FAQs

Does it actually work?

Can a water flosser really replace string floss?

For a lot of people, yes. For some it works alongside string floss rather than instead of it.

Water flossing is a well studied way of cleaning between the teeth and along the gumline, and it is usually the first thing recommended for anyone with braces, bridges, implants or crowns, where string floss is awkward or close to impossible. It is also the method people actually keep using, which matters more than any head to head comparison. The floss you use every night beats the floss sitting unopened in a drawer.

If you have specific gum problems or a lot of dental work, ask your dentist what they want you doing. That is their call, not ours.

Will it stop my gums bleeding?

Gums generally bleed because of inflammation from plaque sitting between the teeth and along the gumline. Cleaning that area properly and consistently is what settles it down, and most people notice a change within a couple of weeks.

If bleeding carries on past that, or it is heavy, see a dentist. That is not something a device should be diagnosing for you.

Is it going to spray water round my bathroom?

Only if you switch it on before your mouth is shut, which everyone does exactly once.

Lean over the sink, put the tip in your mouth, close your lips around it, then turn it on and let the water fall out of your mouth into the basin. Start on the lowest pressure setting for the first few days.

Does it hurt?

It should not. The higher settings feel firm, and on inflamed gums they can be uncomfortable at first. Start low and work up as things settle. If one particular spot is painful every time, mention it to your dentist rather than powering through it.

Using it

What are the four tips for?

The Hydro Clean Pro comes with four interchangeable tips, including a tongue scraper. The standard jet tip is the one you will use most days. The others cover more specific jobs: getting around orthodontics and dental work, and the tongue, which is where a lot of breath problems actually live.

How long does it take?

About a minute once you have the hang of it. Work along the gumline and pause briefly between each tooth rather than sweeping straight across in one pass.

Can I put mouthwash in it?

Water is what it is built for, and warm water is what most people find most comfortable. If you want to add mouthwash, dilute it and rinse the reservoir through with plain water afterwards so nothing dries inside.

How do I look after it?

Empty the reservoir after each use rather than leaving water standing in it, and rinse the tip. That is most of the job. Every few weeks, run a full reservoir of warm water through with no tip fitted to flush the line.

How waterproof is it?

It is built to be used at a sink and handled with wet hands, and the tip and nozzle end are designed to get wet. We have not confirmed a formal IP rating on the unit we ship, so we are not going to print one. Do not submerge it and do not leave it standing in water.

How long does a charge last?

The manufacturer states up to 60 uses per charge. Real life will be lower if you live on the highest pressure setting, which is true of every cordless unit in this category. It is cordless and rechargeable, so it charges the way your phone does and it travels without a plug adapter.

How often should I replace the tips?

Every three to six months, the same rule as a toothbrush head, and sooner if a tip bends or the jet starts firing off centre. Replacement nozzles are on the site.

The toothbrush

What does the SonicClean Pro actually do differently?

It is a sonic brush running between 30,000 and 50,000 movements a minute, with five modes: deep clean, plaque removal, whitening, gentle clean and massage. Four brush heads come in the box and the bristles are medium.

Does it have a timer?

Yes, and it is the useful kind. It runs for two minutes and pauses briefly every thirty seconds so you know to move to the next quarter of your mouth. Most people who think they brush for two minutes are brushing for about forty five seconds.

Do I need both the flosser and the brush?

No. They do different jobs and the flosser is the one that reaches what a brush cannot, so if you are buying one thing, buy that. The brush is there for people who want to replace a manual one at the same time.

Buying

What is the difference between the Hydro Clean Pro and the Fairywill?

The Hydro Clean Pro at $59.99 is ours and it is what most people buy. The Fairywill FW-5020E at $89.99 is a branded unit we stock for people who want a specific make rather than a house brand. Both are cordless water flossers and both do the same job.

Why not just buy the cheapest one I can find?

Plenty of cheap ones work. What tends to go on the very cheap units is the pump and the charging, usually a few weeks in, and there is nobody to email when it does.

What the difference buys here is four tips including the tongue scraper, a 30 day window to send it back, cover if the motor, the pump or the charging fails, and a person who answers your email. If none of that matters to you, buy the cheap one.

Can I return it if I do not get on with it?

Yes, and you can use it first. You have 30 days from delivery. Everything that came in the box needs to come back, and return shipping is yours unless it arrived damaged or faulty. Full detail is on our refund policy page.

How long does delivery take?

Orders are processed in 1 to 2 business days and we ship Monday to Friday, so an order placed at the weekend starts processing on Monday. Most arrive within 7 to 15 days, and you get a tracking number by email as soon as it ships.

Anything not answered here, email support@flosencare.com and a person will get back to you.