Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser
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Customer Reviews of Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser
Customer Review: A little loud, use in addition to flossing
Summary: 4 Stars
After going to the dentist and having several cavities between my teeth, I decided flossing wasn't doing enough and invested in the waterpik.
First thing, the unit is a little loud when turned on. It's not terrible, but if there are other people sleeping in the surrounding rooms, I will usually refrain from using it because it is loud enough that people in the next room over can hear it. The pump the machine uses makes the whole unit shudder a bit and it is surprisingly jarring at night.
When you turn the unit on, water begins to flow. You can adjust the water pressure, but there isn't an effective way to stop the flow of water except by turning off the machine. There is a blue button on the handle of the machine that can be used to momentarily stop the water flow but the machine shudders a bit more when you keep the pump from expelling water. The button does stop MOST of the flow, but it takes quite a firm grip to keep the water from coming out. But most of the time the waterpik will be in your mouth, so it's not a huge issue.
I don't think that this is a suitable replacement for flossing. After brushing, I tried just using the waterpik before flossing. After a thorough cleaning with the waterpik, I grabbed some floss to see if there was anything left to remove that the waterpik didn't get. I was surprised at how much gunk I was still able to get from between my teeth that the waterpik just couldn't dislodge. But I can definitely tell a difference when I use the waterpik in addition to flossing. I think I get the cleanest mouth if I brush, floss, and then use the waterpik,
The pressure in this machine is great. It's really like a drug; you start off on the softer end of the scale, but as you use it more and more, you need something harder. I've worked up to the highest setting now and it works great. If blasted any harder, I might be able to use it to as a water-jet cutter.
And just as an FYI, double check prices for items on Amazon. This same machine can be found cheaper if you find the right seller: Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser
Customer Review: Its a solid 4.5 stars, but it doesn't mean no flossing
Summary: 5 Stars
Its a well designed, attractive unit.
If you use the entire water chamber each time, it really doesn't leak. If you don't use it all, then dump it out after your done. For me, I enjoy using it so much, I always use the entire water chamber ... and it's enough to do the job, but none too big.
After using the hydrabrush and then this, my teeth really do feel nearly dental hygienist clean.
If you have problem with food getting stuck in your teeth, this is really excellent. Especially after eating meat, fruit or veggies that may get stuck in your teeth.
You might even have to turn down the pressure if you have sensitive gums as this thing has a lot of water blasting power. My kids find it very fun and it comes with a wide range of attachments for almost anyone and the tounge cleaner is even cool. I love the tray on top that holds the attachements ... its functional and attractive.
It's only a 4.5 because of the occasional problems starting it up ... but this is fixed by having a damp intake ... which I find isn't an issue if you use a FULL water chamber each time and just leave it seated in the unit till the next use.
This really isn't a complete substitute for flossing, but consider a nice supplemental and sometimes use it instead of flossing. But really both would be better. Sometimes I substitute this for flossing if I don't have time for both.
If you have sensitive teeth like me, use warm water instead of cold and it feels a lot better.
It can be messy to use, so I recommend keeping your mouth shut during use, or lean over the counter close to the sink and it'll just spash the sink and not the mirror. Some splash is inevitable.
I like the button to pause the water flow. If your halfway coordinated, you can pause it and reduce the mess considerably. For me, I'm not very coordinated, so I just lean into the sink and let it overspray a bit (into the sink). I think of it as "controlled drooling" ... but its fun to look down in the sink and see how much stuff this actually removes ... even after brushing and flossing.
Customer Review: WaterPik
Summary: 5 Stars
My husband and I really like the WaterPik because it actually helps the mouth be in better condition by removing pieces still left between the teeth EVEN AFTER FLOSSING and brushing and also removing plaque and helping your teeth feel smoother. When I'm done running the WaterPik all along all my teeth, then I hold the pik in front of my front teeth for a few seconds each, and when I'm done, my teeth actually feel smooth again, like I just had a dental polishing! This proves to me how the longer you hold the WaterPik to a certain spot, the more it removes. I agree with all the others who said the water tank is too small; I have to use 2 whole water tanks to complete my job (I keep a large cup beside the Pik when I'm using it so I can reach over to the cup and refill the tank with one hand while I pause the handheld part). In addition, I can see how they say the cord breaks prematurely, because it doesn't stretch very far at all, and it keeps the strong tension on the curls in the cord when you try to stretch it to you. In addition, the machine vibrates and shakes the cord while you're using it. I have noticed that with a little time (over less than a month), when I turn the unit on each day (even after my husband already used it an hour before me), I will have to hold the pik over the sink for the first few seconds to let it get the proper strong stream going first. Sometimes hardly anything comes out at first. This concerns me, that it could already be trying to break down. It didn't do that at first. I am wary of premature breakdown of this item due to many others' occurrences, so we'll just have to see what happens with ours. I had a WaterPik when I had braces as a 12-year-old, so I can tell you that they are making these with way less quality than they used to. I can see we'll have to baby this. And we live in a medium- to hard-water area, so I'll have to do monthly vinegar-and-water flushes to keep the hard water minerals from clogging anything and prematurely ruining it, also. If we do have a really bad occurrence with our unit (premature breaking), I will come back and add an addendum to this review.Customer Review: Irrigate your gums, change your dental destiny
Summary: 4 Stars
My father had such bad gingivitis that he had some of his gums removed. This man was a diligent flosser and brusher. It was genetic. My mother's side also had issues. So I was left with a probable destiny of dental horror.
About 6 years ago, in my early 40s, after my dentist started to discover the deepening pockets in my gums, it seemed I was going to end up in the same situation as my parents. The hygenist made an off-hand remark about using a Waterpik and a little mouth wash on my gums. I questioned him more about it. It seemed common sensical, and I was willing to try it.
Lo and behold within 6 months, the pockets stopped deepening. Within a year, instead of visiting the dentist every 3 months, because my gums were now looking so healthy, they said I only needed to visit every 6 months.
Years later, every visit, they don't even pay much attention to my gums, other than to say they are healthy.
Wow. I can't say enough for this practice of irrigating your gums.
It's common sense: Bacteria live in the gum line, and if you don't eradicate, eventually they'll take root, and root out your teeth in the process. Blast the area with water and mouthwash, and a little hydrogen peroxide, regularly (at first I did it every day, then I backed off as they got better; now only a couple times a week), and the bacteria cannot grow, cannot take root, and your gums will start healing and becoming pink and healthy.
I think this practice would eradicate gum disease, for the most part. But it takes some dedication; but what of value doesn't?
As far as this Waterpik unit, it provides the strongest blast of the units I have tried over the years. My wife has the Interplak, which seems to work fine, but it doesn't have the strength of this Waterpik.
My only nit with the Waterpik is longevity. They last a couple years, then something goes wrong. But for dental health, particularly reversing and holding at bay - even healing - gingivitis, the cost is nothing.
Customer Review: I'm glad I waited for these improvements!
Summary: 5 Stars
My dental hygienist had been after me for years to buy a water pik, but I'd always resisted because of all the negative comments I'd always read about them. Well, when this item came out, I finally relented, because it seems to have fixed most of the problems that previous models had. I'm glad I waited!
It feels wonderful to use! I never imagined it would feel so good! I have teeth with almost no spaces between them, so it feels amazing to me to feel jets of lovely warm water rushing between them! My gums feel like they've treated to a "gum spa!"
My favorite part about this particular unit is that it has a well-designed removable section on top WITH A LID that keeps your glass wands CLEAN and protected when you're not using them! That means that no one else's toothpaste cast-offs or spit or urine or whatever will splash up to contaminate them when they're not being used, yet they are convenient to get to when you're ready to use the pik.
The speed/force of the water is completely adjustable. I usually use it at just a 2 or 3 setting (out of about 10.) The noise level is okay - not loud enough to wake up anyone in the next room. The flexible water hose is nice and long, so I have enough freedom to aim it adequately and move it around. The hose coils nicely for storage into the little space under the wand holder in the front of the unit. The water tank is an adequate size to do my whole mouth in a fairly relaxed manner, although it will need refilling if you have the jet at a higher level of speed/force, since it doesn't attach to the faucet.
If I have any complaints, it's only that the glass wand is a little tricky to put in securely in the holder until you get the hang of it. Once you do, it's easy as pie. Also, the whole water cleaning thing feels soooooo good that I hate to stop! That's a complaint I never imagined saying!
Altogether, I definitely recommend this water pik as one that is intelligently-designed, looks good and does the job well!