I'm really excited about this product. Philips has been a tremendously popular brand in oral healthcare for decades. As Tech Editor and Chief Dental Editor for Dental Products Report, I've been fortunate to be able to use and evaluate many powered brushes over the years.
In the last 5-10 years, the dental profession has begun to really embrace the oral irrigator. For years there were concerns that using water or some other liquid under pressure to clean between the teeth would not provide as good an effect as floss. However, now studies have proven that just isn't true.
Because oral irrigators have gained widespread acceptance in the profession, we have seen a large increase in the number of both manufacturers as well as more model choices from those manufacturers. Choice is good! I love having options with the devices I use and I truly believe that my patients want choices as well. We routinely recommend oral irrigators to our patients.
Since around March of this year (2022) I have been using and evaluating the newest top of the line tooth brush and oral irrigator from Philips Sonicare. My evaluation of the 9900 Prestige sonic toothbrush was postage a while back, but I have also been working with the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser as well.
We all *know* that we should floss. We all know it contributes to better oral health and that better oral health directly relates to better *overall health*. However, humans are funny creatures. Just because we *know* something is good for us doesn't mean we always do it.
Flossing can be difficult. Sometimes it requires coordination someone just doesn't have. Sometimes people have hands that are difficult to maneuver in our mouths for flossing (I happen to be one of those people). Ever since I was a student and learned about the Butler Flossmate, I've used one. The problem is, not everyone wants to or *will* floss.
How do you solve that problem? With the Sonicare Power Flosser! The unit, in an in-vitro study, 180% more effective for healthier gums than manual floss. I have been incredibly impressed with the unit. I am especially impressed with the Quad Stream technology pictured below...
The device has 2 flossing modes, Clean and Deep Clean while each of those modes has 10 adjustable intensities. The unit also comes with 2 different nozzles. There is a Standard Nozzle that provides a single stream. This is the nozzle that most people think of when they think of an oral irrigator. The unit also comes with the previously mentioned Quad Stream nozzle.
I have found that I prefer the Quad Stream nozzle on setting 7. I have quite a few crowns in my own mouth and I prefer that setup which makes my mouth feel "squeaky clean" after using. This unit also comes with a 550ml reservoir which is about 18.6 oz. I found that I usually use one reservoir for the upper and another for the lower. Now, I'd like to state that I'm a dentist so I am probably a little more "overboard" on the cleaning aspect. Most people could probably get by on just one 550ml. I also use the unit prior to brushing with the Prestige 9900 as I like to get anything from between my teeth prior to brushing.
Some people have voiced concerns to me that irrigators can be messy. I don't feel that is true. I use my unit with my head over the sink and my face turned down. Basically my face looking into the sink. That way as the water leaves my mouth it drips directly into the sink. Also, any overspray (which is minimal) goes in the sink as well. The handle that actually goes into your mouth has an on/off switch which you can toggle back and forth so that you never have the unit running when it is outside the mouth.
Recently, Philips has released the Power Flosser Cordless. If you are concerned about mess or overspray, then be concerned no more. I advise patients that are concerned about making a mess to simply step into the shower and use the cordless unit. Heck, your shower is made to get wet! The cordless unit has a 250ml reservoir and a USB charger. It also has 2 modes with each having 3 intensities.
I've been very impressed with my Power Flosser and I recommend it to my patients. If you give it a try I'm sure you'll be as impressed as I am. This product is *highly recommended*!
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