According to the latest Adult Dental Health Survey, only 77 per cent of adults brush their teeth twice a day, and even among those, high plaque levels suggest brushing alone is insufficient. Water flossers offer a solution, particularly for those with mobility issues or dental work like braces, where string floss can be difficult or impossible to use effectively.
The Waterpik WP-150 Ultra Plus water flosser, priced at £129.99 from Boots, claims to remove up to 99.9 per cent of plaque from treated areas and be 50 per cent more effective at reducing gingivitis compared to regular string floss. The device features 10 pressure settings (10PSI to 100PSI) and comes with six interchangeable tips: classic jet, tongue cleaner, orthodontic, pik pocket, plaque seeker, and toothbrush.
The unit consists of a sturdy white plastic base with an on/off button and pressure dial, a removable clear plastic reservoir that sits on top, and a wand attached via a coiled tube. The wand has a 360-degree rotating dock and an eject button for swapping tips. The lid doubles as a storage caddy for the tips.
During testing, the classic jet tip was favoured for general cleaning, shooting a pressurised water stream between teeth and below the gumline. The toothbrush tip allows simultaneous brushing and flossing, while the tongue cleaner helps reduce bad breath. For those with periodontal pockets, the pik pocket tip provides a targeted high-pressure stream. The orthodontic and plaque seeker tips cater to those with braces or other dental work.
The reviewer used the flosser multiple times at different times of day to assess effectiveness after sleeping and eating. The device was found to be particularly useful for reaching difficult spots and cleaning around dental work, offering a significant upgrade over traditional string floss for those seeking improved oral hygiene.
