sticks, the waterpik replaces floss for me.