With the unit in the OFF position, allow gravity to drain the vinegar solution through the Water Flosser. Six heads including two classic jet tips, one toothbrush tip, one orthodontic tip, one periodontal tip and one tongue cleaner In terms of technique, position the end of the tip a few millimetres away from your teeth. Dr Khurrum says, “Direct the stream towards the gum, aiming for the spaces between the teeth to remove trapped debris. If you have gaps between your teeth, angle the nozzle towards each tooth.”

The heads included are pretty standard although, again, I appreciated the inclusion of a tongue scraper. I found myself switching between the classic jet and the tongue scraper most often. The other two would work well for anyone with any dental concerns. Eat well, live better and stay healthy. Sign up for our free monthly Food & Health newsletter, it's free monthly You should also look at the capacity of the water tank, which defines how long you can floss without a refill, and how it’s powered. Most flossers are now cordless and have a built-in lithium-ion battery, but they’ll need to be plugged in or placed on a charging cradle periodically to keep them going. This means that a battery charge indicator is another real plus. This Binefia water flosser surprised me the most of any I tried. If I’m being completely honest, I saw the price point and the unknown brand name and made a judgement. How wrong I was. This water flosser is my best value choice on this list because it has six jet tip attachments, a 300ml water reservoir, a sturdy travel case which has compartments to hold the attachments and charger and premium-feeling metal buttons. Set the Water Flosser to the highest pressure setting, and if the handle has an on/off slide switch, make sure it is in the ON position. Then point the handle downward towards the sink and turn the unit on; this generally starts the flow of water within 30 seconds.Water flossers, also known as oral irrigators, are completely different from the painful, harsh and environmentally unfriendly ways of traditional flossing tape. So, what is a water flosser? Dr Khurrum Hussain, a dentist and clinical periodontist at Bupa Dental Care explains, “These devices use a steady high-pressure, or pulsating stream of water to target the areas between the teeth near the gum line.” Use a water flosser before brushing your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste, advises Dr Khurrum Hussain. “This allows debris to be removed from the spaces between the teeth, enabling better fluoride absorption from the toothpaste onto the enamel.”

Key specs – Pressure: Not stated; Tank capacity: 250ml; Modes: 2; Tips provided: 2; Battery: Li-ion; Battery life: 14mins; Charger: USB Type-C, cable and charger provided; Dimensions: 60 x 75 x 280mmThe key thing, as with the cheaper model, is that the Cordless Advanced does a brilliant job of cleaning while covering a range of different needs. At its lowest intensity setting, you get a gentle clean that’s good for new users or more sensitive gums, while there’s enough welly at the top setting to clean deep between your teeth and all around the gum line. How do they work? In most cases, they fire a stream of water under pressure around the gum line and into the gaps between your teeth. This removes any food particles left behind after brushing and chips away at any plaque. They’re particularly good in areas of the mouth where you might struggle to floss, and can also help clean around bridges, braces and false crowns. Waterpik advice says to do this by filling the water reservoir with one to two tablespoons of white vinegar mixed with warm water and running this through the water flosser. Yet the important thing is that the Cordless Plus still delivers an excellent clean. The lower intensity isn’t too weedy, making it ideal for starters or users with sensitive teeth, while the higher intensity does a great job of cleaning around the gum line and between your teeth without going overboard and making things uncomfortable. Fill reservoir at least half-full of water. Ensure the reservoir is firmly seated onto the base of the unit. Press down firmly to engage the reservoir to the base of the unit.