The Best Travel Water Flosser

Buying Guide

Brushing alone won’t get rid of all of the food particles and bacteria lurking in and around your teeth. According to the U.S. News & World Report, only 30% of Americans use dental floss daily after brushing. If you’re looking to improve your oral health, but find using dental floss difficult and time-consuming, consider using a water flosser instead. There are plenty of travel-friendly models on the market that you can even take with you when you go on a business trip or family vacation.

Look for a travel water flosser that is lightweight and compact, so you’ll be able to toss it in your carry-on bag. Some models are fully collapsible. The upper portion of these flossers is able to slide down into the handle when not in use.

Next, you’ll need to check the capacity of the rechargeable lithium battery. Believe it or not, but there are actually travel water flossers that reach a full charge in just a few hours. This charge will then last for up to 40 days, depending on the model you select. Some models also come with a USB cable and UL certification charger adapter, which is handy if you don’t want to wait for the battery to recharge.

Review the available water pressure settings on the travel water flosser. While some models only have a choice between two pressure types, others have as many as six. There are even models in the market with a DIY mode. These allow you to adjust the water pressure until it matches your comfort level.

Check the capacity of the water tank. One with a 300 milliliter is ideal, as this will allow you to complete a full mouth flossing without having to stop and refill the tank. It’s also helpful if the tank has a wide opening, as this will make the unit easy to clean. Otherwise limescale and bacteria will build up in the tank.

Consider the water flosser’s nozzle. Some models come with one simple nozzle that rotates a full 360 degrees, which allows you to reach every area of your mouth, while others have interchangeable nozzle heads.

Determine whether there are any extras that make one travel water flosser stand out from another. There are models that come with a car charger, while other models offer a built-in timer that shuts off after 2 minutes of use. There are even flossers that are waterproof inside and out, so consumers can use them in the shower.

• It’s important to schedule a routine cleaning of your travel water flosser. You can do this after returning home from your trip or stick to a once per month cleaning. Start off removing the flosser’s water tank and clean it using your dishwasher. Fill the water tank with 8 ounces of water and 1 tablespoon of white distilled vinegar and return it to the flosser. Run this mixture through the flosser to clean out the internal parts. Dump any remaining solution out of the water tank, rinse it clean and fill it back up with water. Run the water through the flosser to remove any traces of the previous solution. Wipe down the outside of the water flosser using a soapy dishrag and soak any nozzles in either hydrogen peroxide or vinegar.
• When using the water flosser, you may want to close your lips to prevent splashing.
• Since travel water flossers have different water capacities, varying jet nozzles and charge times, they come in different price ranges. The Waterpik Cordless Travel Water Flosser is affordably priced. You’ll pay the most for models that have a large water reservoir, two charging options and a 360-degree rotatable nozzle.