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Water flossers are a popular dental hygiene tool for many — and Waterpik is one of the most recognizable names in the game. The brand’s American Dental Association-approved tools are beloved by reviewers for their powerful plaque-busting abilities, but some of the more heavy-duty models can occupy more real estate, making them inconvenient for smaller bathrooms and unfeasible for traveling.
Luckily, there’s a streamlined option available at Amazon right now — Waterpik’s cordless “Pearl” model — for less than $50, which is almost 30% off its typical price of $69.99. It has a 4.3-star rating on Amazon and over 10,500 reviewers have given the device five stars.
While most of Waterpik’s cordless water flossers are created fairly equal, this pared-down option makes a really smart buy for anyone who wants Waterpik’s powerful pressurized cleaning stream but doesn’t need a lot of bells and whistles. Based on the comparison chart on Waterpik’s website, the Pearl’s main difference from the brand’s normally twice-as-expensive “Advanced” model is that it lacks an LED charging light and isn’t safe for use in the shower, which don’t feel like dealbreakers to us. The Advanced offers three settings as opposed to the Pearl’s dual settings, but the Pearl pumps out 1,450 pulses per minute, which is more than the Advanced. (If any of these are dealbreakers, know that the Advanced model is priced at about $80 on Amazon right now.)
What the Pearl does offer is a promise to banish 99.99% percent of plaque bacteria from your — ahem — pearly whites with an effectiveness rate double that of dental floss. It comes with four interchangeable tips and a 7-ounce water reservoir for up to 45 seconds of continuous cleaning, and the higher-capacity battery life will power the device for a maximum of 36 minutes. It also has global voltage compatibility and a compact 3-inch footprint, so you can whisk it in into your suitcase on your next trip without a second thought (as many of the reviewers below have done).
Read on for more promising reviews of the Waterpik cordless Pearl rechargeable flosser:
“My dentist recommended this product and I’m glad I purchased it. Works well, easy to use, and doesn’t take up too much room in my suitcase when I travel.” — Amazon Customer
“My teeth are very close together which makes standard flossing difficult. I love this water pick as it is easy to use and does a good job.” — Clarence Thistle
“Having owned three previous non-waterpic dental water cleaners that ultimately failed, I can highly recommend the genuine Waterpic as the best and most durable, and the highest quality.” — natca1
“I have had dental problems for many,many years and have owned different waterpiks. This is my favorite. Brushing my teeth never seemed enough to completely clean and refresh my mouth. This does the trick, mainly because of being able to control the water flow. Some pics can be too harsh on your gums but not this one. I bought one for my grands when they got their braces and it works keeping them clean. Yes, it gets a five star because I like it enough to use everyday. Also it is a great value!” — Pat Anderson
Also, oral care calls for more than the right toothbrush! Check the 7 mouthwashes dentists say are effective, curated by shopping reporter, Tessa Flores!
A remineralization oral rinse
This anti-cavity oral rinse contains fluoride and xylitol, both essentials in fighting bacteria, and has an elevated pH to neutralize decay-causing acids in the mouth.
A whitening fluoride rinse
In addition to fluoride, this particular anti-cavity preparation helps to whiten teeth with the use of hydrogen peroxide, an effective stain-lifting agent that Akhavan said should be avoided only in high concentrations because it has the potential to abrade enamel. This popular zero-alcohol rinse also contains bacteria-fighting xylitol and glycerin.
An oral rinse for dry mouth
“For individuals undergoing radiation therapy or taking medications that cause dry mouth, regular use of a mouthwash containing a wetting agent is important for keeping the mouth moist,” Akhavan said. Bacteria binds more readily to teeth in a dry mouth, resulting in bacterial colonies that promote cavities or problems with the gums and supporting bone.
In cases like these, Akhavan suggests Biotene oral rinse because it contains glycerol, a mouth moisturizer that quickly soothes and lubricates the mouth for up to four hours. The brand also claims this formula works to help maintain a balanced pH in the mouth.
“Biotene or any mouth-wetting mouthwash should also stay on the teeth as long as possible, without dilution, for maximal effectiveness. So ideally, mouthwash should be used prior to bedtime with no rinsing after use,” she added.
A pH-balancing mouthwash with xylitol
Akhavan also said baking soda and xylitol are two great mouthwash ingredients.
“Baking soda decreases the pH of saliva and discourages bacterial growth and xylitol prevents the binding of bacteria to the teeth,” she explained.
One brand she liked is no longer in production, but we spotted this pH-balancing mouthwash by Cleure that features baking soda and xylitol and is free from Akhavan’s less-favored ingredients like alcohol and acidic fruit flavorings that can erode enamel over time. This simple-ingredient mouthwash also contains glycerin, a popular hydrator that can help address dry mouth.
An alcohol-free wash good for gingivitis
This Total Care option from Listerine contains all four of those oils in addition to fluoride in order to protect against cavities — all without the inclusion of alcohol, which Chern said can cause or exacerbate dry mouth.
“If you have a high risk of cavities, mouthwashes with extra fluoride or nano-hydroxyapatite are excellent in preventing future cavities,” Chern said.
A nano hydroxyapatite oil pulling rinse
Mouthwash tablets with hydroxyapatite and probiotics
“One thing that will be interesting to watch is hydroxyapatite, an ingredient that some toothpastes are starting to include,” Akhavan said. “Very preliminary studies suggest that it may be as effective as fluoride toothpaste in strengthening the enamel.”
Based on this mention, we tracked down Boka’s convenient mouthwash tablets that contain hydroxyapatite instead of fluoride to help remineralize teeth without stripping the mouth of important microbes. The Boka tablets, which don’t require water to use, also contain dentist-preferred ingredients like baking soda and xylitol.