How often should you use a water flosser?

Once a day as a routine

Water flosser makers, including Waterpik, generally suggest using a water flosser once a day. Many people find the evening easiest, as part of their bedtime routine. A session usually takes a minute or two once you are used to it.

The NHS advises brushing twice a day for about two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth. It mentions interdental brushes and floss, and says your dental team can recommend the best method for you. A water flosser is one way to clean between teeth; it does not replace brushing.

Is twice a day too much?

Many makers say using a water flosser twice a day is fine, for example after breakfast and before bed. What matters more is a comfortable pressure and good technique. If your gums feel sore, bleed or you notice any change, ask your dentist rather than flossing harder or more often.

Using the flosser for much longer than needed, or at a very high pressure, does not add much. Start low and build up slowly. Our how to use a water flosser guide covers technique.

Before or after brushing?

Makers say either order works. Some people like to floss first to loosen debris, then brush; others prefer to brush and finish with the flosser. The NHS advises not rinsing with water or mouthwash straight after brushing, to keep the fluoride from toothpaste on your teeth, so many people floss first. If you add mouthwash to the tank, see can you put mouthwash in a water flosser?.

How often to change tips

Tips wear and collect residue. Makers give replacement intervals in the manual; Waterpik suggests replacing standard jet tips every few months, and brush-style tips such as orthodontic tips more often. Replace any tip that is cracked, bent or sprays unevenly.

Give each person in the house their own tip. Most countertop flossers come with colour-coded tips for this.

How often to clean and descale

Empty and dry the tank after each use, clean it weekly and descale it every few months if you live in a hard water area, which covers much of England. Scale reduces pressure and can cause leaks. Our guide to how to clean and descale a water flosser covers the steps, and Waterpik leaking covers the most common fault.

How long a flosser lasts

A water flosser does not have a fixed replacement date. Replace it when it no longer holds pressure after cleaning and descaling, leaks from the base, or a cordless battery no longer lasts a session. Check the warranty first; the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 listing, for example, mentions a three-year limited warranty.

When you replace it, consider whether a different design would suit you better; see cordless vs countertop water flosser.

Fitting it into your day

The easiest way to make flossing a habit is to link it to brushing. A combined unit such as the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0, which has a sonic toothbrush and flosser in one, does both from one handle; it appears in our best sonic electric toothbrush guide. If you are choosing a brush to go with a separate flosser, our best electric toothbrush guide compares premium handles.

See the Sonic-Fusion 2.0 →

Frequently asked questions

Can you water floss too much? Using a very high pressure or flossing for a long time adds little. Keep to a comfortable setting and ask your dentist if anything feels wrong.

Can you water floss twice a day? Many makers say yes. Once a day is the usual routine.

How long should a water flossing session take? Usually a minute or two once you are used to it.

How often should I replace my water flosser? When it no longer works well after cleaning and descaling. There is no fixed interval.