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Teeth water clean machine thingy

12 replies

Lndnmummy · 12/05/2020 22:31

So no idea what the name is, but does anyone have one? If so would you recommend it? Getting abit concerned about not being able to go to the hygienist as often as I should.

OP posts:
Nixee2231 · 12/05/2020 22:46

It's called a water flosser from Waterpik or air flosser from Philips.

The waterpik shoots water between your gums and cleans more thoroughly but it needs a large amount of water which means either a big countertop model with a large reservoir, or a compact model with a small reservoir you need to fill multiple times per use. It's also more intense than the air flosser and you have to either spit out the water after your mouth is full, or let your head hang and do it with your mouth open. So it can get very messy if you do it wrong.

The air flosser uses mostly air with small droplets of water so it's more compact and less intense but in my experience doesn't clean as well. (My last comparison is from 4-5 years ago, so it might be different now). It's easier to learn to use and less messy and uncomfortable at the beginning.

I've used both and I'm a huge fan of the Waterpik but there is definitely a big adjustment period for a lot of people. I've ended up spraying my face, the mirror, the ceiling, and pretty much everything in between when I was learning. And the feeling of the water was very intense even on the lowest setting. I also had to spit out the water and refill the reservoir very often because I was doing it too slowly.

Now I've been using it for years and I'm very used to it. There is no mess now and it's very quick and leaves my teeth completely clean so I dont ever need to use a normal floss. I'm very used to the sensation so I use a higher speed and dont even feel it. I have the older handheld model and I dont have to refill it per clean because I go fast enough now. I dont like having my mouth open en the water running out zo I need to spit it out about 1-2 times. So if you are willing to go through the adjustment period, the Waterpik is absolutely amazing, especially if you hate flossing like I do.

I have less to say about the air flosser because I used it for a lot less time but I was very impressed with how comfortable and compact it was. It was a lot easier to bring on vacation and using it was a very soft, pleasent sensation, a bit ticklish and weird at first! I did occasionally have to use normal floss afterwards and I remember I used to have issues with my gums more often and had more cleaning done so it definitely wasn't cleaning as well as the Waterpik.

They have more compact Waterpik models too now and the air flosser might be different room But they are still completely different, so if you can, try both and return the one you dont like

BatshitCrazyWoman · 13/05/2020 05:23

I had a Waterpik and agree with the PP. Mine also only last 5 months and then died completely (looling at the reviews on Amazon, this happened to lots of people) Angry

I probably will replace it because it's very efficient and my dentist said it's better than floss for me.

SpeckledyHen · 13/05/2020 06:23

I had a Waterpik and dumped it after a few months. My hygienist didn’t rate it either . I changed to TePe interdental sticks which are far better . Apart from a tiny bit of build up on my back teeth which I fail to get to properly they work brilliantly.

userxx · 13/05/2020 06:32

I had the waterpik and rated it, was quite bulky though. Anyway, I dropped it and it broke. Damn.

Nquartz · 13/05/2020 06:37

I got one from Lidl for about £20, had it a few months & it's still going strong. Noticeable gets bits of food out so seems to work!

EffOrf · 13/05/2020 06:40

I have a waterpik which I have put into hibernation until the dentists reopen properly as it was so efficient it washed out a filling which I had to have replaced, can’t risk that nowGrin

I did find it quite good though until the filling incident but had only used it for a couple of months so can’t comment on how well they last

Toomboom · 13/05/2020 06:58

I have used a waterpik for about 3 years. Made a big difference to my teeth and my dentist is also very happy about that. My dentist also recommends water flossers.

My first waterpik only lasted about 6 months, but the second one has kept going for well over two years and counting.

concernedforthefuture · 13/05/2020 07:13

I love my Waterpik. I bought it 10 years ago and it's still going strong!

Heatherjayne1972 · 13/05/2020 12:20

Hygienist here
Yes get one. There great. But also floss and/or tepe too

emma6776 · 13/05/2020 20:18

I use one that I got from amazon. Think it’s a brand called Pecham. Really good for £30. My waterpik broke within weeks. It’s a godsend as my teeth are super close together and I really struggle with floss (although I persevere!)

lotusbell · 13/05/2020 20:25

My hygienist advised using it in the shower because of the spray

Bloomburger · 13/05/2020 20:29

I have an airpick which I love but the hygienist said it's important to still floss.

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