Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser
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Customer Reviews of Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser
Customer Review: Best dental report card ever thanks to this!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am one of those people that hates flossing. Even though I know I should, I just can't stand the sensation of the floss going in between my teeth, and it's hard for me to reach the back teeth. But I knew that my gums were going to suffer if I didn't do something, so I purchased the Waterpik in September of this year (2010). Before I started using it, my gums were visibly red and would sometimes bleed when I was brushing my teeth. My teeth were also very sensitive and just didn't feel "right." After a week or two of using this I noticed a difference in how my gums were. They stopped bleeding and turned more of a pinkish color. My teeth also felt stronger and stopped getting irritated by cold things.
Today was judgment day. I had my first dentist's cleaning in over a year (a year and a month, to be exact). I was nervous because I wasn't sure that my two months of waterpik-ing could make up for my 11 months of slacking. All the other times I went to the dentist, the hygienist would pull tons of food out from between my teeth, and show me where I was missing when I brushed. Today, she found nothing. All the other times I went to the dentist, she would comment on the fact that my gums were red in some areas. Today, she commented on how healthy they were. And when she'd floss my teeth, my gums would bleed. Today, the floss went between my teeth easily with no pain and no bleeding. I also had two cavities at my last appointment. This time I had none, although of course I'm not sure the waterpik is entirely to thank for that.
My cleaning today was only 40 minutes rather than the usual hour, since my teeth were already so clean! All in all, I have noticed a huge difference in my dental hygiene, and would strongly recommend this product.
Customer Review: I Love This Thing!
Summary: 5 Stars
Definitely this is the best sub $50 dental item I have ever bought. I have a constant problem with my gums receding. Dentists kept saying I was brushing too hard or grinding my teeth at night, but even with very gentle brushing and wearing mouthgards at night it never went away. Until this thing came along!
I started out on a 1 or 2 setting, and over a couple weeks, made my way up to a 6. I can't go any higher than that without it starting to be uncomfortable, and the water starts misting inside my mouth and getting into my sinuses. I use an Oral B Vitality electric toothbrush first, then floss, then move on to this thing. It's amazing to watch all the extra crap coming out from between my teeth and from my gums. I follow all this up with mouthwash, and my teeth are literally squeaky clean. No more low gum lines, no more bleeding gums, and no more fillings needed for pre-cavities between my teeth!
The only "limitations" I've found with this thing: The water that comes out when you first turn it on is really cold from sitting for 24 hours. I let it run for about 10 seconds after filling it with warm water pointed directly at the drain, then press the pause button and put it in my mouth and start. Also, it recommends that you drain any remaining water after you finish, but I don't think this is necessary if you use it daily.
The nice part about the multiple tips if a bunch of people can use it. My girlfriend wasn't really a fan of it, so I just leave the one tip on it (figuring it'll limit wear and tear). Mine has developed a loud rattle in the handle, but there's no indication of any leaking or failure. I've been using it daily for a couple months now. I highly recommend this item!
Customer Review: Amazingly clean mouth!
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently got braces and purchased one of these on the advice of a friend who just had braces removed. I could not believe how clean my teeth got. My teeth have always been very crowded and hard to floss between so I wouldn't floss. Trying to floss around the braces was even worse - I just stopped doing it all together. I started using this and my dentist was amazed at the difference it has made.
The pulsing warm water really soothes my sore gums after an adjustment of my braces. This also makes cleaning my braces very quick and easy - it gets all the food out of the braces and really makes my mouth feel clean - every time I brush and use the Waterpik, it feels like I just left the dentist. Combine this with a sonic toothbrush and you will be really surprised at how clean your mouth can be. I noticed that there were parts of my gums that the toothbrush was not cleaning well - when using the Waterpik, I have found small pockets of bacteria that have a very bad taste but get rinsed clean with the product.
I was so impressed, I asked my boyfriend to try it and he loves it too - he adds a cap of Listerine to the warm water and says his mouth really feels clean and fresh afterwards. All of the included tips are great. If you've never used a Waterpik though, you can make a huge mess. Also, the first few times you use it, the reservoir will seem like it's too small. After a few uses and you get the "trick" of using it, it should be just right - I can clean the inside of my teeth, the outside AND my braces with one use on the 6 or 8 setting. You might want to start at a lower setting until you get used to it - the pulses can be painful. I'll never go back to just brushing!
Customer Review: So far so good..
Summary: 4 Stars
I picked up one of these little gems several weeks ago when the handle on my old one started leaking all over the place. I called waterpik to find out if there was anything I shouldn't use in it- trying to make it last. They suggested not using any sodium based mouthwashes, and diluting everything else by 50%. I also found out I could get another handle shipped for my old one for seven fifty, which I did (and now have a backup). Anyway a few things about this new model. The power is 39 Watts, not 100 as someone else mentioned. Waterpik says at full stream it's about 25% stronger a jet. I actually did a comparison in the bathroom of both by shooting the jets across the room, and the new one definitely hit the wall with a tighter more forceful stream. Anyway, my mouth was actually sore the first time I used it on the highest setting, but fine after that. My girlfriend noticed the same. The stream adjustment is on the base versus the handle for the old one. The volume of water this one holds is significantly less then the older model. But the water storage area does have a lid which holds most of the attachments- none of which I have ever used. So far no major leaking problems, but I noticed if the handle is placed lower than the base ( mine sits on a high shelf in the bathroom) water dribbles out of the handle (with power off)- like when I start using it. I don't keep water or any liquid in it when I am not using it. It also seems like the thumb button which interrupts the stream while held in has started to stick slightly. Other than than it's working well so far. For people that do have a problems, I would call the company before returning. They seem fairly decent to work with.Customer Review: Not a replacement for flossing
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this for two reasons: To supplement or replace flossing, and to remove tonsil stones. Unfortunately, it is not really useful for either. I will keep it, because I do think it has a function to clean your mouth, and between the teeth, and it is generally more gentle than flossing or brushing.
As other reviewers on the internet have noted, it is probably best to find other ways to remove tonsil stones. The tonsils are very delicate, and a concentrated water gun could potentially rupture it. So, don't use it for that. In my case I have simply found that I can't get the stones out with this device.
I personally have teeth that have very small gaps and I find it somewhat hard to get the floss in between. If you have a similar issue, the best floss that I have found so far is "Glide". It is quite thin, very strong and very smooth. Other types of floss break easily on my teeth. If you eat food that has fibers in it (like meat or some fruits), then flossing is necessary to remove something stuck between the teeth. If it is stuck tightly then the water flosser will simply not get it out. So, flossing is still better than the water pik, although it will often cause your gums to bleed. The water flosser usually won't cause bleeding. (The manual claims that it is better than flossing.. simply not true!)
This is a relatively expensive devise, and I will keep it and learn how to use it (I think it will take some time to explore its use). However, it is almost certainly not a replacement for flossing or brushing. Be careful where in your mouth you point it (the manual cautions about this also), it can cause harm if not used correctly.