Product Review: The Best Waterpik for Braces

Best waterpik for braces

A water flosser like a Waterpik can be a huge asset when you have metal braces. Anyone who’s had metal braces will tell you that they are difficult to keep clean. Even when you eat foods from the approved list, your braces will catch and hold on not just to particles, but whole chunks of food. And because toothbrushes are not exactly designed to clean under wires and around brackets, they are rarely the best tool for getting all of the food particles and the bacteria that feeds on food particles out of your mouth.

What Is a Waterpik?

A Waterpik is a brand of water flosser. Water flossers essentially shoot a stream of pressurized water out of a narrow head, to help power wash away germs and food particles. Because you can turn the Waterpik in any direction and shoot water into hard to reach areas, it is much, much easier clean in between your teeth and between the teeth and the brackets and wire. This is a great tool for patients who have trouble cleaning their teeth or simply do not have enough time to follow proper cleaning protocol with the tools that they have. There are a wide variety of Waterpiks to choose from. Which one is right for you and your braces? 

Best Waterpik for Braces

There are six different kinds of Waterpiks available. Each one has its own features that might make it more or less attractive for your needs. Here is an overview of the different kinds of water flossers this brands offers and their positives and negatives:

1. Complete Care WP-9000

This is the first and most convenient of the Waterpik line. It’s designed to be comprehensive, with a sonic toothbrush and water flosser attached to the same unit. A sonic toothbrush can be safely used on braces, and some orthodontists even recommend getting this kind of toothbrush. If you’re concerned that the extra power could knock off a bracket, it’s probably best to ask Dr. Gemmi or Dr. Middleberg whether or not they are safe to use. Even if the toothbrush isn’t what you want to use, the water flosser is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine.

2. Ultra WP-100

This is the most popular model, often recommend by dentists and orthodontists. It just has the flosser and the tank, which includes an adjustment knob so you can dial up or down the water pressure as needed. This Waterpik is probably the best if you are just starting out with these devices, though there are other devices that give you more choices, power, and control.

3. Aquarius Professional WP-660

Besides having a cooler name than the other models, this Waterpik also has far more features. It’s billed as the “most advanced water flosser,” and has more controls on the handle so you have more control over what is and what is not going on in your mouth as you use it. This is probably the best model for anyone who wants a lot of features and power, and wants to be able to adjust very fine settings. While it might not be the best option for young teenagers who just want a simple machine, it could be a great pick for the adult who is very invested in his mouth’s hygiene.

4. Cordless Plus Professional WP-440

If you want a water flosser that you can take to school or the office and use, as well as a great device for using at home, then this is the Waterpik model for you. In fact, this model also comes with a sonic toothbrush, making it a great pick for the braces-wearer who’s on the go. If you’re dithering about whether or not to try a water flosser, this might be the choice for you, as its mobility allows you try it out not just at home, but anywhere you want to clean your teeth.

5.Water Flosser for Kids WP-260

This flosser is a little bit smaller and has a user-friendly interface that makes it better for younger users. If your child is quite young and maybe isn’t equipped for using one of the more complicated devices, this flosser is probably the best choice. This model is described as being “child-friendly” but it still has all of the controls and power that a child would need in order to get their braces and their teeth clean.

6.Traveler Water Flosser WP-300

The last Waterpik model, this device is designed for smaller spaces. It has a smaller tank and base and has been manufactured with small bathrooms or frequent travelers in mind. This model might be the best choice for a professional who often travels for work or for pleasure but doesn’t want to have to go without the braces-cleaning power of his Waterpik while he is on the go. It even has global voltage compatibility, which sets it apart from the other models.

Which Model Is Best for Me?

With all of the different models to choose from, how do you pick the best one for your needs? While all of these models will probably deliver the power that you need, you will want to consider how much you want to spend and what features you need. In general, the more features you want, the more you will have to spend. Cheaper models have cheaper features, but they are usually just as effective at getting your teeth and braces clean. We recommend starting off with the Ultra WP-100—this is the easiest model to learn how to use and has just enough power to clean food and germs out of teeth.