[sidebar]See what we found when Prevention tested two new electronic alternatives in teeth technology. Philips Sonicare AirFloss, ($89.99, philips.com) How it works: Slightly larger than an electronic toothbrush, this chargeable flosser uses bursts of air mixed with a bit of water or mouthwash to push out the debris between your teeth. Place the tip at the base of your gums between each tooth and send several blasts of air between your teeth. The entire process takes about a minute. How it performed: Although it’s easily portable and you get up to 14 flosses for every full charge, we found it wasn’t able to dislodge pesky popcorn kernels from between our teeth. Bottom line: Dentists will tell you this tool is not a replacement for flossing—think of it as a supplement, or something to use in a pinch.
Media Platforms Design TeamWaterpik Traveler Water Flosser, ($69.99, waterpik.com)How it works: Just fill the plastic bin with water, plug in your flosser, and squirt a steady stream of water between each of your teach. You can choose from a variety of tips that can work around your teeth in different ways (from maneuvering around bridges and crowns to removing bacteria from your tongue), or use different tips for each member of the family. How it performed: Success! This flosser dislodged those stubborn popcorn kernels. Plus, research shows that adding a water flosser to tooth brushing was up to 93 percent more effective at improving gum health than toothbrushing and string flossing. Bottom line: Just watch out for the laser-sharp stream of water, caution dentists—if you turn up the power all the way, you might damage your gums.
