Water flossers—electronic machines that shoot a thin stream of water to clean between your teeth—are a great alternative to traditional string floss. Not only can they help you cut back on plastic waste, but they’re also easier to maneuver around your mouth than a piece of string. And depending on the model, they can even work in the shower.
But keeping a water flosser clean requires some diligence. Amy Lemons, a registered dental hygienist, says it should be deep-cleaned every one to three months—unless you notice any signs of mold, biofilm, or mineral deposits from hard water, in which case she says you should clean it right away.
“One easy way to prevent [mold growth] from happening is to make sure the water reservoir is completely empty after use,” she says. “Dry any remaining water out with a towel if your model of water flosser allows you to easily remove the reservoir.”
Thankfully, deep-cleaning a water flosser is blissfully easy. We asked Lemons for advice on how to get your device squeaky clean.
Our pick
This powerful cleaner with 10 pressure settings delivers that “just left the dentist” feeling. But it’s larger than some other models, and it requires an outlet and a good deal of counter space.
