Oral health is important. And while brushing your teeth in the morning and night is definitely a good start, if you’re not flossing, you’ve likely already heard a mouthful from your dentist.

If you’re ready to take flossing and whitening seriously, you’ve come to the right place. Any dentist you talk to will explain the importance of flossing, but in case you’re still wondering why you need to incorporate it into your daily routine, we did all the hard work for you. Ahead, get the lowdown on all things flossing, according to certified dentists, plus the best water flossers they recommend to their patients.

“Flossing clears the debris that gets stuck in and around your teeth, in places that tooth brushing cannot reach. I always recommend flossing before brushing your teeth,” Dr. Sheri B Doniger from Preventive Dentistry, told the New York Post. “It reaches places in between the teeth and helps loosen the plaque, then brushing swishes it away from the gums and teeth and out of the mouth.”

Dr. Sharon Huang, who founded Les Belles NYC, specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry, and reminded us of just how important flossing can be for the health of your whole body.

“Most people, including doctors, forget that the mouth is connected to the entire body. The same bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease are linked to many diseases and conditions in the body…[including] endocarditis, pregnancy and birth complications, pneumonia and diabetes,” Huang said.

Let’s dive into our favorite water flosser reviews and which one may work best for you.

With more than 148,000 raving reviews and an impressive 4.6-star rating on Amazon, it didn’t come as a surprise that every dentist we interviewed raved about the popular Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser.

It features 10 settings (including one for braces!), seven different tips for a variety of needs, a built-in timer to track flossing time and comes in a variety of colors to match your bathroom.

“It has a large water reservoir which holds up to 22 ounces of water and about 90 seconds of flossing time (3x average flossers),” said Huang. This is a powerful flosser [with many] pressure settings from gentle to pressured clean [and] operates on two modes: floss and massage.”

Capacity: 22 ounce reservoir | Power Level: 10 settings | Timer: Yes | Accessories: 7 tips

With Soft, Normal, and Strong modes plus three pressure levels (excluding Pulse mode), you can create up to 10 customizable water flossing patterns for a tailored clean.

The built-in 120-second self-cleaning feature helps keep the reservoir and jet tips mildew-free, while rotatable tips make it easier to reach hidden areas for a more complete, hygienic clean every time.

“After nearly four years of daily use of my MySmile water flosser, I can say that this was a great investment for my dental health. I’ll be honest with you, I hate using traditional dental floss and my orthodontist did me no favors by installing permanent retainers in my mouth when I was done with braces. My dentist recommended a water flosser to make sure I could get a thorough clean in all the nooks and crannies that floss can’t reach.

“MySmile is the perfect fit for me because it’s so easy to travel with and comes with extra heads to share with my partner. Additionally, it’s sensitive-teeth friendly with 4 pressure options, 4 stream modes, and regulated water temperature. Its large reservoir holds enough water to get a comprehensive clean without the inconvenience of stopping to refill, and the battery life is unbelievably long — up to 40 days. Once you get the hang of using it (unless you’re already a pro dental hygienist, you’ll have a short learning curve on using it properly), you won’t want to skip this game-changer in your routine.” – Meaghan Roche, senior SEO commerce manager

Capacity: 11.33 Fluid ounce | Power Level: Battery Powered | Timer: Yes | Accessories: Display Screen, Multiple Operation Modes, Multiple Pressure Settings, Multiple Tips, Rechargeable

Cords can get in the way and become an annoyance when it comes to limited bathroom counter space. If this is something that is important to you, go for a cordless water flosser.

“I love the BURST Cordless Water Flosser — it’s a beautiful cordless, compact option that offers 360-degree tip rotation, great battery life, water-resistance, and a lifetime replacement guarantee when you purchase a subscription,” Huang said.

Our very own Commerce Editorial Director, Barret Wertz, is also a big advocate for this water flosser.

“I recently had the InBrace behind-the-teeth braces and was so thankful to have had the BURST Water Flosser. Not only was it perfect for using at home in the shower or over the sink, it was completely portable and easy enough to take in my bag with me to the office and even out to eat,” Wertz said. “Every time I had a visit with my orthodontist, she commented on how well I was cleaning around my braces. My braces may be off, but the Burst Water Flosser is still part of my daily routine.”

Capacity: 110 Milliliter Tank | Power Level: Battery Powered | Timer: No | Accessories: Portable, Rechargeable, Rotatable Tip

This flosser has 3 modes and 5 intensity levels for everything from sensitive gums to deep cleansing. It’s easy to clean and refill for optimal hygiene, and with stylish color options to match your vibe.

“I’m lazy at times about flossing, and my dental hygienist lets me know that she can tell. Enter this inexpensive water flosser that is so easy to use, I actually enjoy it. It’s like a power washer for my teeth! This is my second one because I let the first one get moldy, so word of caution, don’t forget to empty it after use! But, my hygienist is equally pleased, so I definitely recommend it!” – Erica Radol, commerce reporter at Page Six

Capacity: 11.33 Fluid ounce | Power Level: Battery Powered | Timer: Yes | Accessories: Display Screen, Multiple Operation Modes, Multiple Pressure Settings, Multiple Tips, Rechargeable

If you’re new to water flossing and don’t want to shell out a lot of money to give it a try, Huang recommends the Nicwell Cordless Water Dental Flosser.

“This is the best value water flosser [that] has four flossing modes, five jet tips (orthodontic tip, tongue scraper, 3x standard, 1 oral flosser) and is easy to use. It has a small water reservoir, [it’s] cordless, waterproof and designed for travel,” Huang said.

Capacity: 200 Capacity Water | Power Level: Battery Powered | Timer: No | Accessories: 5 Nozzle Kits

Both Becker and Dr. Lilya Horowitz, from Domino Dental in Brooklyn, recommend the Oral-B Water Flosser Advanced for those working with braces.

“This is my favorite flosser for patients with braces. There are three flossing modes to choose from, which help keep in and around braces, without too much pressure,” Becker said. “Its portability is also a benefit as patients with braces like to rinse after eating.”

Capacity: 260 ML Large Capacity| Power Level: Rechargeable battery | Timer: No | Accessories: (1) Water Flosser Advanced Portable Handle, (1) Charger, (2) Nozzles (1 Aquafloss, 1 Precision Jet)

“I’ve used bigger, bulkier water flossers before, and was slightly annoyed by how much space they were taking up on my already-overcrowded counter. The Ordo flosser has a much slimmer build, and still offers the pressure and power you need for a deep clean (up to 2000 water pulsations per minute, to be exact). It’s easy to travel with, thanks to its smaller size and convenient travel lock. The ergonomic grip is also quite easy to hold and maneuver. I’m yet to find any flaws with it.” – Miska Salemann, commerce reporter at New York Post

Capacity: 260ml tank | Power Level: Battery powered | Timer: Yes | Accessories: n/a

When choosing a water flosser, consider your gum sensitivity, desired pressure settings, and whether you prefer a cordless or countertop design. Tank size, battery life, and extra features like multiple tips or a built-in timer can also make a difference.

Yes, a Waterpik is a brand, while water flosser is the general term for the device. Waterpik popularized the category, but many other brands now offer water flossers with similar features. Kind of like a Tupperware as a brand versus a food storage container.

It’s best to water floss before brushing to loosen and flush out plaque and debris, so your toothbrush and toothpaste can clean more effectively. This sequence helps maximize the benefits of fluoride and ensures a deeper clean overall.

Water flossing is highly effective for removing plaque and food particles between teeth and below the gumline, especially in areas traditional floss can’t reach. In fact, if you’re searching for the water flosser with the most pressure, studies show that high-pressure models can significantly reduce gingivitis and improve gum health in just a few weeks.

If you have orthodontics, a water flosser for braces can be a game-changer. It gently blasts away trapped food around brackets and wires without the tugging or fraying of string floss, making your dental routine faster and more efficient.

To keep your device running smoothly, it’s important to know how to clean a water flosser, usually by flushing the system with white vinegar and warm water once a week to prevent mold and buildup. Don’t forget the reservoir on your water flosser either—empty and dry it after each use to avoid bacterial growth.

Whether you’re dealing with braces, gum issues, or just hate traditional flossing, water flossers offer a powerful, hygienic alternative, and yes, they work.

In short, yes, they’re essentially the same thing. “Water flossers and electric flossers are gentle power washers [that are used] to flush out debris around the teeth and gums. The pressurized stream of water pulsates and helps remove food particles,” Huang explained.

Water flosser vs floss? Well, it’s not exactly one or the other.

“Electric or water flossing should only be in addition to traditional flossing and never replace it. As great as water flossing is, traditional flossing gets in between the teeth the way a water flosser does not. However, a water flosser is a great option for permanent dental appliances [like braces] to clean under or around them,” said NYC-based dentist, Dr. Lauren Becker.

While most dentists will say that water flossers or electric flossers are less effective than traditional flossing, they’ll also say that the best floss is the one you will actually use and enjoy.

So if water flossing strikes your fancy, we’ll consider it a win — as only about 30% of people floss daily.

In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day and manually flossing with string or interdental brushes, experts recommend following up with a water flosser everyday or at least three to four times a week.

Most professionals recommend using your water flosser before brushing your teeth at night to clean/prep the teeth and gums ahead of brushing and manual flossing to remove the day’s food debris.

Here’s the best way to use a water flosser, according to Becker.

1. Fill the water flosser with water if there is a tank, which can be mixed with a little mouthwash to add flavor, providing anti-plaque benefits that mouthwash offers.
2. Split the mouth into four quadrants — going over the teeth and gums in four areas (inside, outside, on top of the tooth and throughout the gums and cheeks of the mouth) continuously spitting out the water. You’ll notice how much debris is collected in the sink while water flossing.
3. Once finished, empty out any remaining water and let the reservoir dry completely to avoid bacteria collecting and a musty smell.

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