An oral irrigator is the dental hygiene device that is used to remove the plaque and food particles that are trapped between the teeth.
Sometimes dental irrigator is called water flosser because it does the same job as dental floss. Often it is also called a Waterpik after one of the most popular brands, just like a copying machine is often called Xerox.
The flosser produces a stream of water or water an air mixture that flosses space between the teeth and gently massages the gums.
Let’s have a look at the best oral irrigator brands and models!
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Benefits of Dental Irrigators
The oral irrigators have been around for almost 50 years since the first prototype was developed in the early 1960ies. Since then dental care professionals have tested the device extensively and found out that it is nearly as effective as traditional dental floss. The added benefit of flosser is strengthening the gums and reducing the gum bleeding. It is proven that the stream of water the device produces massages gums very effectively and improves gums’ condition 50% better than regular dental floss.
Irrigators are also a very effective means of taking care of your crowns, dental implants, and orthodontic appliances like brackets. I was wearing braces for almost 3 years in my early 20-ies, and I remember how difficult it was to remove food like cookies from around the braces using a toothbrush. It will be an easy job if I have had an irrigator.
Using the irrigator will be a great addition to your oral care routine.
Best Oral Irrigator Brands
According to consumer votes, the most popular irrigator manufacturers are Waterpik, Philips, and Oral Breeze.
- Waterpik offers a number of countertop models and cordless handheld flossers as well as flosser and electric toothbrush combos. You can learn more about the product range from this brand in my Waterpik Water Flosser Review.
- Panasonic sells only a handful of models but they are well regarded and among the popular shoppers’ choices.
- Philips introduced its Philips Sonicare Airfloss in late 2010. Sonicare Airfloss is a portable flosser that uses patented Microburst technology that produces a mix of water droplets and air. Flossing with the Philips Sonicare Airfloss is less messy because it uses only one teaspoon of water per cleaning. In 2020 Philips is launching its second water flosser model, the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser.
- QuickBreeze and RediBreeze irrigators from Oral Breeze are permanently attached to your bathroom faucet. It is a low-cost solution with its benefits and drawbacks.
- Oral B irrigators are very popular in the UK and Germany, but you can find them in the US online stores as well. Search for Oral B Oxyjet and Oral B Aquacare.
Waterpik Oral Irrigators
Waterpik is the company that first invented the oral irrigator for use in dentistry in 1962.
Since then Waterpik has become a common household name for an oral irrigator, and people often refer to irrigators from other manufacturers as Panasonic waterpik, Jetpik waterpik, and so on.
In the USA, Waterpik mouth irrigators are extremely popular because they clean very thoroughly. Compared to competitors, these devices are positioned mainly in the upper class and are definitely worth the money. Waterpik units have no real weaknesses.
According to the experience of thousands of users, you can’t do much wrong with a Waterpik oral irrigator. The water pressure is higher than the competition & the quality of workmanship is consistently high.
You can learn more about flossers from this manufacture in my Waterpik water flosser review and comparison.
Panasonic Oral Irrigators
Now let’s take a look at Panasonic water flossers.
Panasonic cordless water flosser line offers affordable and reliable dental irrigators.
Panasonic EW-DJ10-A
The cheapest of these 3 models, the Panasonic EW-DJ10 portable water flosser has a maximum pump frequency of 1400 pulses a minute.
The pump type on this is a Jet, and it has 2 water pressure settings. The 5.5 oz reservoir capacity covers approximately 40 seconds of use. The water tank part of this is dishwasher safe, and this has a collapsible design as well. It is powered by an AA battery. The Panasonic flossers are covered by 2-year limited warranty.
Panasonic EW1211A
The Panasonic EW1211A Portable water irrigator has a maximum pump frequency of 1500 pulses per minute. It has three different settings for the pressure while the pump type is a Jet an Air-In. The reservoir capacity is 35 seconds, and the volume is 4 oz. It is powered by an Induction charge, RC. The water tank part is dishwasher safe.
Panasonic EW1611W
The Panasonic EW1611W dental irrigator has a maximum pump frequency of 1900 pulses a minute and comes with ten different pressure settings.
The pump uses ultrasonic technology. This water tank is also dishwater safe, but not the entire device. The reservoir has a capacity of 115 seconds and volume of 20 oz. It is powered by an AC current.
Oral Breeze
Oral Breeze dental irrigators attach to your faucet or shower and provide a powerful stream of fresh water every time you use it. You will never have to worry about the germs growing in the water reservoir.
Oral Breeze ShowerBreeze
This is a prevention-focused tool that helps to prevent oral diseases. It helps to strengthen the gums and prevents bleeding.
Shower Breeze oral irrigator is easy to use, to store and there is no risk of bacteria breeding inside it. The materials used to make it are also very high quality, which is chrome-plated brass.
The ShowerBreeze Water Jet dental irrigator helps to clean those areas that one can never reach with a brush or floss. This also has volume control for convenience of use which can be turned entirely on, completely off, or anywhere in between. This device is one that gives immediate results and provides excellent oral health.
Oral Breeze QuickBreeze
This faucet oral irrigator focuses on the prevention of oral diseases and helps to fight lots like halitosis and gingivitis. Considered to be part of a dental plan, this device helps to make the gums stronger and prevents bleeding in these areas.
The QuickBreeze can be very easily installed onto the sink without the help of other extra tools and detached just as quickly. It is convenient for there is no risk of bacteria growing inside it.
There are no loud motors which can be a nuisance, nor does it use any hard chemicals, making it safe. There is a valve that diverts the flow of water, and it has a 24-inch hose that funnels water narrowly with two heads.
Oral Breeze RediBreeze Oral Irrigator
Oral Breeze RediBreeze Oral Irrigator has been discontinued. Please check out the similar QuickBreeze model above!
Instafloss
Instafloss is the World’s first 10-second floss.
Water Flosser Design Features
Water Tank Location
There are two different types of water flossers.
The first type features a stationary water tank connected to the handpiece by a hose (Waterpik Ultra WP-100W for example). This way the handpiece is much lighter and therefore more comfortable to use. In addition, the tank capacity can be higher, because the user does not have to move or hold it constantly.
The second type of irrigator has the water tank integrated into the handle. These portable and cordless models have less water per tank filling available, but you do not have to deal with the hose.
In the end, it is a matter of taste and depending on personal factors which of the two variants you prefer. There are great oral irrigators in both camps.
Tank Capacity
Regardless of the type of tank, the available volume is an important factor when choosing an oral irrigator. The tank capacity is often measured in seconds instead of milliliters. Depending on the size and water flow, the tank capacity is usually between 20 seconds for handheld models and 90 seconds for large countertop models.
Oral Breeze flossers belong to a more exotic type of water flosser that has no water tank at all. These flossers connect directly to the bathroom faucet.
If you love to take your time and thoroughly rinse your teeth, you should either opt for a large tank countertop model or choose a tankless model.
Water Pressure Settings
The water pressure is an important factor for many people. If the pressure is too low, the cleaning performance suffers. If it is too high, using the flosser becomes uncomfortable. That is why most models feature multiple water pressure levels you can choose from to fit your own requirements.
The cheap portable devices offer 2-3 fixed operating modes, such as “soft”, “medium” and “hard”, but advanced countertop models let the water pressure to be adjusted in up to 10 levels.
Modes
Most mouth showers have two operating modes and allow normal flossing operation and a massage mode. While the former is intended for rinsing and cleaning the spaces between the teeth, the usually softer massage mode can be used to gently clean and massage the gums.
Some models also allow a pulsed water jet or air bubbles in the water.
Mouthwash Use
Many dentists recommend using mouthwash instead of pure water, with a mixture of water and medicinal mouthwashes. This not only removes food residue and plaque but also helps to fight bacteria and unpleasant odors more effectively.
However, not all flossers allow the use of such mouthwashes without risk of loss of warranty. Check out the description or ask the sales rep if you are shopping for a model that can be used with mouthwash.
Various Attachments and Accessories
The tip of the oral irrigator must be replaced after a certain period of time, similar to that of an electric toothbrush, usually after about 6 months. Many manufacturers do already include one or more tips with the device. This is especially useful if you want to share the mouth shower in the family anyway and everyone has their own mouthpiece.
Cases or bags are especially useful when traveling, as the mouth shower can be stored in your luggage in a space-saving and hygienic way. Such features are not decisive for the overall assessment of a mouth shower, but they are plus points.
FAQs
Q: Can the flosser be used with mouthwash?
A: Yes. A water flosser can be used with clear water, water and mouthwash mix, or even pure mouthwash. You should keep in mind that mouth wash can be sticky, so it is a good idea to rinse the nozzle now and then.
Q: Showerbreeze vs Waterpik – which one is better?
A: Coming soon!