Waterpik Whitening water flosser review

How the Waterpik whitening water flosser looks, feels and works

This water flosser comes packaged in a cardboard box. This box promotes all of the key features it offers, including the whitening as well as pointing out key function buttons found on the device.

Inside the box, you get all of the items listed above in ‘what’s in the box’.

By the very nature of the product, it will be a bit bulky because it has a water tank/reservoir on board to allow the flossing action to take place.

However, as water flossers go, I have to say Waterpik have done a good job with the overall design, look and feel of the product. It feels good quality and not particularly ‘cheap’. I do think the WF-05 variant, not commonly sold in Australia s a touch sleeker, but that is personal opinion.

It comes in what Waterpik call ‘white and satin chrome finish’.

The images shown throughout this review demonstrate best how the unit looks, but the main body and flossing handle are all a matte white with the satin chrome really accenting the top of the flossing handle and around the control dial for the pressure settings.

The main controls are found to the lower left side of the units.

The flosser handle sits within a holder on the front of the unit, with the pipe that runs between the pump and the handle coiling away nicely to the lower right side. At full stretch, there is about 1 metre here.

The upper half of the water flosser is made up of a 650ml (22oz) clear plastic reservoir in which the water sits.

User removable the tank is, in the base is a valve which seals closed until the tank is firmly pressed back into the unit, at which point the seal opens to allows water to flow into the pipework below ready for pumping out of the nozzle.

On top of the water tank is the lid come storage case for the tips.

Around the back there is little to speak of aside from the power cable which reaches out from the unit.

Hard wired into the electronics inside, the power cable is not user removable. At full stretch it is about 140cm (1.4 metre) long.

The plug on the end of the power cable is a 2 pin plug suitable for Australian homes.

The unit only supports 230-240v so can be used locally, but you will need plug and voltage adapters should you travel internationally with it.

All the electronics, such as the motor/pump are sealed in the unit and are not accessible to you and me, unless we begin actively dismantling it.

Where some models come in an array of different colour options at the time of review there are no alternative choices. Perhaps this is strategic, the white colour of the unit to match the white colour of your teeth?!

Whilst it will take up some space on the bathroom countertop or shelf, the footprint is relatively small all things considered and I do believe Waterpik have worked hard to reduce the overall size. The unit isn’t all that tall either.

Supplied in the box are 4 tips or nozzles if you prefer, that fit to the handle of the flosser.

You need to fit one of these tips, otherwise things are not going to work properly.

Those supplied are:

• 2 x WJT-2E Waterpik whitening water flosser classic jet tips
• 1 x WPS-2E Waterpik whitening water flosser plaque seeker tip
• 1 x WOD-2E Waterpik whitening water flosser orthodontic tip

The classic jet tip is the one that most users will opt for, assuming no complex dental needs.

The plaque seeker tip is ideal for those with crowns, bridges and other restorations, whilst the orthodontic tip is ideally suited to brace wearers.

It is nice to see a few included to get you up and running, although they do feel a waste if you won't ever use a particular tip.

Also included is a tip storage case. A plastic box that doubles up as the lid to the water tank there is nothing particularly special about the box itself. It holds 3 nozzles.

If you can share the flosser with another person, be that a husband, wife, partner or the kids, you will get more value from it.

When you buy the replacement tips, they usually come in packs of two.

One tip usually has a grey plastic band around it, whilst the other will have a white plastic band. These coloured bands act as the identifiers between whose tip is whose, because each user should have their own tip for hygiene reasons.

Sadly, there are no additional colour options that I am aware of. A family of four may need to find another way of distinguishing whose tip is whose.

The classic jet tip should be replaced on average every 6 months.

The design of each tip provided with the WF-06 whitening water flosser are for the most part the same as any other Waterpik model. But, slightly different is the way they fit into the handle of the water flosser itself.

This means, that this whitening model has a new way of fitting the heads and a design that means tips suitable with most other Waterpik flossers simply will not work here.

Previously the tips clipped in and out of the handle, much like a brush head does on an electric toothbrush.

However, with this whitening water flosser, you open the handle, by pressing the button on the front and insert the tip from within, pushing it through a hole at the top. A dot on the tip aligns with a dot on the handle.

It is not a massive issue, but a small frustration, particularly for existing Waterpik users who may be thinking of upgrading.

It does mean that existing tips like the toothbrush, tongue cleaner and pik pocket tips do not fit.

The button that opens up the very top of the flosser handle is the same button that needs to be pressed to insert the whitening tablets, that I will speak about shortly.

The tablet fits into a recess inside the handle, below the hinged joint at which the tip is installed. The hands on images best demonstrate what I mean here.

Also noteworthy is the fact that the tips do not rotate 360 degrees on this unit like they do on many others.

The rotation allowed for more accurate positioning of the tip within the mouth. Typically you would use the index finger to rotate the top of the flosser handle, which in turn rotated the tip.

Whilst useful, I don’t think all that many used it as actually manipulating the position and rotation of the handle in the hand that holds it, is often as effective.

However, this model has what Waterpik call a ‘swivel handle’.

What this means is that the tube that runs from the handle to the main flosser unit rotates at the connection point. So essentially you can swivel the handle 360 degrees in hand instead of rotating the tip. Similar, just different.

The handle in which the tips and whitening tablets fit is of a cylindrical design, which is smooth and comfortable to hold in the hand. It tapers at the bottom where the hose feeds the water supply in.

Whilst grips on the handle are limited, the slider on off button is the point at which the index finger naturally rests and allows for a comfortable in hand hold.

The slider is useful for controlling the flow of water whilst flossing. It is nice and simple to switch on and off, without the need to reach over to the main unit mid floss.

Do be aware though, this controls the water flow only and does not turn the pump on or off, you need to press the power button on the main unit for that.

You have about 100 cm of length from the tip of the nozzle to the hose running into the flosser. That is enough length for most.

The hose is colour matched white to the rest of the unit.

A plastic frame attached to the main unit offers a place to sit the handle upright when not in use.

The WF-06 has a large white on/off flick switch to turn the unit on. Located below this is the pressure setting dial.

Just twist the large and easy control dial to one of ten different settings, to find the most appropriate setting for you.

The pressure ranges from 10 to 100 PSI, or in other words from gentle through to the really powerful. Most are going to find the setting 6-8 most comfortable. 10 will likely be too intense for new or inexperienced flossers.

The exact steps required to complete the flossing are outlined earlier in this review, however, there are some things to note and be aware of that help you and improve your use.

It is not essential, but recommended to use lukewarm water. This is because it is more pleasant on your gums when flossing.

You can use mouthwash but it would be expensive and wasteful. If you want to add an extra shot of freshness or flavour to the flossing add a capful or two to the water tank.

For the best whitening results you should start with the front teeth and work towards the back.

Direct the jet at a 90 degree angle, working along the gumline with a brief pause between teeth.

The idea is that you spend 1 minute flossing, 30 seconds on the lower arch of teeth and 30 seconds on the upper arch.

Now make no mistakes if you are new to this, it is more messy than regular flossing and it will take some getting used to. Don’t be surprised by a lot of dribbling and maybe a bit of spray (it’s only water). But soon it will be easier and more enjoyable.

Many people suffer with red, swollen or bleeding gums, which is often a sign of gum disease and that is believe it or not as a result of not cleaning correctly. It is the bacteria buildup that causes the gums to react.

Regular use will lead to healthier gums as the bacteria is removed and the gums begin to recover.

How often you use this is up to you. Once a day is the minimum you should use it really, but twice a day would be ideal to help with any red gums you may have.

Depending on what pressure setting you have selected will depend how much of the 650ml tank is used.

You can on average get about 90 seconds or more of usage time from it, so many will need to replenish the tank, probably between each flossing session.

It is a fair sized reservoir on here and I cannot complain. Even for slightly extended flossing, there is generally going to be enough water.

It is certainly worth noting that the flosser is pretty quiet.

Compared to some older models I have tested, this is nowhere near as loud. There is definitely an audible ‘pumping’ sound that comes from it, but it is not too loud and similar volume to an Oral-B electric toothbrush. It is not quite as quiet as a Sonicare brush.

So, the last thing to cover is the ‘whitening’ aspect of this flosser.

Both this professional variant and the standard model come with one months supply of whitening tablets in the box.

A months supply is 30 tablets.

Each tablet has the following ingredients.

Glycine, xylitol, sucralose, flavor (aroma), copovidone (VP/VA copolymer), sodium lauryl sulfate, dextrin, magnesium stearate and silica.

A single tablet should be placed inside the handle of the water flosser.

The tablet dissolves as the water is pushed out the tip. The water jet is a little more frothy but it delivers a refreshingly sweet flossing sensation that gives the impression at least of a longer lasting freshness.

You can get approximately 2 flossing sessions from each tablet.

Sometimes you will be left with a small remnant that has not fully dissolved. Either floss for longer until it disappears, or you can just dispose of.

You should know you can use the flosser without a tablet, it is not essential, but of course it is one of the key selling points to the product.

A pack of tablets cost $20, which is quite pricey considering they last only a month and there are no options that I have seen to bulk buy several months worth to get a discount.

It would be nice to see a larger pack size not only to help reduce the cost but reduce the packaging as each supply comes in a plastic tub.

Waterpik suggest use of this flosser restores your natural whiteness in just 4 weeks by removing hard-to-reach stains that other products miss. It’s proven to remove an additional 25% more stains than brushing alone, provides all the clinical benefits of water flossing and is as gentle as regular toothpaste.

It is this study that has confirmed that an additional 25% of stains can be removed than brushing alone.

Now, I am not here to bash Waterpik and their claims. The research has been done and found these results, which they are entitled to promote.

However, there are a few things I would like to point out, so that you can fully understand these ‘whitening’ claims.

• Stain removal is different to tooth whitening.
  • The term whitening is confusing and is often applied to stain removal and teeth bleaching, which are 2 different procedures.
  • Waterpik do state stain removal but many do not truly understand the difference between stain removal and whitening.
  • Stain removal will not change the natural colour of the tooth, it will only remove any discolouration to the exterior surface of the tooth that may have been caused by lifestyle choices such as smoking and consuming particular food and drink.
• The study details are not clear or not necessarily fair.
  • It is not clear from the study how many people took part.
  • It is not clear whether participants had the same diet or not as this could have impacted the results.
  • The study compared tooth brushing alone against what appears to be tooth brushing and the use of this Waterpik device.
  • Had the tooth brushing only group used interdental brushes or floss in addition, the results may have been different, in other words not as great.
  • It is not clear whether longer term use of the whitening tablets is necessary to achieve greater and or maintain results.
• You need to use the whitening tablets
  • The whitening tablets are required to achieve the results suggested.
  • The whitening tablets contain silica which is an abrasive and helps with removing stubborn stains.
  • The whitening tablets are expensive and add to the ongoing cost.

The point I am ultimately trying to make here is that the term ‘whitening’ has been used to help market and sell this product and many will expect results that may not actually be delivered.

Stain removal is a better terminology, but it doesn’t sound as good does it.

Having spent many years trying different products and learning about dental procedures including extensive consultation with our in-house dentists, notably Chhaya Chauhan, tooth whitening is much more complex.

Everyone's teeth are different. Diets, lifestyles, medical history and genetics all play a role.

I believe many are going to be underwhelmed by the so called whitening that this product will offer, particularly as many do not have stains on their teeth.

Investing in a good oral tooth brushing routine, including interdental cleaning can remove surface stains as effectively.

Products like this and whitening toothpastes can help, but they are not essential.

You are probably much better spending the premium you would pay for this ‘whitening’ model and the subsequent tablets on a dental hygienist appointment, that will deliver results that far excel that of a water flosser.

With all this said, overall the 06 is a great water flosser. It does complete the interdental cleaning to a high standard, as has come to be expected of Waterpik units.

Their performance is backed by clinical studies and the unit is generally a pleasure to use, converting even ardent ‘I won’t floss’ people to those who will do so, much more regularly.

Ultimately for me it comes down to the fact that the ‘whitening’ sales pitch for this product is a little heavy and plays a little on the consumers naivety to tooth whitening and how it works.

I like Waterpik, but a cheaper model like the WP-660 is a much better investment for most.