A water pick is a handheld oral irrigator, also called a water flosser, that aims a pressurized stream of water along the gumline and between teeth to remove plaque and reduce gingivitis.
It’s a small pump with a tip: fill a reservoir, pick a pressure setting, and a pulsating stream rinses food and plaque from spaces a toothbrush can’t reach. Waterpik designs its water flossers for exactly that, cleaning along the gumline and between teeth, and the American Dental Association (ADA) says interdental cleaners are used in addition to brushing to clean between teeth once a day. Here’s what a water pick actually cleans, how it fits a daily routine, and which models match which situation.
What Are Water Picks Used For?
Water picks clean the gumline and narrow gaps between teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach, and help prevent or reduce gingivitis when used as directed. That’s the purpose Waterpik built its ADA-accepted water flossers for, and it’s what separates an oral irrigator from a plain rinse.
The ADA’s guidance: brush twice a day and clean between your teeth with floss or another interdental cleaner once a day. A water pick is that second step for many people, not a replacement for the first.
Where a water pick earns its keep:
- Clearing food and loose plaque from between teeth after meals
- Reaching along the gumline, where a brush head can’t easily work
- Rinsing around braces, bridges, implants, and other dental work
- A gentler option for anyone who finds string floss awkward or uncomfortable
One mistake to avoid: treating a water pick as a full substitute for brushing. The ADA’s twice-daily brushing plus daily interdental cleaning still applies, whatever pressure setting you favor.
Countertop vs. Cordless: Which Type Fits You?
Water picks come in two shapes: countertop units with a large reservoir and hose-and-handle design, and cordless handhelds that run on a built-in battery. The choice comes down to counter space, travel, and how long you want to clean between refills.
Countertop models hold much more water, so you’re not refilling mid-routine. Both are North America only at 120VAC/60Hz, so they aren’t travel devices.
Cordless models trade reservoir size for portability—compact, lightweight, and some designed for shower use. Here’s how current options stack up.
| Model | Key Specs | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Aquarius Professional WP-670 | $109.99 MSRP; 22 oz reservoir; 10 settings; 1,400 pulses/min | Home use with counter space |
| Aquarius WP-660 | $99.99 MSRP; 22 oz reservoir; 10 settings; 1,400 pulses/min | Home use on a smaller budget |
| Cordless Advanced 2.0 (WP-580/WP-583) | $99.99 MSRP; 7 oz reservoir; 3 settings; up to 4 weeks per charge; waterproof | Travel, shower use, global voltage |
| Cordless 1000 (WF-29W011) | $44.99 MSRP; 6 oz reservoir; 2 settings; up to 3 weeks per charge; USB-C | Budget pick and small bathrooms |
| Cordless Gem 5100 | $79.99 listed on Waterpik’s cordless page | Middle-ground cordless option |
How Do You Use a Water Pick Correctly?
Fill the reservoir, choose a pressure setting, insert a tip, and aim the stream along the gumline and between teeth while leaning over the sink. Start on the lowest setting and work up as your gums adjust.
- Fill the reservoir with water and seat it on the base or handle.
- Insert a tip until it clicks into place.
- Pick a pressure setting, starting low if you’re new. The Cordless Advanced 2.0 gives 3 settings; the Cordless 1000 gives low and high.
- Lean over the sink, close your lips loosely, and trace the stream along the gumline and between each tooth.
- Empty leftover water and let the tip air dry.
Charging is the other routine step. Neither includes a wall adapter.
Some Waterpik countertop units ship with specialized tips: Precision, Orthodontic, Plaque Seeker, Pik Pocket, Toothbrush, Tongue Cleaner, and Implant Denture. Matching the tip to your dental work is worth checking. To compare tested options side by side, our water pick roundup lays out what each model does well; Waterpik’s clinical education material on interdental cleaning details the evidence behind water flossing.
Common Questions
Can a water pick replace brushing?
No. The ADA still recommends brushing twice a day and cleaning between teeth once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner. A water pick fills the between-teeth role for many people, but it doesn’t remove the plaque a toothbrush handles across the broad surfaces of your teeth.
Is a water pick safe for braces and implants?
Water picks are commonly used around braces, bridges, and implants, and Waterpik offers tips built for that dental work. Start on the lowest pressure setting, aim along the gumline rather than directly at the hardware, and increase pressure only if your gums tolerate it comfortably.
Can I take a water pick in the shower or on a trip?
Some cordless models are waterproof and designed for shower use, including the Cordless Advanced 2.0 and Cordless 1000. Countertop units like the WP-660 and WP-670 are North America only and aren’t built for travel.
Sources
- American Dental Association. “Floss and Other Interdental Cleaners” Supports the guidance to brush twice daily and clean between teeth once a day.
- American Dental Association. “ADA Seal of Acceptance: Waterpik Cordless Water Flossers” Confirms ADA acceptance for Waterpik cordless water flossers and the scope of that acceptance.
- Waterpik. “Interdental Cleaning Continuing Education” Details Waterpik’s stated indications for its water flossers and the clinical case for water flossing.