Skip to content
Tiktok
  • Call 513.777.7060
  • Text 513.808.4707
  • PAYMENT CALCULATOR
  • PATIENT LOGIN
  • Español
complimentary exam
complimentary exam
  • Our Practice
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Our Doctors
    • Meet the Team
    • Technology
    • Board Certifications
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Office Tour
  • Treatment
    • Braces
      • Types of Braces
      • Braces For Kids
      • Braces For Teens
      • Braces For Adults
      • Braces FAQ
      • Payment Calculator
    • Clear Aligners
      • What Are Clear Aligners?
      • Clear Aligners For Kids
      • Clear Aligners For Teens
      • Clear Aligners For Adults
      • Clear Aligners FAQ
    • Orthodontics
      • Types Of Appliances
      • Appliance Instructions
      • Early Orthodontic Treatment
      • Common Orthodontic Issues
      • Life With Braces
      • Brushing & Flossing
      • Retainers
      • Emergency Care
      • Kidz Club
      • Orthodontics FAQ
    • Other Treatments
      • TMJ / TMD
      • Growth Modifications
      • Surgical Orthodontics
      • Interproximal Reduction
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • Office Policies
    • Financial Information
    • Blog
    • Annual Scholarship Program
    • Patient Forms
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Complimentary exam
  • Our Practice
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Our Doctors
    • Meet the Team
    • Technology
    • Board Certifications
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Office Tour
  • Treatment
    • Braces
      • Types of Braces
      • Braces For Kids
      • Braces For Teens
      • Braces For Adults
      • Braces FAQ
      • Payment Calculator
    • Clear Aligners
      • What Are Clear Aligners?
      • Clear Aligners For Kids
      • Clear Aligners For Teens
      • Clear Aligners For Adults
      • Clear Aligners FAQ
    • Orthodontics
      • Types Of Appliances
      • Appliance Instructions
      • Early Orthodontic Treatment
      • Common Orthodontic Issues
      • Life With Braces
      • Brushing & Flossing
      • Retainers
      • Emergency Care
      • Kidz Club
      • Orthodontics FAQ
    • Other Treatments
      • TMJ / TMD
      • Growth Modifications
      • Surgical Orthodontics
      • Interproximal Reduction
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • Office Policies
    • Financial Information
    • Annual Scholarship Program
    • Patient Forms
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Call 513.777.7060
  • Text 513.808.4707
  • Payment Calculator
  • Blog
  • Patient Login
  • Español
Complimentary exam
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Youtube
  • Tiktok
  • Health

What is a water pick and do I need one?

Home » What is a water pick and do I need one?
  • Cassinelli, Shanker & Associates Orthodontics
  • January 29, 2020

Water picks, sometimes called “oral irrigators,” make an excellent addition to your regular home care regimen of brushing and flossing. Especially helpful to those who suffer from periodontal disease and those patients of ours undergoing orthodontic treatment with full-bracketed braces, water picks use powerful tiny bursts of water to dislodge food scraps, bacteria, and other debris nestled in the crevices of your mouth. Children undergoing orthodontic treatment may find using a water pick is beneficial if their toothbrush bristles tend to get caught on their wires or brackets.

When you use a water pick, you’re not only dislodging any particles or debris and bacteria you might have missed when brushing, you are also gently massaging the gums, which helps promote blood flow in the gums and keeps them healthy. While water picks are an excellent addition to your daily fight against gingivitis and other periodontal diseases, they are incapable of fully removing plaque, which is why Drs. Cassinelli and Shanker and our team at Cassinelli and Shanker want to remind you to keep brushing and flossing every day.

If you have sensitive teeth or gums and find it uncomfortable to floss daily, water picks are a good alternative to reduce discomfort while effectively cleaning between teeth. Diabetics sometimes prefer water picks to flossing because they don’t cause bleeding of the gums, which can be a problem with floss. If you have a permanent bridge, crowns, or other dental restoration, you may find that a water pick helps you keep the area around the restorations clean.

So how do you choose the right water pick?

Water picks are available for home or portable use. The home versions tend to be larger and use standard electrical outlets, while portable models use batteries. Aside from the size difference, they work in the same manner, both using pulsating water streams. A more crucial difference between water picks is the ability to adjust the pressure. Most home models will let you choose from several pressure settings, depending on how sensitive your teeth and gums are. Most portable models have only one pressure setting. If you want to use mouthwash or a dental rinse in your water pick, check the label first; some models suggest using water only.

Please give us a call at our West Chester or Cincinnati, OH office if you have any questions about water picks, or ask Drs. Cassinelli and Shanker during your next visit!

Patient testimonials

Watch the Success Stories

We’re not just putting on braces or clear aligners. We’re adding value to people’s lives. Check out some of these life-changing stories below.

What Brought You
To Our Office?

What Was It Like Coming
For Your First Visit?

How Has Your New Smile
Changed You?

What Would You Tell
Others About Our Office?

patient REviews

Our 5-Star Patient Experience

We recognize that all our patients are unique and deserve to receive orthodontic care that reflects their individual needs. We are committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding orthodontic experience every time you visit.

Grace C.
Everyone in the office has been professional and Bev at the front desk is exceptional. I sat with my son during treatment thinking about how she is above and beyond wonderful. I am grateful for her attention to detail, consideration of my circumstances, communication across the team of personnel to make sure I had what I wanted and all of it infused with kindness.
Response from the owner:Your comments are so sweet. We are so glad that you've had a wonderful experience. We strive to provide excellent service and care to each of our patients!
Shanti H.
Just started the orthodontic procedure. The experience is excellent and the cost is reasonable
Response from the owner:Thank you. We are happy to be able to help you get the smile you want 😀
Sarah H.
This orthodontic team has been absolutely wonderful! Highly recommend for your orthodontic needs!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Sarah! We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful experience with our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Triplets2010
All 3 of my children have gone here for a couple of years and they are amazing! Great customer service, top notch orthodontic care!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star review! We are so happy to hear you had a great experience with our staff and doctors. We love creating beautiful smiles!
Ashley P.
Very clean office. The staff was prepared for our visit, like having a new patient name board and plenty to do in the waiting room for littles. Staff was friendly and facility was very neat. We enjoyed our visit and didn't feel pressured to buy any treatment options.
Response from the owner:So glad you enjoyed your visit, and thank you for the wonderful review.
Jamie I.
Our daughter and son were patients several years ago. And now another daughter is a new patient with the office. We have had a great experience. Friendly and professional staff. Great communicators. Reasonably priced! Clean and warm environment. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your review. It is our pleasure to provide excellent care for your family. We are so glad you chose our office again.
Valerie A.
My experience for my consultation was an experience that I’ve never had before. From the moment I arrived for my visit, until I was done, the staff was great and made me feel very comfortable. Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience!
Response from the owner:So happy to hear this. Thanks for the great review.
David B.
Friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. Office was immaculate. Great experience!
Response from the owner:Thanks. Appreciate the compliments!
Tasha F.
I wish I could give more than five stars! I truly enjoyed being a patient at Cassinelli, Shanker & Associates. Being able to go through this process with both of my sons made it even more special. The staff knew us by name and made us feel welcome at every appointment. I couldn’t recommend a better place to get braces 😁
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the great review! It has been our pleasure treating your family. We have the best doctors and staff and love what we do!
Slice S.
Adult Invisalign, a 16 month process, I’m so glad I did it! Organized, we’ll communicated process and my providers were all amazing!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star review! We love what we do. It has been our pleasure having you as our patient!
Christin M.
They are such a phenomenal practice with caring and attentive staff! The orthodontists are knowledgeable and kind! We have had such a positive experience working with them!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star review! We have 4 of the best orthodontists and an amazing team. We are so happy to hear you agree!
Elisa C.
My experience I had with this office was excellent. They went over and beyond to make sure my child was comfortable was OK nothing was hurting her. I will always recommend you take your child to this dentist office for any dental work done on your children.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and 5-star review! We pride ourselves in offering the highest quality in patient care and customer satisfaction. It has been our please treating your daughter.
melissa D.
Super nice staff! I was in and out of there with all my questions answered. I get my Invisalign put in in two weeks and I am very excited.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much! We are so happy to join you on your journey to a new beautiful smile!
Crystal D.
We have been extremely happy with the level of care our daughter has received. Everyone in the office is friendly and knowledgeable. Our time in the office was quick and efficient. They estimated the length of her treatment plan to be 18 months and she finished a full six months early. We highly recommend Cassinelli and Shanker to anyone entering the orthodontics phase.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback and excellent review! We love hearing you had a great experience. Your daughter was a star patient and it has been our pleasure treating her.
Kiersten G.
Friendly staff, easy experience. Went in for my 8 year old who is not losing baby teeth and has no room for any that can come in. Dr. set out a clear plan for the near future and things that may be farther out.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review! We value patient relationships and are confident we have the best orthodontists in the city!
opt-cta-final
CONTACT US

Ready To Get Started?

Contact either our West Chester or our Cincinnati orthodontic office to schedule your complimentary new patient exam and learn about the wide variety of treatment options we offer. We look forward to meeting you and your family and helping you get the great smile you’ve always wanted.

complimentary exam
complimentary exam

Our Locations

Contact Us

Call

513.777.7060

Text

513.808.4707

West Chester Township

7242 Tylers Corners Dr. West Chester Township, OH 45069

Blue Ash

4881 Cooper Rd. Blue Ash, OH 45242

West Chester Township

Blue Ash

complimentary exam
complimentary exam

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Our Practice
  • Treatment
  • Patient Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Our Practice
  • Treatment
  • Patient Resources
  • Contact Us

Contact Us

  • West Chester Township
  • Blue Ash
  • Call 513.777.7060
  • Text 513.808.4707

Follow Us

Tiktok
Lightforce

© Copyright 2025 Cassinelli, Shanker & Associates Orthodontics | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Notice of Privacy Practices

Marketing & Web Design by HIP Creative