Waterpik vs. Braun OxyJet

Sardonicus · Post by **Sardonicus** » 25th Apr, '09, 19:14

Ok, not really a geek thing but wasn't sure which are to post this. You're all probably viewing through "Today's Posts" anyway....

So, as frivolous as it seems in these dark financial days, where we rarely spend anything on anything, the idea of getting an irrigatior keeps coming up in the S household so we're shopping and researching.

First of all, Waterpik availability in Singapore is limited to a few places and seems a bit dodgy. I saw the "two year warranty" on the box marked-out. Secondly, as with many things, compared with prices overseas, for both brands sold here they are double or triple. Thirdly, the options here from what I've found so far are more limited.

I have not found other brands, like Panasonic, here yet.

From the reviews on Amazon, the consensus is:
- Waterpik quality is lacking, the pumps stop working, are noisy, the tubes break easily
- a variety of issues with the rechargeable models over the base-connected ones
- the more expensive Brauns don't have enough water pressure

Anyone have personal experience with reasonably recent models for these?

Lili Von Shtupp · Post by **Lili Von Shtupp** » 25th Apr, '09, 20:30

I've used Waterpik with good success. Had a Phillips that had no water pressure. Threw it away.

Fat Bob · Post by **Fat Bob** » 26th Apr, '09, 00:16

I had to wonder what you were posting about. And hey, not trying to trivialise this or anything....which means I'm going to.

It's a toothbrush. OK, they are both toothbrushes...

On amazon, the Waterpick is less than US$50. And I'm not sure which model you want.It's now at the price that people are happy if it lasts a year.

But, yes, you are right. Singapore is 2-3x more exensive than most other places for these sorts of things. Look at vitamin suppliments, berrocca and the like. In which case, why not wait until next time you are back in Australia/US/UK and buy then. That's what I'm doing next time I'm back.

Sardonicus · Post by **Sardonicus** » 26th Apr, '09, 00:49

Well...they're not toothbrushes, though they also make waterjet toothbrushes.

These are irrigators, and are more for the gums than the teeth themselves.

Fat Bob · Post by **Fat Bob** » 26th Apr, '09, 00:52

the fact they are tooth brushes or not is not the issue. But them next ime you are in Aus/US/UK etc. Try "australian pharmacy online" in google. you'll find enough info there to see what you need

Sardonicus · Post by **Sardonicus** » 26th Apr, '09, 01:29

Oh yeah, I have a Braun electric toothbrush, bought it here years ago, still works great.

Kooky · Post by **Kooky** » 26th Apr, '09, 06:57

Ooh, topical. I hate to floss - it makes me gag - but I have big problems with my gums (or more accurately with my disappearing jaw bone) and my dentist keeps telling me off. I have an appointment with a periodontist to have scary things done to me.

Neither dentist nor periodontist has mentioned these gadgets to me. I use an electric toothbrush given to me by my previous dentist (the lovely Dr Ang), which is an Oral B Professional Care 8500, and recently started using Piksters - tiny interdental brushes from the pharmacy. I find them very good and easy to use.

Sardonicus · Post by **Sardonicus** » 26th Apr, '09, 11:09

Whatever you do, don't waste your money on those electronic flossers - I got one as a freebie with something else like electric toothbrush refils, I think it was Oral B. Just a rubber toothpick-y thing which vibrates and does nothing useful.

Pinklepurr · Post by **Pinklepurr** » 26th Apr, '09, 14:35

My old periodontist (I havent' been for a while and will now go back in Oz and get told off there

) said that those irrigators are OK but don't do anything special but they won't do any hard. He also said that you can do the same thing with things like Kooky mentions and for a lot less cost. I had asked about them as I find flossing really hard to do but have shocking gum/bone problems so need to do extra to keep it all at bay.

BoD · Post by **BoD** » 26th Apr, '09, 21:47

I too have had gum problems, but since I started using the interdental brushes all seems to be fine. Flossing is much harder and as far as I can see less effective. I think though that perhaps if my gums were really good that the gaps would not be big enough for the little brushes and that flossing would be the way to go

Pinklepurr · Post by **Pinklepurr** » 27th Apr, '09, 00:04

I do think that a lot has to do with how your teeth are positioned as well. I have never been able to floss properly because my teeth are so close together that I can't get it between without hassles, hence the little brushes work better with my stuffed gums (which are probably worse because of the same).
Perhaps if my gums were in better nick then the waterpik type thing would be the way to go.

Kooky · Post by **Kooky** » 27th Apr, '09, 05:07

Me too, PP, on the crammed in teeth - I had 8 of my adult teeth out as soon as they came through for that reason - but when I had all my front ones (16) crowned Dr Ang tested them out with floss. I still have problems with one, space-wise, but the main thing for me is the excessive bleeding. It is self-perpetuating - if you floss more, you should bleed less, but it's totally yuk to do it.

I first had problems with my gums just after my hysterectomy, I developed huge holes in them and almost lost my teeth, so anyone with serious problems should consider hormonal links.

I've been wondering about this a lot lately - sad, I know, but have had such problems with teeth over the years; I don't think Brits grow up being taught to floss, and suspect the same of Aussies. Do Americans?

Lili Von Shtupp · Post by **Lili Von Shtupp** » 27th Apr, '09, 08:44

Confessions of a dental floss junkie. I get excited just seeing the little white boxes. I have two on my desk at the moment, a couple in the toilet, a few in various bags. I often floss while reading Singaporum.

Sardonicus · Post by **Sardonicus** » 27th Apr, '09, 09:13

Mrs. S. is from none of those places, flosses every night, and has no teeth issues. She's got me doing it about every-other night, but sadly started it that at frequency too late in life.

Bought the Waterpik last night, BTW. $S160 family model. Comes with the 2-year warranty voided and a 7-day guarantee (or warranty?).

Stopped working before we could even try it out. Will try to return it for a full refund. Was too impatient, should have held out for this:
http://www.amazedshop.com/personal-heal ... r-jet.html , hope it works here.

Others: http://www.amazon.co.uk/KITTY-HYDRO-FLO ... B000W8GJDW

slinky · Post by **slinky** » 27th Apr, '09, 12:23

Lili Von Shtupp wrote:I often floss while reading Singaporum.

Cool. Now I can get on with my day.....

canuck · Post by **canuck** » 27th Apr, '09, 12:37

Lili Von Shtupp wrote:Confessions of a dental floss junkie. I get excited just seeing the little white boxes. I have two on my desk at the moment, a couple in the toilet, a few in various bags. I often floss while reading Singaporum.

eugh, tooth lint in the keyboard

Lili Von Shtupp · Post by **Lili Von Shtupp** » 27th Apr, '09, 15:09

What can I say? Slow news day.

Kooky · Post by **Kooky** » 27th Apr, '09, 16:40

Bits of decaying food on the screen - mmmm.

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Waterpik vs. Braun OxyJet

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