I was excited to receive the Waterpik Waterflosser – having never used one before, I was intrigued to see how well it worked at home, whether it would be simple to use and whether it would create more mess than good. The water flosser arrived well packed, with no excess packaging, plastic was limited so good for the environment and majority of the packaging could be recycled.
The water flosser comes with 4 different tips, 2 pressure settings, 45 seconds of water capacity, including a 2-year warranty. On the outside of the box, it claims that the water flosser uses a pressurised, pulsating stream of water, to remove particles and plaque stuck between teeth and along the gum line.
There is a quick start guide, which is very simple, clear with pictures to show the steps needed. In order to be able to use the device, it must be charged for a period of 24 hours prior to its first use through an adapter with a plug-in cable rather than a wireless charging cradle. Very simple instructions on how to set up the device for charging, how to adjust the water pressure settings, inserting the appropriate tip and the technique needed when using the device. There isn’t a charging indicator on the water flosser so it's unclear as to when the device is fully charged, and when the device needs to be recharged.
Once the water flosser was fully charged, I opted for the Classic Jet Tip for general use. Other tips available are the Orthodontic Tip (ideal for braces, as well as general use), the Plaque Seeker Tip (ideal for implants, crowns, bridges and retainers) and a Tongue Cleaner for fresher breath. The ergonomic design of the water flosser is very good – it fits into your hand well so you can get a good grip, it is very light and allows you to get the right angle for use. It was very easy to fill the water flosser with water. I was unsure at first whether it would enough water, however I soon found that it was just the right amount in order to avoid mess the more I used it. The water pressure is adjustable between 2 settings, and it was easy to find the right technique needed to follow the gumline and use in between teeth.
To begin with, it was quite messy with the amount of water splashing (this was mainly due to my inexperience of using a water flosser), however once I had used it a couple of times, mess was dramatically reduced. Even though water runs out quickly when you are using it, refilling is required more frequently but it is extremely straight forward and allows for the device to remain light. I found that the water pressure on the HI setting was very comfortable and the pressure did remove debris from in between teeth, which could be seen in the sink. Even the lower setting removed debris with ease.
I like the concept of it being cordless, as it means it can be stored and used anywhere in the bathroom, you are not constrained to being near a plug socket or adaptor. I have continued to use this on a daily basis and each time my mouth feels fresher from the deeper cleaner. It cleans painlessly and with ease, allowing you to reach areas that have sometimes been a struggle in the past. It has become part of my daily oral hygiene and I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who is interested in trying a water flosser for the first time.
