Water flossers have recently become a very popular new dental tool. It’s a great tool to add to your usual teeth-cleaning routine. However, as with most new technologies, there are things that can go wrong.
This guide should help you fix the most common water flosser issues. What could be lurking inside your water flosser might surprise you.
Common Water Flosser Problems
Hard Water Deposits
Hard water deposits can gather inside the flosser and reduce water pressure. They can also gather in the flossing tip which will also reduce water pressure.
Leaks
Sometimes water flossers leak and lose a lot of the water from the reservoir, which reduces available flossing time significantly. This is a common issue, and there are multiple things that can cause it. Luckily, they’re all easy to fix. Leaking water flossers also makes a big mess in your bathroom.
Messes
Finding that your water flosser is messy and gets water all over your bathroom counter is a common problem. However, it usually isn’t caused by a defective model. Using a water flosser without making a mess requires practice, so after a few weeks of use, you should have the mess under control.
If you still have trouble with a mess, check if your water flosser has any leaks.
Noise Concerns
A lot of users complain about their water flosser being very noisy. Many people report having to use the water flosser before anyone in their house goes to sleep because it’s that loud. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about it except consider purchasing a quieter model.
If your water flosser is louder than it used to be, try cleaning it out in case hard water deposits are stopping it up and creating more noise.
Mold
A much more troubling common issue is finding mold growing inside the flossing tips or the hose and water reservoir. Most people who use these don’t notice the mold until they’re sick or peek inside the device. Make sure you check for mold regularly.
How to Fix These Issues
Fixing Hard Water Deposits
One of the most common issues with water flossers is hard water deposits. Lucky, it’s very easy to take care of that problem. All you need to do is follow these steps.
1. Remove the water reservoir and rinse the valve.
2. Place the reservoir on the top rack of your dishwasher and use an air-dry cycle.
3. After the reservoir is clean, put it back on the system and run a vinegar-water solution through the flosser.
4. Rinse the flosser with a full reservoir of clean, warm water.
5. Soak all flossing tips in either hydrogen peroxide or vinegar for five minutes.
Eliminating Mold
1. Fill a large bucket with a solution that is approximately half vinegar and half water.
2. Disassemble the water flosser and place the water reservoir, hose, and flossing tips into the bucket. Allow the parts to soak for forty-five minutes or until they look clean.
3. Use a brush to scrub away any undissolved mold.
4. Remove the parts from the bucket, rinse them off with clean water, and dry them.
5. Reassemble the water flosser and prepare it for the next use.
To prevent mold from growing in the future, you should clean your water flosser every other week by washing the reservoir in the dishwasher and then rinsing vinegar through the system as in the technique to remove hard water deposits.
Fixing Leaks
Handle Leaks
Water flossers can leak if the handle is placed in an incorrect position. Make sure the handle is facing right, with the tip upward, or water left in the hose may leak out.
Leaking Reservoir
This is probably the most common cause of leaks, and it’s the easiest to fix. After you use your device, make sure there is no water left in the reservoir. The valve at the bottom is meant to hold water for the duration of your flossing, but it cannot hold water for long periods of time.
If the reservoir leaks while you’re flossing, remove the valve, and rinse it off. Place it back while taking care that it’s in the correct position. If you still have issues, you may need to order a replacement valve.
Leaking Hose
The hose leaks water. If your hose is leaking, contact the customer support of your water flosser, and request a replacement or a repair kit.
Water flossers are a great new dental tool, especially for people who don’t like traditional flossing or for people with a lot of dental restoration work.
We highly recommend the following Water Flossers.
Waterpik ADA Accepted WP-660 Aquarius Water Flosser
Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser, Brilliant Black
Looking for a top dentist, contact Dr. Paul Feldman at Suburban Essex Dental in West Orange, NJ, in Essex County. For the past eight years, New Jersey Monthly has voted Dr. Feldman one of the top dentists in the state of New Jersey.
