All about the Waterpik irrigator: types of irrigators, how to use them correctly

The Waterpik irrigator is a personal hygiene device that effectively cleans hard-to-reach areas of the oral cavity, and also massages the gums, improving blood circulation in them. The principle of operation of the irrigator is based on cleansing the oral cavity under the influence of a pulsating stream of water*. The powerful pressure of the water jet allows you to clean the interdental spaces where a toothbrush cannot reach, and also improves blood circulation in the gums and massages them.

Numerous clinical studies have proven that it is the pulsating stream of water that has the key healing effect*. Intermittent, strong pulses of water remove bacteria from under the gums and hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.

*important: it is recommended to use regular filtered water. The use of various concentrates for the irrigator does not affect the healing effect, is not necessary and can shorten the service life of the irrigator.

About the manufacturer

Particular importance has always been given to the prevention of dental diseases of the oral cavity in the United States. It was the Americans who invented the most popular oral hygiene product today - the Waterpik oral irrigator. Waterpik continues to be a leader in oral irrigators for over 50 years. The Waterpik brand is trusted by dentists all over the world. On our website you can buy original Waterpik irrigators with a manufacturer’s warranty.

Main design elements

Any Waterpik irrigator model consists of three main elements:

Mechanical part with pressure regulator.
Water reservoir.
Handle for nozzles.

Devices are either stationary or portable. A set of necessary attachments has been developed for each: for natural or implanted teeth, for cleaning braces, and tongue. Some have a soft silicone tip, while others are shaped like a spoon or brush.

A doctor can choose a suitable nozzle, but more often patients independently create a kit for daily hygiene, selecting nozzles according to their needs.

How to choose the right Waterpik irrigator?

The Waterpik company offers several models of irrigators: WP-360 E2, WP-70 E2, WP-100 E2 Ultra. Each of them has its own advantages.

Stationary irrigators (WP-70 E2, WP-100 E2 Ultra) these types are designed for use by several family members at home. The irrigator comes with several attachments that differ in color. If necessary, you can purchase additional attachments in any quantity. Thus, an unlimited number of family members can use the stationary irrigator. All stationary irrigators operate from the network.

Portable irrigators (WP-450 E2) have the ability to work regardless of the presence of an electrical outlet at hand. The portable irrigator has a built-in battery. It is ideal in cases where a person travels frequently and is on business trips. The portable irrigator is used only in conjunction with stationary models and is designed to support the healing effect that appears after using stationary models while traveling. The portable irrigator is not intended for everyday use.

Waterpik irrigators occupy a special place in the market of devices for hygienic oral care. For 50 years, their popularity around the world has not decreased, despite the efforts of competitors. What is the secret of this success?

The Water Pik company has been selling its irrigators since 1962. The company's founders, dentist Gerald Moyer and engineer John Mattingly, were the first in the world to invent and create a device in 1958, which is now called the Water Flosser (irrigator).

Today's popularity of the Waterpik ® brand has been achieved due to the fact that the company has continued to improve its devices for half a century, introduced new technologies, used modern materials and expanded the functionality of its devices. The design and basic design of Waterpik irrigators have become classics, which are repeated by many competitors.

The most important factor ensuring the company's long-term leadership is its pricing policy. The cost of Waterpik irrigators is low compared to less famous competitors.

A few facts about Water Pik Inc.

The original name of the company was Aqua Tec Corp.
When creating the first irrigator, hydraulic engineer John Mattingly made changes to the operation of the power part of the device more than a hundred times.
The company received a patent for the invention of an oral irrigator only in 1967.
The company's initial investment was $50,000.
In 1973, the company developed and patented a pulsating shower head based on the principles of operation of an irrigator nozzle, which is still produced today, its share in the company’s total sales is 70%.
The company created the first portable irrigator in 2004.
Water Pik's turnover in 2021 was $256 million.
In August 2021, Water Pik was acquired by Church & Dwight Co., Inc. The transaction amount was $1 billion.

Product line of Waterpik ® Water Flosser

Despite its great financial and technological capabilities, the company does not follow the path of unbridled expansion of its range, but is focused on producing a small number of models. But each model has been brought to perfection by the company’s engineers and is an example of a harmonious fusion of high functionality, reliability and ergonomics.

Technical characteristics of Waterpik irrigator models

Model	WP-100/WP-112	WP-70 E2	WP-660/ WP-672	WP-300 Traveler	WP-260 E2 (children)	WP-450/ WP-462
Irrigator type	Stationary	Stationary	Stationary	Stationary	Stationary	Portable
Min. pressure, kPa	70	150	220	70	70	200
Max. pressure, kPa	650	600	690	550	550	520
Tank volume, ml	600	1000	650	450	500	210
Pulsation frequency, in min.	1200	1200	1400	1400	1200	1400
Number of modes	10	5	10	3	3	2

Main types of attachments for Waterpik irrigators

Standard nozzle. Used for regular oral care.
Periodontal attachment. Designed for cleaning gum pockets. Recommended for use for gum diseases.
Orthodontic attachment. Effective in caring for orthodontic structures, implants, bridges.
Tongue scraper attachment. Provides plaque removal from the surface of the tongue.
Brush attachment. Used as a brush to clean teeth surfaces.

Brief overview of models

Waterpik WP-100 Ultra E2 is the company’s most popular model. WP-112 Black is a black version of the same model. “Weaving” gained its popularity due to its excellent combination of price and quality. The model combines legendary reliability and high technical functionality. At the same time, the cost of the WP-100 Ultra E2 is quite acceptable for a person with average income.

Waterpik WP-70 E2 is the most “home” model of Waterpik irrigators; it has impressive dimensions and is designed to reign in the bathroom. The large liquid reservoir can serve as a case, housing both the main unit with a set of nozzles and a handle. The operating mode selection button is located on the handle of the device.

Waterpik WP-660 Aquarius is the most technically advanced model of Waterpik irrigators on the Russian market. The model has a “double” in black – WP-672 Aquarius. Perhaps this is the most stylish model, its design is impressive. It may seem that it has a high price, but this is only until the moment the WP-660 Aquarius falls into your hands. After this, it is already difficult to part with it, and it becomes clear that the cost of the irrigator is absolutely fair.

the Waterpik WP-300 Traveler model specifically for people whose life and work involve traveling and business trips. The travel irrigator has compact dimensions and design features for easy storage. The basic set includes a travel case. At the same time, the device has the full functionality of a stationary irrigator and is able to provide its owner with complete oral care even far from home.

Waterpik WP-260 E2 . The company positions this model as a children's model. But the irrigator works quite like an adult, providing complete oral hygiene not only for children, but also for adults. The design of the device is designed for children's perception, but the irrigator is designed more for a family with a small child, who is easier to convince of the need to brush their teeth with the help of such a bright and elegant device.

Waterpik WP-450 (WP-462 Black - black version) is a portable irrigator for mobile people who strive to maintain a high quality of life not only in their usual home environment, but also outside the home - on business trips and travel. Impressive technical characteristics allow for high-quality oral cleansing comparable to the results of stationary models.

Oleg Ilyashenko

How to use the Waterpik irrigator correctly?

It is important to understand that the Waterpik irrigator is used after brushing your teeth in the evening. To achieve the effect, it is enough to use the irrigator once a day. The procedure takes approximately 3 minutes.

Sequencing:

insert the nozzle into the handle until it clicks;
set the desired pressure level;
turn on the irrigator;
direct the water stream perpendicular to the gum line;
lightly close your lips so that the water does not splash, but flows freely from the mouth into the sink;
move the nozzle along the gum line on the inside and outside of the teeth of the upper and lower jaw;
If necessary, you can interrupt the water supply by pressing the button on the handle of the irrigator.

A pulsating stream of water cleanses the interdental spaces, massages the gums, and freshens breath.

WaterPik WP-112 Ultra - stationary device with microbubble technology

This device immediately catches your eye, the reason is the original color of the case - the irrigator is black. Therefore, it will fit optimally into a stylish bathroom.

In terms of functionality, the irrigator is not inferior to other models; it also effectively removes pieces of food stuck between the teeth and cleans bacterial plaque from the enamel. Using special spatulas, you can clean your tongue and remove dirt from the inside of your cheeks.

Pros:

There is a case for nozzles, it is installed as a lid on a water tank;
the handle for attachments is attached to a special socket on the body;
there is a button to turn on the water supply on the handle;
You can adjust the water pressure during the cleaning process by smoothly turning the regulator on the body;
7 attachments: for teeth, gums, braces, crowns, implants;
nozzles can be rotated: 360 degree rotation is available;
There is a recess into which the hose folds.

Minuses:

short power cord, only a meter.

Types of nozzles

standard nozzle. Designed to improve the quality of oral hygiene. The design of the nozzle ensures gentle and safe cleaning of the space between teeth, effective removal of soft plaque from hard-to-reach areas, prolonging fresh breath;
orthodontic attachment. Designed for maximum quality removal of soft plaque from areas inaccessible to a brush and floss - between crowded or closely spaced teeth, at the border between teeth and gums. Designed for comprehensive oral hygiene while wearing orthodontic systems;
periodontal attachment. The thin and soft tip allows you to remove food fragments and soft plaque from the gum margin and in the gum pocket. In the complex treatment of periodontal diseases, such attachments can increase the effectiveness of therapy, as well as maintain gum health after the installation of dentures and bridges;
for implants. The design features of the tip ensure effective cleaning of implantation systems that require particularly careful and careful care;
tongue spoon attachment. Allows you to carefully remove soft plaque and food particles from the surface of the tongue and cheeks, which prolongs the freshness of your breath after regular brushing of your teeth.

Equipment

The equipment of this model is standard.

It includes several items:

Branded packaging.
The irrigator itself, which is also an electronic unit.
Four nozzles: standard (for a jet of liquid), for cleaning braces, for caring for implants and for cleaning the surface of the tongue.
Built-in battery.
Charger.
Instructions for use (Russian).

Advantages of Waterpik irrigators

Numerous clinical trials have proven the effectiveness of the oral irrigator. The irrigator solves many oral health problems: prevents caries, fights bad breath, and eliminates bleeding gums.

Be sure to use an irrigator if you have: implants, bridges, crowns, removable and fixed dentures, braces. It will help maintain oral hygiene around such structures.

Waterpik Oral Irrigator is the most effective solution for cleaning deep gum pockets and massaging your gums. A pulsating stream of water thoroughly cleanses the interdental spaces and massages the gums.

It is very important to maintain oral hygiene for women during pregnancy. Changes in mineral metabolism during pregnancy reduce the density of dental tissue, teeth become fragile, and bleeding gums may occur. It has been proven that gum disease can lead to premature birth. You can easily and simply maintain a healthy oral cavity during pregnancy if you buy an irrigator.

Regular use of the irrigator:

reduces the likelihood of bacterial plaque formation by 24%,
increases the effectiveness of brushing teeth in hard-to-reach areas of the oral cavity by 50%,
reduces the likelihood of caries by 26%,
cleanses, refreshes and improves oral health.

The irrigator has been clinically proven to be 93% more effective than dental floss! You can choose dental irrigator devices in our catalog.

Author of the article

WaterPik WP-260 For kids - irrigator specifically for children (2013)

Does your child hate brushing their teeth and runs away at the sight of a toothbrush? Then you just need to turn an unpleasant procedure into an exciting game.

Encourage your child to use a children's irrigator to clean food particles from the mouth. It is decorated in attractive green colors and has a standard shape. Thanks to the rubber feet, it does not slip on the sink, even if you pull the hose hard.

The power lever is large and convenient, as is the water supply regulator. The child can independently turn the device on and off or adjust the liquid pressure. The device is stored compactly - just turn the water tank over and cover the body with it.

Pros:

minimum jet pressure of 70 kPa – water “strokes” the gums without causing discomfort;
400 ml tank is enough for two procedures;
The set includes two nozzles: regular and for cleaning braces;
comfortable small ergonomic handle with a large start button;
three modes of water jet pressure;
You can fill the reservoir with regular warm water or medicinal infusions.

Minuses:

can only be used when the child reaches the age of 6 years.

Contraindications

The use of the device, and especially its independent purpose, is contraindicated:

for heart diseases (you can check the possibility of use with your attending cardiologist);
with exacerbation of chronic periodontitis;
during the rehabilitation period after surgery in the oral cavity;
with severe rosacea.

Fragile vessels are an absolute contraindication for intensive use of the irrigator. People with this problem can clean their teeth and mouth using a device only in extreme cases and only with water under low pressure.

Criterias of choice

All Waterpik models are divided into 3 groups:

stationary with a number of nozzles from 4 to 7 and with different tank volumes: from 0.45 to 1 thousand ml;
two-speed portable – indispensable when traveling;
children's.

The Children's Waterpick features a low noise level and a small handle size designed for a child. It has a nice green tint and comes with fun removable stickers.

Choosing a suitable Waterpick model is not difficult, but you should pay attention to the following parameters:

Available volume of water. For family use, it is better to take a Waterpick with a volume of 1 liter; for individual use, 450–650 ml is enough.
Pressure range. The larger it is, the easier it is to choose a comfortable operating mode.
List of attachments.

If any attachment breaks or is missing, you can always buy it in addition - elements for Waterpik irrigators are sold separately.