I don't understand all the negative reviews of leakage, strength being temperamental, and noise level. After using machine for 3 months, I haven't experienced any of these negativities that others have written about. I use my waterpik 2 times daily every day and haven't experienced anything close to what others have complained of.

IMHO, the Waterpik was the best investment in getting my oral health back on track in terms of really helping out my gum health. Since starting to use it 2x daily every day I have seen a real difference in the color of my gums turning from red and inflamed to more of a pink and healthy color, the bleeding has totally stopped, and gum sensitivity has steadily been decreasing. Even when I use regular string floss, I have noticed that there is less of a chance of bleeding, whereas before I would without a doubt always have bleeding that happened when flossing.

After using this for the past 3 months, I have become almost addicted to the dentist-like clean feeling after each waterpik/brush session. After using both the waterpik and an electric toothbrush, I can walk away feeling almost as though I have just had a dental cleaning; it feels that much more clean than just brushing alone!

It took me only a few times to start working up as to which power setting I wanted to use. After about 3 weeks I found myself using 4th power setting on a regular basis with no discomfort. I am starting to use 5th power setting on a more regular basis now, but not steadily. Hope to get to 5th power setting regularly in another week or 2.

Machine is quieter than an older model I owned about 7 or 8 years ago, so they have made an improvement on quietness. I live in an older apartment complex where walls are thin and I haven't had any complaints from neighbors about me using the machine, so I wouldn't be too concerned about it being too loud for a small apartment bathroom such as mine that butts up next to your neighbors.

Will give update after using it several more months to let you know if real problems start to appear.

Overall, very happy with the machine and it's build quality overall! Would recommend to anyone looking to improve their oral health!

I love this waterpik. It has a lot of power if you slide the lever on the handle all-the-way up.

However, you can even clean your ears with it if you slide the power on the handle all-the-way to the bottom and direct the water flow on the sides of the ear canal. (I am NOT a doctor, this is NOT a suggested thing to do with your ears, and it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY if you try it). However, if you find that you have wax that just won't come out - and it is blocking your entire ear canal so that you can't hear? This can break up that wax and get it out. There are actual systems to do the exact same thing using this exact same unit, out there, and even doctors suggest one use one of these for this purpose. If your ears are already clear, you don't need to use this - of course.

Other things that you can use this for... cleaning out wounds. If you just fell and have a dirt-filled scrape? Again, turn the setting to 'lowest' and start pressure-spraying out the wound. It will remove every last trace of dirt and won't get infected. Afterwards, dry the wound and apply an antibiotic unguent. Again... I AM NOT A DOCTOR, THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. Consult a doctor before following these instructions. And, if you do try it - you do it at your own peril. However, I have done this with cuts and abrastions I have gotten while at the filthy Salt River (Hundreds of wild Horses poop in the river all the time). Even cuts which have begun to fester... I have used this waterpik to remove the still-remaining dirt with great success.

As for use on your gums. It is the ONLY thing to use once you get caps. You MUST use a floss waterpik once you get caps in-order that you remove all debris from underneath and in-between your caps.

These tend to last about 7 - 8 years if you use them twice-per-day. Generally the plastic tube kinks, creating cracks... or the pump just wears out. The plastic pump, pumping for minutes at a time for years does it.

Sometimes one of the piks will break off inside the hole. Bend a paperclip with a pair of needle-nosed pliers into a sharp turn that is about 1/8 in long and at about a 45 degree angle so that it can still fit into the tiny hole. You might have to bend it flatter until it fits through the hole. Then, with the rest of the paperclip bent at a 90 degree angle, hold the lever which normally allows you to remove the tip and pull. It will pop out and you can, then, keep using your Waterpik the way you always have in the past.

As long as WaterPik keeps manufacturing this WaterPik. it will keep buying it (realize that this has been around so long, by now, that it takes a different tip than the newer WaterPiks use. So, make sure when you are purchasing tips for it that they say, specifically, that they are for the WP-72 WaterPik, not the newer ones.

I had one 42 years ago. My dentist suggested I get another one- glad I did. I don't remember much detail about my first one- seems I remember it being a bit easier to fill/empty, etc. but I wouldn't buy anything but a waterpik brand.

I had a very old waterpik (late 90's) before but it went with a relative when they moved out. This unit uses the same old design. However it has a user replaceable handle and tubing design that is used in their new models as well has more variable power settings.

It came with two normal pik heads and the gum pik head, which was exactly what I wanted anyway. It also came with a small and a large reservoir. I'm told the small one is for running mild cleaning agents (hydrogen peroxide) though the machine at intervals.

When I got the machine the second lowest setting was all I could take, it has so much power you could hurt yourself if not careful. But they claim you'll work your way up, after about 2-3 months I'm now on the second highest setting! So they are right about your gums toughening up (I guess just like dental flossing).

I starting this again because I really hate flossing (to be affective I had to use woven floss) which constantly binds in my teeth and rips. So I never did it regularly, I decided that since this was a known alternative that I'd make a good purchase and start doing water flossing. I can tell you that I rarely ever skip (too tired) on using my waterpik before brushing every night. That's saying something, I have not found it to be a burden or a hassle as I did with flossing and I've kept it up now for awhile without fail. I think that speaks volumes if you're on the fence about keeping your flossing resolution. If you can develop the correct cleaning technique and work up on the power settings...you'll stick with it.

I don't normally go the dentist (too expensive to hear - "you're fine", I can do that for free at home) so I don't have any before and after stories about being berated about dental hygiene. But I do firmly believe the unit works, does a good job, and assuming you take it to the limit and keep the pik head against your gum line, you're getting into all the places you need to be.

I also still have my wisdom teeth and mainly was concerned about cleaning behind them (I was warned years ago about potentially forming an abscess behind poorly cleaned wisdom teeth). The Pik head fits nicely into the back regions of my wisdom teeth and allows me to clean downwards and sideways on them. I believe it's at least keeping them from having problems.

Long story short...buy this Pik model. It has better reviews, old (known) body design, strong pump, and very good price! I feel this is one of the few devices for daily life that I've purchased that was worth the price. It's a quality product and de-hassles life.

Do yourself a favor and add it to your cart now!

I got this after my dentist recommended it for gaps in my teeth that Floss wasn't catching. I was a little iffy at first, but the spray is powerful. It really does feel like its removing the plaque.

It has 5 settings and I can only go up to two. My tooth ache has stopped too since I'm able to spray this up into the gap between my gums.

The only downside is it's super loud. Also consider if you need a size this big too. I got it for my entire mouth, but if your just using it for a certain spot get one with a smaller tank to save room.