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The Kitchen Table

Water-Pik, Anyone?

9 years ago

My dental hygienist has strongly suggested that I buy a Water-Pik, so I looked on Amazon expecting there to be one or 2 choices of models. Not so!

I'm not sure which to buy. Do you have a Water-Pik and, if so, what model? Do you like it? Use it? Wish you'd bought a different model?

Thanks for any advice.

Suzieque

Comments (15)

marie_ndcal
9 years ago
DH used one for several years, I did for awhile and then got lazy. Because my teeth are so close together it probably would help, but my hygienist prefers flossing. Did your hygienist suggest this along with flossing?
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
9 years ago
Mine prefers flossing, too. Why the water-pik; I'm curious?
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jkayd_il5
9 years ago
I use one. When it was broken I had my checkup and had two cavities. I bought a new one and no cavities last checkup. I had a big one that sit on my counter but because we have a motorhome and didn't have room for the big one I bought a small battery operated Panasonic. Yes, I do have to buy new batteries but they cost less than the $100+ we pay to get a cavity fixed.
Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
I'm going to speculate what the answer is - I think flossing is the preferred way to go, but some people don't or won't floss twice a day when teeth are brushed. For those, a Water Pik is suggested because using one is better than doing nothing for the between teeth spaces.

When flossing, one is supposed to go below the gum line along each tooth. I'd guess that most Water Pik users don't aim the spray there. Also, a water spray would be less effective than a physical scraping as with floss.
lisa_fla
9 years ago
I got braces in September and was planning on buying a waterpic but happened to see the Sonicare Air Flosser and bought that instead. I just had my teeth cleaned and the hygienist said I am doing a good job!
YogaLady1948
9 years ago
My husband has used a water pik for years, it was suggest by his hygienist. And not because he was lazy, because she feels if you use it right it does a better job. He does not get cavities, she also says his teeth and gums are perfect. He uses peroxide and baking soda in it. I am way too lazy to use it and floss while watching tv.
juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
9 years ago
I use a Waterpik WP-100 Ultra Water Flosser. If it broke today, I'd immediately buy another.

I had never used one until about 2 years ago when my hygienist commented that I might have to see a periodontist. All along my checkups had been "fine" so this was totally unexpected. That's when I got the Waterpik.

I use it, an electric toothbrush, and also do manual flossing usually twice a day. It's also helped with my diet because after I've gone through my routine, I don't want to eat and have to do it all over again!

The Waterpik came with six tips, four of which I've never used. The other 2 are identical and are the "classic" tips. It also has 10 settings for adjusting the water pressure - #8 works best for me. These settings are on the tank and not in the handle.

As you can see from the picture, a tank holds the water. I'm methodical about going along the gum line and each tooth space so I need about 1 1/2 tanks for each session. It's also refreshing to rinse the top of the mouth and the soft tissue between the mouth and both upper and lower gums.

This is a plug in model, not battery.

There's been no further mention of a periodontist for me and the dental areas of concern have lessened in number and severity.

Your query did cause me to look at other models available and I see that there are several tank types. I see some offer a "massage" option and with one the water pressure adjustment is on the hand unit. Personally I wouldn't opt for the cordless "professional" one with the water "tank" in the handle. Besides being awkward and heavy, I would have to refill that one multiple times!

Here is a link that might be useful: Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser
suzieque
Original Author
9 years ago
I floss every night. The suggestion for the Water-pik was for in addition to the flossing. I have lots of crowns and bridges so that's the reason she suggested it.

Juneroses, thanks for the specifics. I'll look into that model.

Suzieque
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
9 years ago
Suzieque, that makes perfect sense. I have a bridge that is a pain to keep clean.

Yoga, are you serious about flossing your teeth when watching TV? Yikes, I get queasy at the thought.
blubird
9 years ago
I would have written exactly what juneroses did...with the exact same model of waterpik. My husband and I look forward to using it after we use our electric toothbrushes. Make sure you use warm water...my DIL tried it the first time but didn't read the directions and used cold water...a little shocking. The hygienist also recommended adding a splash of mouthwash to the water. Our checkups have been much improved since adding the waterpik to our routine. I still floss regularly because it helps to toughen up the gums, but the waterpik feels wonderful and we wouldn't hesitate to replace it if it ever broke.
suzieque
Original Author
9 years ago
Ok! Thanks blubird and juneroses! I just clicked "buy" on that one on Amazon and it'll be on its way to me soon.

Thanks to everyone else, too, for your input.

Suzieque
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
9 years ago
I have a tank type water pic have had it for years however when we moved here it has never shown it's head. I have no idea where it is. I can only guess it is in a box in the garage that is buried. I can not imagine why the packers would have put it in a box not with the bathroom stuff.
So I haven't had one to use and have been threatening to buy a new one.

I would like to look into the ones that have the attachment for use in sinus rinsing. I use netti pots and my doctor told me that the water pic attachment works as well or better. The options are to buy a regular waterpic and buy the sinus attachment or buy a stand alone sinus irrigation system.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinusense
marilyn_c
9 years ago
I have full dental implants and when I had them done, my dentist gave me a water pik water flosser ultra and also a portable one. I only used the portable one once....the dog chewed up the cord. I do use the other one every day. I am also supposed to floss, but I have a hard time flossing...because I have arches of teeth, top and bottom, attached to the implants. Difficult for me to get behind them. Evidently, I am doing a good job with the water pik because my implants stay clean. I also get them cleaned by the dentist, every 3 months. My "teeth", I just brush, like regular teeth.
juellie1962
9 years ago
I had the same model the other ladies suggested. Then it broke. I cheaped out and bought the battery operated one. I'm ticked that I wasted 34.00 on it! It works ok, but I don't feel that the water tank ever really dries out....and that grosses me out. I floss and waterpik, can't hurt! :)
Tally
9 years ago
We used to use Water Piks until my new dentist discouraged it. He said it's not good for crowns - it can erode the cement at the base of a crown and open up an entry for bacteria to enter underneath = potential root canal down the road :(

Made sense to me. He stands by good old flossing and an electric toothbrush.

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