Portable air pump water flosser: Proper flossing can lead to a better experience at the dentist's office and lower dental care expenses overall, and I recently tried a revolutionary water flosser that uses unique technology to deliver a complete, comfortable clean in a tiny package. The size and ease of use means you are more likely to use it regularly, too.

The Oclean A10 AirPump Water Flosser uses a combination of water and pressurized air to floss your teeth, removing up to 99% of plaque. The blasts consist of up to 98% air and the A10 is about 20% of the size of other flossers, small enough to easily fit in a pocket or purse and ideal for traveling. I took an A10 with me on a recent trip to California. The small size proved to be perfect for traveling, and getting my teeth squeaky-clean no matter what delectable vacation meal I ate was reassuring, too.

Given the advanced technology I expected the A10 to cost a lot more than other flossers, but gladly this is not the case. It lists for $69.99 but the code AIRFLOSS on oclean.com saves $20, making it $49.99, and they throw in a free $36.99 Endurance Sonic electric toothbrush as part of the deal too. It makes for an excellent $50 dental care combo.

Q. My very old bedroom plasma TV is finally kaput. Do you have any recommendations for a 55-inch or larger smart TV that won't break the bank?

—D.J., Oakland, California

A. I have been receiving quite a few questions about TV replacement lately! Fortunately, as I said weeks ago the time has never been better to get a new TV. TCL is a regular go-to for many of my TV recommendations, especially for those asking about affordable options. Despite the consumer-friendly pricing I have never considered TCL to be a budget brand, but a premium product that happens to be advantageously priced. TCL televisions are critically acclaimed in the enthusiast press, and the technology and features rank with the best on the market. They also feature Google TV, which in its latest iteration is the best smart TV operating system. But ultimately people are looking for great picture quality, and this is where TCL televisions shine. I own one myself and have purchased several as gifts for friends and family, and everyone raves about their television's picture. It all makes it very easy for me to continue recommending them.

TCL Q6 TVs use QLED panels to deliver a gorgeous picture with accurate, vivid color and clean detail that makes you feel like you can walk into the scene. The new 2025 QM6K televisions improve upon the Q6 with Mini LED backlighting, a high-end feature that delivers darker blacks, better contrast and a superior picture overall. The 65-inch Q6 is currently $389.99 from $799.99, and the 55-inch is a jaw-droppingly low $279.99. Moving up to the QM6K the 55-inch is $499.99 from $799.99, and the 65-inch is $649.99 from $999.99. For those who want to go extremely large, the 98-inch TCL Q6 is currently $1,599.99 from $3,999.99. (This was the biggest shocker of all, and absolutely unthinkable just a year or so ago. It had me get out my tape measure and start measuring walls to find the best place to put a 98-inch television. Haven't pulled the trigger just yet.) I think a 65-inch Q6 would be a fine purchase for under $400, but for $650 the 65-inch QM6K is a worthy upgrade and warrants spending a bit more. I will have more to say about higher-end TCL TVs in a future column. tcl.com

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