What is the best Waterpik to remove tonsil stones? That’s the key question this article answers. In this guide, I share 5 water pick models – both budget and premium – that are good for dislodging tonsil stones.

Just a few years ago, I battled tonsil stones for what felt like forever after a nasty bout of strep throat. Considering the strep throat had been so bad that I needed IV antibiotics, it terrified me when I saw white spots in my throat again. However, I didn’t feel sick this time. Before the stones showed up (not the cool type with Mick Jagger), the strep turned into a peritonsillar abscess, which is a lot worse than tonsil stones.

Once I confirmed that the new white spots were indeed tonsil stones, I began dislodging them with a Q-tip. This process was no fun, and the first few times I did it, the stones were big. After reading that it’s a terrible idea to smell a tonsil stone, I did it anyway. If you’re anything like me, you probably couldn’t resist the stone smell challenge either.

For me, it was a one-time deal. Once I got a whiff of what smelled like condensed bile, I didn’t need to revisit that scent. Especially, since it’s enough to give someone nightmares.

I’m happy to say that I haven’t seen a tonsil stone for over a year (knock on wood), and dislodging them is a critical step to getting rid of them for good.

Let’s start below with a chart of our top 5 water flosser picks for tonsil stone removal before moving on to the reviews and some special tips I have for you.

The Best Waterpik for Tonsil Stones

How to Choose a Waterpik to Remove Tonsil Stones

There are two key factors that we looked for when choosing the models in our top 5. Those factors are capacity and pressure adjustments.

Why is capacity important?

If you ever picked tonsil stones out of the back of your throat, then you know how tedious the process is. It’s important to be careful and move slowly to avoid gagging yourself. When I use a Q-tip, I inevitably gag myself at some point no matter how careful I am.

The reason that capacity is important is to avoid having to refill the flosser several times while you work. The Waterpik Classic, Aquarius, and H2ofloss models provide the longest cleaning times per tank. This way, you focus on targeting the stones rather than how much water is left in the tank.

Why is pressure important?

Finding the perfect pressure setting is the key to avoiding gagging, and it gives you the chance of removing the stones instead of swallowing them. Once you dislodge the stones with a water pick, grabbing them with a Q-tip becomes a whole lot easier.

However, there’s no guarantee you won’t swallow the stones when using a flosser since you’re essentially power washing them out of the crevices in your tonsils. It’s not harmful to swallow them, but you may prefer removing them rather than swallowing them. I know I do.

In each section below, we go over why we chose these water flossers for removing tonsil stones and how to use them.

1. Waterpik Classic Professional

Of all the current Waterpik models, the Classic Professional provides you with the largest tank and longest cleaning time. Another advantage is the open-top design that makes it easier to fill. Since tonsil stone removal does require patience and time, the convenience of an open-top for refills is nice to have onboard.

The second feature we like for tonsil stone removal is the super-precise Waterpik Pik Pocket Tip that’s made for delivering antimicrobial solutions below the gumline. This is the perfect tip for dislodging tonsil stones, and adding a bit of mouthwash to the mix or another antimicrobial is a wise idea if you can avoid swallowing the solution.

Finally, we like the way this model controls water pressure and flow. There’s a button that stops the water flow when it’s held down, and this is good for taking breaks between sprays. Secondly, the pressure control is right on the handle, and it gets stronger as you move the button upward. This design feature makes it easy to find the right pressure that won’t cause gagging and adjust the pressure while you work.

2. Waterpik Aquarius

The Aquarius is basically a modern version of the Classic model. The advantage here is you get a more compact unit that delivers about the same amount of cleaning time per tank at 90 seconds.

Additionally, the Aquarius comes with Waterpik’s full range of tips, which gives you more options to experiment with to see which tip(s) works best for stone removal.

For tonsil stone removal, the Pik Pocket, Orthodontic, and Classic tips are all good choices.

Included Tips

• 3 Classic Jet Tips (JT-100E) – general use
• Plaque Seeker Tip (PS-100E) – implants, crowns, and other dental work
• Orthodontic Tip (OD-100E) – braces
• Pik Pocket Tip (PP-100E) – treating periodontal pockets
• Toothbrush Tip (TB-100E) – manually brush & floss

In addition to the tips, the Aquarius model features an on/off switch on the main handle and dial with 10 pressure settings. Compared to the pressure switch on the handle of the Classic model, you may prefer the Aquarius system. Also, the Aquarius has more total pressure settings at 10 than the Classic with 6.

More pressure settings equal more options to find the perfect pressure. Since the key to removing tonsil stones is to dislodge the stones without gagging, more pressure settings are important to find that sweet spot.

3. CKSOHOT Cordless Water Flosser

If you don’t mind refilling the reservoir during your tonsil stone removal sessions and prefer the convenience of a cordless flosser, this is a great budget model. At the time of this writing, this cordless model by CKSOHOT costs about half as much as a comparable Waterpik model.

So why choose this model? The feature that makes this one of the best water flossers for tonsil stones is a little something called DIY mode. This is a new feature that gives the user full control over water pressure. Instead of relying on a set number of pressure settings, the DIY mode allows you to find the exact pressure you prefer.

One drawback is the kit includes 4 standard water jet tips, and that means no chance of using specialty Waterpik brand tips. Additional advantages of choosing the CKSOHOT model are portability, less space required to store it, USB power, and an easy-fill reservoir. All in all, if you’re comfortable with choosing a budget model, this one is certainly worth consideration for its DIY mode.

4. Akunbem Professional Cordless Water Flosser

This cordless model by Akunbem is one of the quietest water flosser models on the market, and it also features a DIY mode. Akunbem and CKSOHOT flossers are the budget models with a DIY mode that we trust the most.

In reality, these two companies are probably sourcing this model from the same place before putting their own brand names on it. Both models are essentially the same all the way down to the included attachments.

One advantage of choosing the Akunbem model is that there’s more positive feedback, though, both models have great feedback. Whichever model you choose, you get the same thing, and the final choice comes down to your preference.

5. H2ofloss Whisper Water Flosser

The final model in our Top 5 could easily be #1 since it provides up to a whopping 150 seconds of cleaning time per fill. That’s the longest we’ve seen, and it beats the longest cleaning time of 90 seconds offered by Waterpik.

So why didn’t we rank it #1? Well, Waterpik is the most reliable brand, and the branded Waterpik attachments make its models the best for tonsil stones.

However, H2ofloss does manufacture its own line of specialty tips, and the Whisper model includes a total of 12 tips for a bargain price. As far as functionality, we believe the Whisper model is H2ofloss’ version of Waterpik’s Classic model.

You’ll notice that the Whisper model also features a pressure control switch on the handle. Several reasons to choose the Whisper over the Waterpik Classic are the lower price, covered reservoir, more tips included, and a large built-in storage compartment for the tips.

Lastly, H2ofloss offers one of the best warranties by a budget brand with its 24-month warranty.

Natural Tonsil Stone Remedies

The key to getting rid of tonsil stones is staying ahead of them and keeping the back of your throat clean. In my case, I have lots of crevices in my tonsils. After my bout of strep throat, it left my tonsils slightly inflamed, which deepened the grooves for food to hide out and eventually turn into tonsil stones.

Nowadays, the grooves are shallower and back to normal. I still check the back of my throat from time to time with my phone flashlight for stones.

Below, you’ll find a list of products that worked for me along with some helpful tips.

#1 Bee Propolis

Bee propolis was a lifesaver for me. After several rounds of antibiotic treatment, my strep throat continued to linger. Once I began taking bee propolis, it finally went away.

I don’t know for sure if it was a coincidence, but whenever I feel a scratch in my throat, I take bee propolis, and it almost always gets rid of it.

#2 Bee Propolis Toothpaste

Bee propolis toothpaste is another good choice. Brushing your teeth in the morning and especially before bed is important when you have active tonsil stones.

Also, the great thing about a water flosser is that it’s made to dislodge food debris from your teeth. The combination of bee propolis toothpaste and a water flosser from this guide is an effective one for preventing food debris in your teeth from reaching your tonsils.

#3 Saline Salt

I always gargle with warm salt water after dislodging and removing tonsil stones. In my experience, removing stones can lead to minor bleeding.

Gargling with salt water cleans the area and reduces the chance of redeveloping tonsil stones in the same spot. I actually prefer using neti pot salt because it dissolves easily, and it’s highly purified.

#4 Chewable Probiotics for Oral Health

The final thing that helps is chewable probiotics for oral health. These are great to dissolve in your mouth after brushing and cleaning the back of your throat.

I like to let one dissolve in my mouth before bed after brushing my teeth. This way, the bacteria have a better chance of populating my mouth and throat without interruption.

That’s about it. This is what worked for me, and I had a persistent case of tonsil stones following a strep throat infection.

Bottom Line

Now that you’ve seen the best Waterpik for tonsil stones and checked out my tips for removing tonsil stones naturally, you have more than enough ideas to get rid of them. Unfortunately, for people like us, we have to take extra care to keep the crevices in our tonsils clean to avoid tonsil stones.

If one thing is for sure, a water flosser for removing tonsil stones is a lot more convenient than reaching back with a Q-tip or toothpick. Once you get ahead of the stones and get most of them removed, use the natural products above to prevent them from returning and keep your tonsils clean. Lastly, it’s important to avoid eating sugary snacks and drinking sugary beverages until they’re gone.

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