Have Braces? Check Out These Waterpik Flossers!

If you’re like me, your dentist entreats you to floss as regularly as you brush. With braces, this can be difficult with normal dental floss. The string gets caught between your braces, you might bleed and sometimes there just isn’t enough room.

I loved waxed, minty floss before, but since I’ve gotten braces it just doesn’t work as well. I’ve even tried the toothpick flossers, but I never felt they did a very good job.

Then I discovered Waterpik flossers. My dentist says they’re just as effective, and I haven’t experienced a moment of discomfort. If you’re looking for an easier and more comfortable way to remove plaque from between your braces, keep reading to learn more about what Waterpiks are, how they can help you and what you should look for when buying one.

I’ve also included reviews of what I believe to be the best Waterpik for braces. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed by any of them!

Top 3 Waterpiks for Braces Comparison

Waterpik Ultra WP100 Water Flosser

Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser WP-660

Waterpik Cordless and Nano Sonic Toothbrush WP-440

3 year warranty

3 year warranty

2 year warranty

Reservoir Capacity of 90+ seconds

Reservoir Capacity of 90+ seconds

Reservoir Capacity of 45+ seconds

6 Tips:

  • 2 Standard jet tips
  • 1 Tongue cleaner tip
  • 1 Pik pocket tip
  • 1 Orthodontic tip
  • 1 Toothbrush tip

7 Tips:

  • 3 Jet tips
  • 1 Toothbrush tip
  • 1 Plaque seeker tip
  • 1 Pik pocket tip
  • 1 Orthodontic tip

4 Tips:

  • 2 Jet tips
  • 1 Plaque seeker tip
  • 1 Orthodontic tip

Pros & Cons of a Waterpik for Those with Braces

PROS

  • Waterpiks are 52% more effective than traditional floss when it comes to reducing gingivitis. They are a lot better at getting plaque and food particles that hide just inside the gum line, the main causes of this disease.
  • Waterpiks are gentler on gums and cause less bleeding, which is great if you already feel discomfort from tight braces or sensitive gums.
  • They are better able to get to hard-to-reach areas where floss can’t go. This is especially true for those who wear braces or suffer from gum disease and need that extra coverage.

CONS

  • A good Waterpik can be expensive. This is one of the biggest reasons many cite for not using a Waterpik, though after the initial investment, there are only inexpensive replacement tips to consider.
  • It’s still recommended to use floss to scrape away stubborn plaque. Using a Waterpik after flossing is considered one of the best ways to truly clean your mouth. Floss loosens up plaque and sticky food residue while the jet of water flushes it away!

Choosing a Waterpik for Braces – Buying Tips

If you’ve decided that a Waterpik will benefit you and your oral health, the next question is, which one should you get? There are many factors to consider, especially if you have braces. However, it’s important that you make your decision based on your personal needs, rather than just choosing the first one you see.

Countertop or Cordless?

The first consideration before buying a Waterpik is how much space you have. Luckily, you have options. If you have a lot of room, a countertop model is great! The water reservoir is larger, meaning you don’t have to refill as often, and you never need to worry about the batteries dying in the middle of your routine!

If you don’t have a lot of space, or you travel a lot and want your Waterpik to travel with you, the cordless option is better. I can’t imagine flossing without one anymore, so I like to have the portable option. Even when I’m not home, I’m still able to clean around my braces.

Interchangeable Tips

As you’re aware, with braces, the spaces between teeth tend to change. That’s why you want to be able to change the tip on your Waterpik easily and also have a range of options. Sometimes a larger tip is perfect, but just a month later you will need a smaller gauge one.

Being able to adapt your flosser to your changing mouth is crucial to staying on top of your oral hygiene. Choose one that comes with a variety of changeable tips, so you’ll always be prepared.

Water Pressure

Waterpiks rely on pulsating jets of water in order to clean your teeth and gums, but what about changes in water pressure? Some only have one or two pressure settings, while others give you up to ten! For food particles that have become caught on brackets or wires, being able to apply greater water pressure helps get them out without damaging your orthodontic equipment.

Typically, the cordless Waterpiks have fewer pressure settings, in order to make the best use out of their smaller water reservoirs. That’s because higher water pressure equals more water being used in a shorter amount of time.

These are all things you should keep in mind when deciding which Waterpik is right for you. As for me, I enjoy having the freedom of a cordless flosser, but I also value higher pressure settings and a bigger selection of tips. Keep reading for my top three Waterpik choices and see which one will work best for you!

Best ​Waterpik for Braces Reviews

This Waterpik is amazing! It’s a countertop version, so it does have to be plugged in while in use, but the cord is quite long, so you won’t have to bend at an awkward angle just to use it. It also has a large water tank, which gives you about a minute and a half of continuous water flow.

One great thing about this model is that it comes with different tips. They’re super easy to switch out, and you even get one specifically designed for orthodontic equipment. It has a softer rubber tip that is able to get into even the tightest spaces. All of these can be stored in the little storage area under the lid of the water tank, so you never have to worry about losing them.

PROS:

  • 10 different pressure settings
  • 6 interchangeable tips included
  • Has a handy tip storage area in the lid of the reservoir

CONS:

  • Can be a little messy if you aren’t used to using a Waterpik
  • Pause button gets stuck easily

This is one of the newer Waterpik models, and it is guaranteed not to disappoint. It’s a little smaller than the Waterpik Ultra, but has the same tank capacity and ten different pressure settings. Like the Ultra, you also get a tip storage area under the lid of the water reservoir. Not only that, but it comes with seven different interchangeable tips! Including the orthodontic tip that is designed especially to clean around braces.

One nice addition to the Waterpik Aquarius is that rather than just having a pause button on the handle, you get a full on-off switch. This makes it easier to control how much water you’re using and creates less of a mess because you don’t have to switch a button on the console to turn off the water jet!

This one also comes with the orthodontic tip, and an all-new “massage mode”. Fill up the tank with warm water and use softer pressure to ease some discomfort from braces that are too tight. It’s a great form of relaxation after you’ve blasted all the food particles away!

PROS:

  • 7 interchangeable tips and 10 pressure settings
  • On-off switch on handle
  • Smaller, more streamlined design

CONS:

  • A little more expensive than other models
  • Only two tips can be stored in the lid storage area

This model is great because you not only get a handy, portable water flosser, but also a fantastic toothbrush! In my opinion, it is a great option for people with braces who spend time away from home. It is also important to choose a toothbrush that is suitable for braces, which gives this Waterpik model a thumbs up. If you haven’t made the switch to an electric toothbrush by now, this may be the perfect set for you. They leave your mouth feeling so much cleaner than a regular toothbrush, and when you combine that power with a Waterpik, you’ll be amazed at how healthy and clean your whole mouth feels!

This flosser is great for its small size and durability, though the water reservoir only lasts for about 45 seconds. However, this is a blessing for me, as it gives me an idea of when to start flossing my top teeth! There are only two pressure settings, but when combined with the Nano Sonic toothbrush, they should be more than enough. You also get a rechargeable battery and four interchangeable tips.

PROS:

  • Portable, perfect for travel or those with smaller bathrooms
  • Combination of electric toothbrush and h20 flosser is convenient

CONS:

  • Water lasts just 45 seconds
  • Only two pressure settings
  • Heavier than countertop Waterpik handle

Conclusion

Having braces comes with its own set of problems, but I don’t think flossing should be one of them. If you want a fantastic alternative to traditional floss, the Waterpik is ideal. With its superior cleaning capabilities and ability to get even the tiniest and most stubborn food particles from between your braces and teeth, once you try one you’ll never go back.

Now that you know what to look for in a Waterpik, you can make the best decision for your needs, whether that’s based on size, number of accessories or how easy it is to use. In my opinion, the Waterpik Ultra is the best water flosser for braces with the orthodontic tip, but you may find the other choices great for your personal preferences.

For a more general look at water flossers, check out our top water flosser reviews here!

Or maybe you'd rather stick to Waterpik flossers only. We've reviewed those as well.

Aurora is the lead editor here at pearlywhytes.com. She is one of those people who actually likes going to the dentist. She loves to write about anything health related, but oral health is her most passionate topic. Her free time is spent partaking in family activities and experimenting in the kitchen.

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