Customer Reviews

WaterPik WP-72 Professional Dental Water Jet

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Well my second one just quit. The first unit lasted about six months. I sent it back to waterpik and they gave me a new one. I have owned water piks that have lasted ten years. What went wrong? this is just junk.

Look at the photo carefully. See the tub up on top where the water goes? It's not attached permanently. It just kind of wobbles up there with a small gasket around the hole in the bottom where the water is fed into the motor. In other words, if you were to remove or bump the tub while it has water in it, it will spill over everything. Also, you can't leave any water in it and place the mouth piece in its holder or set it on your counter for a moment, as it begins to slowly drain water if it's not held higher than the level of the water--a syphoning effect occours.

The tube that extends from the unit to the mouthpiece is cheap and way too short (hardly 3 feet) and it's so strongly coiled it ends up hardly being able to reach 2 feet.

The motor is very loud and sounds like an old rusty boat motor and shakes itself around my counter. (I learned setting it on a towell helps to immobilize it, and quiet it a bit, which is good because I'll also have a towell ready in case I bump into the tub.)

Why then do I use it? Well, because it actually works! Once I mastered the art of using this half-baked contraption, I found my mouth, teeth, and gums are cleaner than ever. The stream of water it puts out is very powerfull and "Piks" up where brushing and flossing leave off. I'd gladly buy a better brand if one existed, but to my knowledge, WaterPik are the only ones making such a machine. I think that explains why WaterPik has cut so many corners making this thing--no competition! No one else wants to make them.

I was happy with the unit when I got it, but the motor failed after about 6 months. I won't be purchasing another Waterpik.

Sure, my Waterpic leaks a little, noisy and, rattles and shakes however, when I figure how much money this machine has saved me in dental bills over the past 20 years, I could care less about it's little shortcumings. According to my dentist, at my age of 60, my teeth and gums are in excellent condition. Brush your teeth and then, use the Waterpic. You will be amazed at how much gunk was left behind by just using the toothbrush and, this is the gunk that causes much of the tooth decay.

As a 10+ year user of Waterpik, I'd say this one works as it promised. It cleans the teeth better than flossing but much quicker and easier. Together with brushing, this makes a complete dental cleaning system.

Compared to my old one that lasted 10+ year, this one work smoother, quieter, and pulse faster. Putting on the tips are easier and the clear water reservoir looks really nice. I have not tried the smaller enclosed reservior yet but it will be nice for using Listerine.

If you are not familiar with this kind of cleaner, you will experience things other reviewers mentioned: the cord pull back, the hard water stop button, etc. But for me, this is as good as it gets. The main idea is to get pulsing jet of water to clean your teeth. So you can't get away with cord, water splatting, etc. But the concept works.

Last, I'm giving it four stars because the water jet is not as strong as my old one. But from my experience, it will get stronger with age. So over all, I love my new Waterpik :)

PS: In the old one, the motor is still running, but the water cord leaks.

I had an older waterpik that lasted for about 10 years but had to "upgrade" to a new one when I couldn't get the old-style jet tips anymore (it was very annoying that the jet tips would wear out so fast; I was replacing them every few months. Smells like "planned obsolescence" to generate tip sales).

So the new one worked for a few months before it gradually took longer and longer to develop a useable pressure. The pump motor eventually seized and so into the garbage it went.

After reading here about how others have run into the same problem it's obvious the product is APOC so I Will Never Buy Another WaterPik Product Again!

The handle is way to small to fit in an adult's hand. The hose is too stiff and tries to stay coiled. The pause button is difficult to hold down. The entire unit is very loud especially when you try to pause it. I bought mine tonight, but it will be returned tomorrow. The pulsating water does seem to do a decent job of cleaning if you can get good enough to apply it properly. I do not recommend purchasing this unit!!!!