Its four water stream settings (clean, deep clean, sensitive and massage) and auto-timer setting allow you to really get into your gums for a thorough clean. "With my old flosser, I think I moved too fast between my teeth to do an effective job," said one tester. "I feel like I have now completely re-learned the correct way to use water flossers."

The timer worked well, though switching settings mid-brush could be smoother. Battery life impressed us—charged once, and it's been over a month with a single charge. We appreciate the absence of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or an app—it keeps brushing simple and effective. With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work. The narrative on flossing and how regularly you ought to be doing it has been conflicting, but pretty much any dentist worth their jar of lollipops agrees that some form of daily interdental brushing or flossing is essential. Especially if you want to avoid any future dental work because of gum disease, gingivitis and sensitive teeth. Take a look at the results of our best water flossers test too, if you're looking to boost your regime even further.

Post-brushing, our teeth felt exceptionally clean, akin to a dental visit. Given the brand's reputation and the toothbrush's settings and intensities, this toothbrush is a great fit for those looking for a thorough and effective clean. If you struggle with this technique, which some of our testers did, you could use your cordless water flosser while in the shower if it specifies it's safe to do so. Of those we tested, the Waterpik Cordless Advanced and Nicwell Smart Oral Irrigator specify both are. How to clean a water flosser

The Oral-B Genius 9600 Electric Toothbrush is slightly heavier than some other toothbrush models, which might be a minor concern for individuals seeking a lighter toothbrush.

Do dentists recommend water flossers?

The GHI recruited a panel of 317 testers to trial 30 electric toothbrushes for a fortnight. They were asked to judge each model on its ease of use, design, features, battery life and overall performance. We asked them to use a disclosing tablet before and after brushing their teeth to determine how effective their toothbrush was at removing plaque. quip Adult Smart Electric Toothbrush: This toothbrush is simple and easy to use, but it doesn't have any unique features like sensors. Water flossers can be an additional aid, over and above interdental cleaning, and some patients like using these.'

Cordless vs. countertop: If you're looking for versatility and portability, opt for a handheld, cordless water flosser. Most cordless flossers can be used in the shower, minimizing mess. If you have the counter space, consider a corded countertop model as they have greater water capacity and more pressure settings. They’re also easier on the hands — since most of their weight rests on the counter, all you have to lift is a lightweight wand. To date we've tested over 40 electric toothbrushes to find the best ones on the market, doing three distinct tests with Oral-B, Sonicare, and a broader range of brands including Quip, Waterpik, Colgate, and more. Since we started testing electric toothbrushes, we've spent over 3,472 hours brushing our teeth with electric toothbrushes in the Lab (under the expert guidance of Dr. Marc Schlenoff, Vice President of Clinical Development at Tend) and at home. This is what we look for when we're testing each electric toothbrush. Design, Functionality, and Features: Through every brushing session, we're paying attention to how easy the brushes are to hold and maneuver around our mouths. We note the size of the brush heads and how well they fit and get into all the crevices of our teeth and gums and whether they're comfortable or too stiff and firm. We go through all the settings, evaluating how helpful they are and whether they add or distract from the brushing experience. We use the built-in timers, note battery life indicators, and assess the "extras" it comes with (such as additional brushheads, chargers, travel cases, stands, and more). If the toothbrush connects to an app, we logged in, used it, and judged how helpful and/or clunky it was to navigate. The absence of a battery life indicator or built-in sensor, make it challenging to monitor the remaining battery life. The toothbrush’s handle felt just right and the small, round brush head was a refreshing change, allowing for better access to tight spots and crevices. The multiple settings and extra features (like the tongue cleaner) offered a diverse brushing experience. While navigating these settings might require more effort than some would prefer, for tech or oral care enthusiasts, it's a great addition. Post-brushing, teeth felt plaque-free, although the taste was less minty, likely due to the smaller brush head.We selected 119 people from our consumer tester panel who reported good dental hygiene habits (such as brushing twice a day and having a professional cleaning every six months) and who were already water flosser users. The testers were asked to use the flosser every day for at least one week, then fill out a survey in which they rated the water flosser’s ease of use and performance, as well as their overall satisfaction with the device. Pressure settings: Some water flossers only have a couple of pressure settings, while others as many as 10 options. Some settings offer deep cleaning for extra work on the gums, while sensitive options offer a thorough clean but with a gentler intensity. Oral-B’s entry focuses on a more gentle approach, removing food between teeth, gums and braces without irritating. It does this by utilising the company's Oxyjet Technology, which enriches the stream of water with micro-fine bubbles of air. This not only makes the resulting stream less irritable to sensitive gums, but it also improves the cleaning power. Win-win. Built-in timers: This is one of the more basic features on an electric toothbrush. Most on this list have two-minute timers, many with notifications at 20- or 30-second intervals to guide you as you brush your teeth. According to Dr. Schlenoff, if used properly, both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective. He says it's really a matter of personal preference. While they can both do a good job cleaning your teeth, an electric toothbrush comes with smart technology like pressure sensors, facial recognition, and brushing timers. If those features are appealing to you, you may prefer an electric toothbrush.