WaterPik WP-72 Professional Dental Water Jet

by Waterpik

Product Features

• Recommended most by dental professionals
• Number one choice by consumers
• Great for people with braces
• Healthier Gums in 2 weeks, guaranteed

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

When used after regular brushing and flossing, this Waterpik irrigating system removes stubbornly lodged food bits and bacteria that can cause gingivitis and bad breath. Two reservoirs with ounce/millimeter guides are included: a large one for warm water and a small one for antibacterial solutions. Of the four cleaning attachments, two send pulsating jets of water into hard-to-reach crevices, especially around braces, crowns, and bridgework. A soft rubber-tipped attachment cleans under the gums, while the fourth attachment is a spoon-like device that scoops bacteria off the tongue, keeping bad breath at bay. An on/off switch is located on the base, which plugs into the wall, while a switch on the tool handle regulates pressure. The large reservoir doubles as a cover. With the cover on for storage, the compact Waterpik unit measures 7-1/4 by 4-3/4 by 4 inches. It comes with a two-year warranty against defects. --Ann Bieri

Product Description

The Waterpik Oral Cleaning System's gentle, pulsating action has been clinically proven to clean away Gingivitis-causing bacteria where brushing and flossing can't reach. Great for everyone, this oral cleaning system is perfect fro cleaning araound brac

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.3 x 4.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000063SLQ
• UPC: 073950230339 073950200028
• Item model number: WP-72
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,158 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)
  • #46 in Health & Personal Care > Personal Care > Oral Hygiene > Oral Irrigators

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

123 of 129 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Best of its type, March 4, 2003

By 

Keith Nichols (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: WaterPik WP-72 Professional Dental Water Jet (Health and Beauty)

May 2003 -- I bought a WaterPik irrigator the day Lee Harvey Oswald was murdered (November 1963) and used it for 40 years. It's great for removing particles from among your teeth and has pressure settings that provide gentle to painful pulsations. The problem of splatter is avoided by closing the lips somewhat during use and leaning over the sink so the water can flow out of the mouth.

The other day when the pump in the 40-year-old WaterPik gave up, I rushed out and bought another WaterPik (the manufacturer no longer makes pumps for the old model). This new one worked okay for about six weeks before refusing to turn on. The store swapped it for another one four days ago. So far, it works fine, although I might note that the original WaterPik was more compact and easier to manipulate than the new design.

Update, May 26, 2006 -- The WaterPik still works more or less, but it often refuses to emit any water at all and at its best produces a stream at only one or two of the pressure settings. This gadget is obviously not built to the standards of the original.

Further update, July 13, 2006 -- The WaterPik (actually a model WP-60) produces no pulsations, and the water in the reservoir runs out the bottom of the base unit all over the counter. I assume the pump and/or the connection between the reservoir and the pump is leaking. The repair facility listed in the WaterPik web site says it does no repairs but merely sends items under warranty to the factory.

The original WaterPik design was simple, functional, and reliable. There was no need to change it at all. But the current models are larger, the pressure control has been removed from the base unit to the "wand," where it is nigh impossible to set one-handed during use, although the setting is easily changed inadvertently during use. The reservoir cannot be placed down over the base unit without removing the tip from the wand, whereas in the original design, the wand stood outside the base unit so that this could be done.

Further update, July 27, 2006 -- I now have a new Waterpik, the "Ultra Dental Water Jet." The device has no model number, only this name. So far it works just fine and has the advantage of being considerably smaller than the WP-60. Cost about $60, though, at Target. The Teledyne name no longer appears on the product or literature, so maybe the Waterpik company has re-formed itself for the better.

92 of 98 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but messy., October 10, 2002

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: WaterPik WP-72 Professional Dental Water Jet (Health and Beauty)

This product DOES do the job and do the job well! However, water goes EVERYWHERE! I have yet to figure out how to use it without having to clean the mirror and mop up the floor afterward.

However, if the user has braces, THIS IS THE PRODUCT FOR YOU! Messy or not, it is worth it. Think of how much you paid (or are currently paying off) for those braces!

I waited to post this review for six months. That is when my son got his braces and the dentist recommended this product to me. The water pulses feel wonderful when the gums hurt from fitting and tightenings, and the water can get those little places that a tooth brush (electric or not) cannot reach.

If only there was a way to keep the water from bouncing off the teeth and/or braces and splattering everywhere!

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great product - use some common sense, May 23, 2005

By 

W. L. Holder (Phoenix, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: WaterPik WP-72 Professional Dental Water Jet (Health and Beauty)

This thing is awesome. I was mortified after the first time I used it. Let me start by saying I have an electic toothbrush and use mouthwash. I used it for the first time while getting ready for bed, I had already brushed my teeth and rinsed with Listerine. The amount of food that fell out from between my teeth when I used this really shocked me. I couldnt believe that there was that much left behind after I THOUGHT my mouth was clean!

If you want a clean feeling in your mouth that you have never felt before, use this product and mix the water 50-50 with mouth wash.

Now to the use... Lets have some common sense. You are squirting water onto your teeth, if you stare into the mirror and have your mouth wide open, water is going to go everywhere. Simply keep your mouth partially closed, open just enough for the water to flow out, and lean over the sink in the same manner you would when spitting toothpaste out. Your teeth AND your bathroom will stay clean this way. If you smile like the Joker and dont lean over the sink, your teeth will still be clean but you will be cleaning your mirror and counter top for the next 5 minutes.

The tub (water container) sits nicely on top of the unit. It is held in place by a rubber gromet which keeps the water from leaking out. I have never had a problem with it falling off or leaking. Here comes the common sense again... Make sure it is on a secure part of your counter, not the edge. Make sure it is seated properly on the base, doesnt take any effort, just look at it. I use this thing daily and have never had a leak or accidentally knocked it off its base.

When you first use it, your gums may bleed a little. My dentist said its no big deal, it just shows that you are cleaning deeper than your gums are used to. Your gums will adjust within 2-3 uses. There is also a pressure adjustment switch and you can build up to full power if you wish.

My teeth have never been as clean as they are now. My breath is fresher. My mouth feels cleaner that it has ever felt. This is a great product.