FAQ
GENERAL QUESTIONS
It is a device that uses a targeted, pulsating water stream to remove plaque and food debris from between the teeth, from hard-to-clean tooth surfaces and implant prosthesis surfaces, and from gum pockets. The water stream of a properly selected and used oral irrigator cleans the areas that an ordinary toothbrush cannot reach and ensures comprehensive oral hygiene.
Yes, it is one of the most effective ways to care for gum pockets, orthodontic appliances and implants. The pulsating water stream easily rinses plaque and food debris from under the archwires of braces, from gum pockets and from dental implant prostheses – places that are practically inaccessible to a toothbrush. Regular use of an oral irrigator not only makes oral care easier, but also protects against gum diseases (gingivitis, periodontitis) and inflammation around implants (peri-implant mucositis, peri-implantitis).
A toothbrush and an oral irrigator are two different, complementary dental care tools designed to clean different tooth surfaces. The brush removes plaque from the chewing and side surfaces of the teeth, but the bristles cannot reach as much as 40% of the harder-to-reach tooth area between the teeth and under the gums. An oral irrigator is designed to clean these problem areas. Therefore, by using Aquapick after brushing, you will clean the tooth surfaces the toothbrush cannot reach and thus ensure complete oral hygiene.
Although dental floss cleans the contact points between teeth well, it physically cannot reach gum pockets or clean the areas around dental implants or braces as effectively as the pulsating water stream of an irrigator does. Clinical studies show that an oral irrigator is up to 50% more effective than dental floss in improving gum health. Therefore, for most people the oral irrigator becomes the main tool for cleaning between the teeth. If the contact points between your teeth are very tight, depending on your individual dental condition, oral care specialists may recommend using dental floss as an additional tool after brushing and using the oral irrigator.
Professional oral hygiene performed at a dental clinic and cleaning with an oral irrigator at home are different dental care procedures with different methods and goals. During professional oral hygiene at the clinic, hard, mineralized deposits – tartar – are removed from the tooth surfaces. Meanwhile, regular cleaning with an oral irrigator eliminates the soft plaque that settles on the teeth every day and over time prevents tartar from forming from it.
Therefore, preventive visits to the dentist and professional oral hygiene at the clinic are still necessary (recommended every 6 months). However, when using Aquapick, the hygienist will notice significantly less hard deposit (tartar) and healthier gums. The procedure at the clinic will become quicker and simpler, and your gums will be less sensitive and bleed less during it.
Yes. Bad breath (halitosis) most often arises from bacteria multiplying between the teeth, in gum pockets and on other hard-to-clean tooth surfaces. Aquapick removes the food debris and bacterial build-up that promote decay and that a brush cannot reach, so your breath becomes noticeably fresher.
Water has no direct whitening effect, but by removing coffee, tea or wine deposits from between the teeth, it prevents the tooth enamel from darkening. Your smile looks visually brighter and cleaner, and most importantly – you will start to feel a greater sense of cleanliness than from brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste alone.
The water stream, even at the highest setting, is too soft to damage healthy tissue, let alone tooth enamel, which is the hardest tissue in the human body. Unlike aggressive cleaning with a hard brush, an oral irrigator is the safest way to clean sensitive areas of the teeth and gums. The only exception is cleaning around wounds in the oral cavity (healing wounds after tooth extraction, implantation, mouth ulcers, etc.), which are recommended to be protected from a more intense water stream during the early 4–6 week healing period.
Certainly not. If a filling is of good quality, the water stream has no effect on it. If a filling falls out when cleaning with a toothbrush or an oral irrigator, it is a sign that secondary decay (tooth damage) had already started under it or the filling had come loose, and it would have needed to be replaced in the near future anyway.
Aquapick devices do not have a strong electromagnetic field that could interfere with a pacemaker. However, as before using any other electrical device, we recommend consulting your cardiologist.
Yes, it is not only possible, but many specialists recommend it as a first-choice oral care tool for pregnant women. During pregnancy, due to increased progesterone levels, the gums become more fragile, more sensitive and more prone to inflammation and bleeding (pregnancy gingivitis). The Aquapick irrigator is a safe and gentle way to remove bacterial plaque without damaging sensitive tissues. Regular use of an oral irrigator helps prevent gum problems that, according to scientific studies, can even affect the overall course of pregnancy. The Aquapick pulsating water stream without air admixtures is one of the safest and most effective oral care tools during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
USING THE ORAL IRRIGATOR
For most people who use an oral irrigator every day, 60–90 seconds is enough to effectively clean all the teeth with the irrigator. Please note that the cleaning time depends greatly on the individual cleaning skills and habits you have developed. The first few times you may take somewhat longer than once you have experience and practice cleaning with an oral irrigator. It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to form new cleaning habits. It is recommended to build the habit of using the oral irrigator 2 times a day, after each brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste. This way you will complement brushing and ensure constant cleanliness of the tooth surfaces that the toothbrush cannot reach.
Direct the oral irrigator stream at a 45–90 degree angle into the gum line (the space between the neck of the tooth and the gum) and clean along its entire perimeter around the teeth, dental implants and dental prostheses. If you have deeper gum pockets due to periodontal disease (gingivitis, periodontitis), clean them with a stronger water stream that does not cause discomfort. For more sensitive gum areas you can start cleaning with a weaker water stream and increase its strength gradually over several weeks. Detailed Aquapick video instructions can be found in the HOW TO USE section of our website.
If you are using an irrigator for the first time, we recommend starting with a weaker water stream. Let your gums adapt to the new sensation for 1–2 weeks. After that you can gradually increase the water stream strength to a level that does not cause you discomfort. The strength you need depends on your individual dental condition, but to make full use of the potential of Aquapick devices, it is recommended to reach a water stream intensity from stronger than medium up to maximum.
Lean over the sink, point the tip at the area to be cleaned, gently close your lips around it, and only then turn on the water stream. In the opposite corner of your mouth you can keep your lips slightly open and turn your head to the side so that the water can drain freely into the sink. Some users develop the habit of keeping their lips closed and regularly spit out the water that collects in the mouth during cleaning. It is important not to try to open your mouth wide or to inspect the areas being cleaned in the mirror while the device is running.
We recommend using filtered water, or boiled water cooled to below 40°C. Lukewarm tap water can also be used for cleaning, but if the water in your home is very hard, filtered water will help keep the device's internal systems free of limescale deposits for longer.
Since the main operating principle of an oral irrigator is to mechanically remove plaque and food debris with a pulsating water stream, the manufacturer recommends using only water for cleaning. The essential oils, alcohol or antibacterial substances contained in mouthwashes can settle inside the device, form deposits and clog its internal mechanisms. If you want to use mouthwash, we recommend rinsing your mouth with it after cleaning with the Aquapick irrigator – this way you will achieve the same effect without harming the technical condition of the device.
Bleeding is the most common sign of gum inflammation (gingivitis). Regular use of an Aquapick oral irrigator removes the plaque that irritates the gums and the build-up of bacteria that causes inflammation. Once you start removing plaque with the oral irrigator stream regularly every day, the gum inflammation it causes decreases, and its symptoms – gum sensitivity and bleeding – disappear. You can start cleaning bleeding and more sensitive gum areas with a weaker irrigator water stream, gradually increasing its intensity over several weeks. It is important to mention that if gum bleeding continues for more than 2 weeks or becomes more intense, you should see your dentist for a more detailed assessment of your gum condition.
Yes. In this case we recommend filling the tank with warmer, body-temperature water (up to 40°C) and choosing a gentler water stream. This will give a pleasant feeling of cleanliness without any discomfort.
You should consult the doctor who performed the operation about using dental care tools. Usually, for the first 4–6 weeks after surgery, the stream must not be used in the wound area, so as not to wash out the blood clot and disrupt healing. However, in other, non-operated areas you can usually use the oral irrigator in the normal mode after your first brushing with toothbrush and toothpaste.
Yes, this is one of the main reasons why Aquapick is an excellent choice for a family. One device can serve all family members, with each of them having their own personal tip for hygiene reasons. Aquapick tips are marked in different colors so that family members can easily tell them apart. It is an economical and effective way to ensure the oral health of the whole family.
Under parental supervision, an oral irrigator is recommended for children from the age of 8. It helps to form correct oral hygiene habits from an early age and protects baby teeth and erupting permanent teeth. Remember that you are the best example for your children. Seeing you regularly clean your teeth with an oral irrigator, children will become interested themselves and will want to follow in your footsteps, thus paying more attention to caring for their teeth.
CARE AND SERVICE
Yes, it is recommended to replace the tips every 3 months for portable oral irrigators and every 6 months for countertop ones. Over time, limescale and bacterial deposits crystallize inside the tips from the flowing water, which not only reduces hygiene but also creates additional load that restricts the water stream flow and shortens the service life of the device's internal mechanisms. Timely replacement of tips ensures cleanliness, stable operation of the oral irrigator and increases its durability. Therefore, we recommend having spare tips, which you can find in the PRODUCTS section of this website.
The tips are individually designed and fit only a specific Aquapick device model. When using tips from other manufacturers, we cannot guarantee proper operation of the device, the even loads on its internal mechanisms as calculated by the manufacturer, or its durability. Therefore, it is recommended to use only original Aquapick tips, replacing them regularly every 3 months (for portable oral irrigators) or 6 months (for countertop oral irrigators). You can find the tips suitable for your Aquapick model in the PRODUCTS section of this website.
Yes, to ensure the maximum service life of the device, the manufacturer recommends replacing the handle with hose of countertop oral irrigators every 12 months. Over time, limescale and bacterial deposits that form inside the handle and its hose not only reduce hygiene but also create additional load that restricts the water stream flow and shortens the service life of the device's internal mechanisms. Timely replacement of the handle ensures cleanliness, stable operation of the oral irrigator and increases its durability. You can find the handle and other Aquapick consumables in the PRODUCTS section of this website.
The device will last longest when used with filtered (soft) water. After use, it is recommended to pour the water out of the irrigator's water tank and turn the device on for a few seconds to remove water remaining in its internal parts. This reduces the risk of bacteria and limescale deposits building up and extends the service life of the device. It is recommended to wipe the outside of the device with a dry cloth or towel. Every 1–2 weeks it is recommended to flush the device's system with a special cleaning solution, which you can find in the PRODUCTS section of this website.
If you use a portable oral irrigator model, check that the device is sufficiently charged and perform the steps described in point 10. Review the recommendations in the “Troubleshooting guide” section of the device's instructions. If they did not help, don't worry: for all Aquapick models our service center provides both warranty and post-warranty service, and spare parts are supplied from a warehouse in Lithuania. Therefore we can solve most technical problems that arise very quickly. For Aquapick service, contact our customer service center using the CONTACT details provided on this website.
The warranty is provided for operational or functional defects of the device that arise under normal conditions of use, following the instruction manual and the device care recommendations. The warranty does not apply in cases of repairs in an unauthorized service center, natural wear of parts (tips, handles), mechanical damage (dropping the device), damage caused by the use of foreign liquids (mouthwashes, salt), power grid faults, and failures caused by hard water deposits.
First check whether the tip is clogged with limescale deposits – try replacing it with a new one. Also make sure that the water tank is properly inserted and the suction valve is not contaminated. Every 1–2 weeks it is recommended to flush the device with a special cleaning solution, which you can find in the PRODUCTS section of this website. If you use a portable oral irrigator model, check that the device is sufficiently charged. If these steps do not help, contact our customer service center using the CONTACT details provided.
To make your Aquapick portable irrigator last a long time, try not to fully discharge the battery and do not leave the battery completely discharged for a long time. We recommend charging the device as soon as you notice the stream weakening. Use only the original charging cable and avoid leaving the device charging for more than 24 hours. If you will not use the irrigator for more than a month, it is recommended to store it at least partially charged.
We recommend charging the device as soon as you notice the stream weakening. If the battery was completely discharged and the device does not turn on after charging, or the motor runs but no water flows, an air lock may have formed in the system (the water pump pressure has dropped). Make sure the water tank is filled and inserted tightly. While pressing the device's power button, gently draw air through the tip a few times (as if drinking through a straw). This helps the pump create the necessary vacuum, remove the air lock and restart the water pulsation. If the device still does not work after this procedure, contact our customer service center using the CONTACT details provided.
