It can be challenging to maintain good dental hygiene while wearing braces. Thus, many dentists advise using a Waterpik for braces.
A decent water flosser will assist you in maintaining a healthy, pain-free, and clean mouth, just like traditional floss, but without the hassle.
In this article, we’ll cover the following:
- What is the best Waterpik for braces?
- How to use a Waterpik orthodontics tip?
- What are the best water flossers for braces?
We hope this article will help you determine what Waterpik water flosser is right for you. Also, read our article on how to use a Waterpik.
In This Article
Why should you use a water flosser with braces?
It's usually enough to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day, whether you floss before or after brushing.
But braces make it more difficult to brush teeth well — it's especially more difficult to get behind the wires, and get into the creases between the brackets and your teeth.
All of this extra work also increases the time it takes to brush your teeth normally.
If you don't put in the additional effort to maintain appropriate dental hygiene, you run the danger of getting:
- Tooth decay
- Yellow or brown stained teeth
- Gum disease
- White spots on teeth
- Halitosis (bad breath)
Once your teeth are correctly aligned, maintaining good oral hygiene should be easier. Be careful not to cause yourself any further issues while you try to correct your misaligned teeth with braces.
How to use a Waterpik with braces
- Fill the water tank with lukewarm water
- Lean over the sink and aim it at the gumline
- Turn on the Waterpik
- Slowly move the tip along your gumline, pausing between teeth
- Close your lips to prevent splashing
- Let the water flow into the sink
Best water flossers for braces
While there are other options like orthodontic floss picks, water flossers are gaining popularity because they are very efficient and save you a lot of time on your daily oral hygiene routine.
An electric water flosser is a fantastic alternative if using regular dental floss is too challenging for you or your kid while wearing braces. These devices, sometimes known as oral irrigators, clean between teeth by ejecting a pressurized jet or pulse of water (and air, with certain types).
CariPRO, Waterpik, and Philips Airfloss are just a few of the well-known brands of water flossers for braces. These come in many different versions with a range of characteristics.
If you want to use it on your kids' teeth, make sure to look for one with an adjustable water pressure level.
CariPRO Cordless Water Flosser
If you are looking for a water flosser for braces, try the cariPRO cordless water flosser from Smile Brilliant.
It includes a special orthodontic flossing tip and 3 flossing modes. It's also waterproof so you can use it in the shower.
The main features of the cariPRO include:
- 4 specialty flossing tips, including one orthodontic flossing tip
- 3 flossing modes, including one soft mode for sensitive teeth
- Soft-touch with non-slip handle
- 360-degree rotating tips
- 60-day trial
- 2-year warranty
Read our full review on the cariPRO water flosser to find out more.
Best Waterpik for braces
The most well-known brand of water flossers is undoubtedly Waterpik. Same as other water flossers and oral irrigators on the market, a Waterpik also sprays water to flush out food particles from in between your teeth.
Since most Waterpik devices have orthodontic tips, they make excellent water flossers for braces. Here are some of the best Waterpiks for braces:
Waterpik Aquarius WP-660
If you are looking for a countertop water flosser, this can be a fantastic Waterpik for braces.
This device comes with a special orthodontic tip, which makes cleaning braces much easier.
Here are some of the features of this electric water flosser:
- Large water reservoir for thorough cleaning
- Approved by the ADA
- Three-year warranty
- 10 water pressure settings
- Seven flossing tips, including one special orthodontic tip for cleaning braces
Read our full review of the Waterpik WP-660.
Waterpik Cordless Advanced water flosser
The Waterpik Cordless Advanced WP-560 is a portable and waterproof water flosser that you can use in the shower or take with you on a vacation. This water flosser also comes with a special orthodontic tip, which also makes it a great Waterpik for braces.
Here are some of the features of this electric flosser:
- Magnetic cordless charging
- Three pressure settings
- Multiple tips, including a special orthodontic tip for cleaning braces
- ADA-approved
Read our full review on the Waterpik Cordless Advanced (WP-560)
How to use the Waterpik orthodontic tip
The Waterpik orthodontic tip attachment is an innovative tapered brush that is designed to remove hard-to-reach plaque around orthodontic brackets and wires. Plus, it helps in the removal of food particles and germs from beneath the gums and around the teeth.
It should be replaced every three months according to Waterpik.
Watch this video to learn more about how the Waterpik orthodontic tip works.
Conclusion
Regular floss can certainly get the job done, and indeed dentists will tell you that when it comes to water flossers vs flossing, water flossers aren't a replacement for floss.
But it takes much longer and is more difficult to thread it in and out of the gap under the archwire. Fortunately, there are a variety of products available that make flossing simple and easy, and can supplement your flossing while you have braces (and afterward too!)
Aside from making it easier to clean gums when you have braces, there are a lot of other Waterpik benefits that you can read about too!
FAQs
What are the best water picks for braces?
If you’re looking for a Waterpik for braces, choose one with an orthodontic tip. Our recommendations are the Waterpik Aquarius or the Waterpik Cordless Advanced.
What are the best flossers for braces?
When looking for a water flosser for braces, we recommend selecting one that comes with an orthodontic tip. Our recommendations are the cariPRO cordless or a Waterpik water flosser.
Is a Waterpik good for braces?
Waterpik water flossers have shown to be 3 times more effective than string floss for orthodontic patients. Using a water flosser is also much faster and easier.
Can a Waterpik replace flossing with braces?
A Waterpik may help in the removal of food particles from your teeth. Particularly while wearing braces, it is a fantastic substitute for conventional string flossing.
What is the best cordless Waterpik for braces?
We recommend the Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser. It comes with an orthodontic tip attachment and different pressure settings. Overall it's a fantastic portable device.
Which Waterpik is best for braces?
We recommend the Waterpik Aquarius as a countertop water flosser, or the Waterpik Cordless Advanced as a portable device. They both come with an orthodontic tip and are great Waterpiks for braces.
Waterpik.com: Waterpik Aquarius water flosser. Consulted 24th june 2022
Waterpik.com: Waterpik® Water Flosser: 3 Times as Effective as String Floss for Orthodontic Patients. Consulted 24th june 2022