Frequently Asked Questions

The Waterpik^® dental water jet is an easier, more effective alternative to dental floss; A study at the University of Nebraska found that patients who added a dental water jet to either manual or power toothbrushing reduced bleeding, gingivitis, and plaque as well as manual brushing and flossing.

The dental water jet was up to 93% more effective at reducing bleeding and up to 52% more effective at reducing gingivitis.

A Canadian Study showed that for adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances, the Waterpik^® dental water jet with the new Orthodontic tip was 3.8 times as effective as flossing, and 5.8 times as effective as brushing alone in removing plaque.

The dental water jet reduced bleeding by 84%; this was 26% better than flossing.

No. If you're patients are doing an effective job with floss, they should continue. But if you have patients who cannot do it effectively or won't do it at all, the Waterpik^® dental water jet is an easier, more effective alternative.

Yes, a recent study with biofilm expert Bill Costerton showed the Waterpik^® dental water jet can effectively remove plaque biofilm. The study showed that a 3-second pulsating lavage with either the standard jet tip or orthodontic tip removed 99% of biofilm.

Yes, a patient using a power brush can still get oral health improvements from using our dental water jet. A 2005 study at the University of Nebraska showed that significant improvements in oral health occurred with the addition of a dental water jet even if they were using a sonic toothbrush.

Yes, we have a study that compared the Waterpik^® dental water jet to flossing. The Waterpik^® dental water jet was far superior to dental floss; it was easier to use, and the teenagers loved it. A 2008 study showed that for adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances , the Waterpik^® dental water jet with the new Orthodontic tip was 3.8 times as effective than flossing, and 5.8 times as effective as brushing alone in removing plaque. The dental water jet reduced bleeding by 84%; this was 26% better than flossing.

Yes we do. We are the only dental water jet that has been tested on implants, and it was shown to be very effective and safe. A study at the University of Buffalo compared 0.06% strength CXH irrigation delivered with the Pik Pocket™ tip to full strength rinsing with 0.12% CHX on implants. Irrigation with the dental water jet was 87% more effective at reducing bleeding than rinsing.

Yes, the Waterpik^® dental water jet can help periodontal maintenance patients remain stable by controlling bleeding and gingivitis. Daily use of the dental water jet with plain water reduced bleeding on probing by 50% over a six month time frame in a study with periodontal maintenance patients. Another study found that periodontal maintenance patients who added a dental water jet to their daily routine reduced bleeding and gingivitis significantly more than those who used traditional methods.

Yes we do. The Waterpik^® dental water jet is one of the only self-care products that has been tested on people with diabetes and the findings showed it is excellent for helping patients with diabetes control gingivitis and bleeding. A study at the University of Buffalo found that patients with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes who added the Waterpik^® dental water jet to their home care routine had a 44% better reduction in bleeding over those who did not use a dental water jet.

No, a magnetized product has not been proven better than a Waterpik^® dental water jet.

The Waterpik^® brand is supported by more than 50 studies demonstrating superior oral health outcomes on in people periodontal maintenance or with gingivitis, orthodontic appliances, implants, crown, bridges, diabetes as well as those unable or unwilling to use dental floss; far more than any magnetized product.

Only two studies have been conducted on the magnetized product; both compared the unit to their own brand product minus the magnet. The studies found better reductions in calculus and plaque on anterior teeth only. However, the index used had never been used before, so its validity has been questioned by the dental research community. The Waterpik^® dental water jet has been shown to reduce calculus by 50% as well as reduce supragingival and subgingival plaque biofilm.

Pulsation is the key because it provides for a compression and decompression phase that allows bacteria and debris to clear from the pocket. With pulsation, you can also control pressure. Studies have found that a pulsating device can reach three times deeper than a non pulsating device.

Our product pulsates, and those products do not. Pulsation is the key to effectiveness key because it provides for a compression and decompression phase that allows bacteria and debris to clear from the pocket. With pulsation, you can also control pressure. Studies have found that a pulsating device can reach three times deeper than a non pulsating device.

The Waterpik^® brand is supported by more than 50 studies demonstrating superior oral health outcomes on in people periodontal maintenance or with gingivitis, orthodontic appliances, implants, crown, bridges, diabetes as well as those unable or unwilling to use dental floss. There are no published studies documenting clinical efficacy on non pulsating units.

Three of our tips have been tested in clinical trials and found to help patients improve oral health. The jet tip is good for generalized full mouth cleaning for a patient with most types of oral health conditions. The orthodontic tip features a small tapered brush for simultaneous cleaning and irrigating.. It was designed to enhance plaque removal around orthodontic appliances but it can help any type of patient. The Pik Pocket™ tip is a soft conical tip designed for deep pockets, furcations or any difficult to access area. It can be used in conjunction with either the jet tip or orthodontic tip.

The Waterpik^® dental water jet can reach much deeper into periodontal pockets than either floss, toothbrushes or other devices. Depth of penetration studies have shown that the standard jet tip can reach about 50% of the depth of a pocket. The Pik Pocket™ tip can reach 90% of the depth of a 6 mm pocket. Studies looking at disruption of bacteria have shown the irrigation removed bacteria up to 6 mm.

Plain water is proven to work extremely well; but our units will accommodate most agents. A small amount of mouthwash can be added to the water for flavoring and/or to enhance compliance. Whatever solution that is used, including water should be at room temperature for greatest comfort. Chlorhexidine and Listerine are two that have been clinically tested in the Waterpik^® dental water jet. Chlorhexidine can be diluted in varying strengths. When a patient uses an agent like these, they will need to flush out the unit with water after each use. Failing to do so may shorten the life of the unit.

Waterpik^® dental water jets jets are sold by all major drug stores and mass merchandise chains, like Target, Walmart and K-Mart. Costco also carries a Waterpik^® model in most of their stores.

We have patient education brochures; each contains a $5 dollar rebate. We also have a DVD with several video clips including how to use the dental water jet and patients talking about the benefits they have received from using the dental water jet.

The advantages of dispensing are many. When a patient is educated about a product in your office then receives it directly from you, you have the comfort of knowing they got the right product and the confidence that they will use it correctly. You promote credibility for your recommendation and create value in the time you will save the patient from going out to purchase it themselves.

A new guideline update from the American Heart Association states “Maintenance of optimal oral hygiene may reduce the incidence of bacteremia from daily activities and is more important than prophylactic antibiotics for a dental procedure to reduce the risk of infective endocarditis.”

Before recommending a dental water jet or any device, it is imperative that practitioners consider both the patient's overall medical and oral health status. A physician consultation may be advisable in order to assess the patient's overall risk and execute the best clinical judgment.

The Waterpik^® dental water jet is safe to use on any setting. First time users should always start out at the lowest pressure setting then gently increase the pressure over time to at least a medium setting.

To those concerned about it, to minimize it, the tips can be cleaned with soap and water prior to storage or they can be placed in the top rack of the dishwasher. The tip storage unit can also be placed on the top shelf of the dishwasher.

All Waterpik^® models deliver the clinically proven benefits we state on our packaging. However, our countertop models will deliver a much greater range of water pressure - from extra gentle to maximum cleaning. Experienced Waterpik^® users tend to like the higher pressure settings, and those with special needs, or sensitive areas usually prefer the lower pressure settings, which are offered by our countertop models.

Waterpik^® dental water jets are backed by more than 50 studies conducted in 25 university and independent research facilities. We have the most experience and expertise in water jet technology than any other brand. They have been tested on thousands of patients and have improved the oral health of people in periodontal maintenance and with gingivitis, orthodontic appliances, crowns, bridges, implants, diabetes as well as those unable or unwilling to floss. They are easy to use and affordable.

Waterpik^® dental water jets are backed by more than 50 studies conducted in 25 university and independent research facilities. They have been tested on thousands of patients and have improved the oral health of people in periodontal maintenance and with gingivitis, orthodontic appliances, crowns, bridges, implants, diabetes as well as those unable or unwilling to floss. They are easy to use and affordable. Several research study abstracts are available on the following clinical research page.

Most Waterpik studies are conducted by independent research organizations and universities; however, Water Pik, Inc does sponsor most of this research. The studies are published in peer reviewed journals and full disclosure of sponsorship is provided.