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Water flossers for dental implants
Updated
If you have implants, the tip is the part to shop for. Waterpik makes a Plaque Seeker tip it lists for implants, crowns and bridges, and an Implant Denture tip for fixed implant bridges and dentures. Your implant dentist should tell you which one, if any, to use and how hard to spray.
What Waterpik says each tip is for
| Tip | Waterpik says it is for | Replace, per Waterpik |
|---|---|---|
| Plaque Seeker | Implants, crowns, bridges and general use. It has 3 thin tufts of bristles. | Every 3 months |
| Implant Denture | Fixed implant bridges and dentures | Every 6 months |
| Precision (standard) | Everyday use | Every 6 months |
Waterpik also says the Implant Denture tip works best with its countertop or ION flossers, because they allow more precise tip placement. Not every tip fits every model, so check the tips page for your model number.
Which picks fit
- Waterpik Aquarius: a Plaque Seeker tip comes in the box, and it is a countertop model, the type Waterpik names for its Implant Denture tip. The catch: it needs an outlet and counter space, and some owners say units quit after about a year.
- Waterpik Cordless Advanced: waterproof for the shower and packs for travel. The catch: check which tips fit this model before you count on an implant tip, and a 60 second clean takes 2 tanks (1 refill).
We would skip the Philips Power Flosser 3000 if you need an implant tip. Its box has two general tips only.
What the ADA says about implants
The ADA's implant page describes placement in phases and says your general health matters more than your age. It notes that some chronic illnesses and tobacco use can slow healing. None of that is a flossing rule, and that is the point: implant care is set by the dentist who placed them. The ADA's flossing page says people with bridges and other dental work may find a water flosser helps them reach every nook and cranny.
Before your first use
- Ask when you can start after surgery, and on which setting.
- Bring the flosser to your next visit and ask the hygienist to show you the angle.
- Start on the lowest pressure and work up only if your dentist agrees.
Compare all five picks in the shortlist, or check any listing in the run time calculator.
Check with your dentist. This page is general information, not dental advice. Your dentist or hygienist knows your mouth and your dental work, so ask them which tip, pressure and routine suit you before you start.