Just gotta remember not to go full blast every time or your gums will never forgive you.
Couldn’t agree more. I learned the hard way that cranking it up isn’t always better—my dentist actually told me to dial it back. The countertop one just gets the job done, especially if you have tight spaces or dental work. Cordless is handy, but it’s just not as thorough for daily deep cleaning, at least in my experience.
The countertop one just gets the job done, especially if you have tight spaces or dental work.
That’s reassuring to hear. My kid has braces right now, and I was worried the cordless wouldn’t be strong enough to get around all the wires. We started with the portable one for convenience, but honestly, it just didn’t seem to catch everything. The countertop model is a little bulky, but if it means fewer trips to get wires cleaned at the orthodontist, I’ll take it. Still figuring out the right pressure setting though—too high and it’s like a mini power washer...
We tried the cordless one first because it was cheaper and seemed easier to store, but honestly, I just kept worrying it wasn’t doing enough. My daughter has a retainer, and I could never tell if we were actually getting all the gunk out. The countertop’s a pain to fit on our tiny bathroom counter, but I feel a bit less anxious using it—like, at least I know it’s got some power behind it. Still, I’m constantly fiddling with the pressure because I’m paranoid about hurting her gums... Not sure if there’s a “right” setting or if I’m just overthinking it.
I totally get the pressure thing—my son has braces, and I was worried about blasting his gums too hard. What worked for us was starting on the lowest setting and slowly bumping it up as he got used to it. Honestly, I still check his teeth after just to make sure nothing’s stuck, but the countertop one does seem to clear out more stuff. The tank is a pain, though... we have to move it every time we want to use the sink. Still feels worth it for the peace of mind.
That tank is honestly the main reason I ended up switching to a cordless model for my daughter. The countertop one definitely felt more powerful and thorough, especially when she had her braces on, but it was just too much hassle with our tiny bathroom. I do miss the big reservoir, though—having to refill the cordless mid-session can be annoying. For braces, though, I agree: starting slow and checking after is key. It’s wild how much stuff those things can flush out, even when you think you’ve brushed really well.
