How to Floss with Braces Like a Pro

Having braces can be an exciting time as you take the first step towards a beautiful, healthy smile. However, maintaining good oral hygiene can be challenging when you have brackets and wires in your mouth. One of the most important aspects of oral care during orthodontic treatment is flossing. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), brushing alone only cleans about 60% of your teeth, leaving the remaining 40% vulnerable to decay and gum disease. But flossing with braces can be tricky. In this article, we will provide you with tips and techniques for effective flossing with braces, so you can keep your teeth and gums healthy during your orthodontic treatment.

Table of Contents

• Why is Flossing Important with Braces?
• 6 Different Flossing Tools for Braces People
• How to Floss with a Permanent Retainer
• Conclusion

Why is Flossing Important with Braces?

Flossing is essential during orthodontic treatment because braces create extra space for food particles and bacteria to accumulate. The brackets and wires of braces can trap food and plaque, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If left unaddressed, this buildup can lead to unsightly white spots on teeth and even permanent damage.

Additionally, braces can make it harder to remove food particles and plaque with brushing alone, making flossing even more important. Also, note the common question of flossing first or brushing first.

By flossing regularly, you can promote good oral health and prevent dental problems by removing food particles and plaque from hard-to-reach areas. Neglecting to floss can lead to cavities or gum disease, which can ruin and prolong your braces treatment. The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

6 Different Flossing Tools for Braces People

Now that you know why flossing with braces is important, neglecting to floss can lead to food buildup, plaque buildup, and gum disease. So let's talk about 6 key flossing tools that will make flossing easy, fast, and effective. A staple flossing tool, they make flossing with braces easy, fast, and effective. These tools include floss threaders, interdental brushes, Sodentist water flossers, orthodontic and pre-threaded floss, and floss picks.

1. Dental Floss

If you used to floss at least once a day before getting your braces, we'd love to hear from you! However, now that you have braces, you may find yourself flossing a few more times a day, and we recommend waxed floss if you haven't already because it is less likely to get caught or shredded by the brackets and wires of the braces. Traditional floss can get caught in your braces, causing gum frustration, discomfort, and even injury. Waxed dental floss is coated with a thin layer of wax, which is more comfortable to use and less likely to get caught by the braces. It is important to note that proper flossing techniques must be used when using waxed floss on braces. Gently guide the floss between teeth and around brackets and wires, making sure to clean the sides of each tooth and the gum line.

Proper flossing with braces can be challenging, but it is crucial for maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

Follow these step-by-step instructions for effective flossing with braces:

1. Cut a piece of waxed dental floss about 18 inches long. Waxed floss is recommended for those with braces because it is less likely to get caught or shred on the brackets and wires.
2. Use a floss threader or specialized orthodontic floss that comes with a built-in threader to guide the floss between the wires and teeth. If you're using a floss threader, insert one end of the floss through the loop of the threader and pull the other end through. Then thread the floss between the wire and the tooth.
3. Once the floss is threaded, wrap each end of the floss around your index fingers, leaving about 2–3 inches of floss between your fingers.
4. Gently guide the floss between your teeth, making sure to clean both sides of each tooth and the gum line. Use firm but comfortable pressure and avoid snapping the floss, which can cause injury to the gums.
5. When flossing around braces, use a "C" shape, flossing at the gum line at the root of the tooth and flossing on the sides of each tooth on each side.
6. After cleaning between the teeth, pull out the floss and repeat the process for the next tooth.
7. Continue flossing until you have cleaned between all of your teeth and around all of your braces. It is essential to floss at least once a day to maintain good oral hygiene.

Remember to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash in addition to flossing to prevent plaque buildup and maintain good oral health.

2. Floss Threaders

Flossing with braces can be difficult, but using a floss threader can make the process much easier. A floss threader is a small, flexible plastic tool that can guide dental floss between the wires and teeth. The tool features a large loop at the end of the handle, which you can thread the floss through and tie if desired.

To use a floss threader, first, insert the handle end of the threader into the space between the floss and the tooth. Then, pull the floss threader through this space until it goes all the way through and your floss is now between the wire and your tooth. Once the floss is in place, floss your gum line and sides as usual, using a "C" shape to clean both sides of each tooth. Remember to be gentle and use firm but comfortable pressure when flossing to avoid damaging your braces or injuring your gums.

After cleaning between the teeth, pull out the floss and repeat the process for the remaining teeth until it is complete. Using a floss threader with waxed floss can help remove food particles and plaque effectively and prevent cavities and gum disease. It is recommended to floss at least once a day to maintain good oral hygiene and healthy teeth and gums.

3. Interdental Brushes

Interdental brushes can also be a helpful tool for cleaning between your teeth and braces. They have small, conical-shaped bristles that can reach into the tight spaces between your teeth and braces to effectively remove plaque and food debris the tight spaces between your teeth and braces to remove plaque and food debris effectively. To use an interdental brush, insert the brush gently between your teeth and braces and move it back and forth a few times. Be sure to clean both sides of each tooth and use a new brush when the bristles become worn or frayed. Interdental brushes are available in different sizes, so choose one that fits comfortably between your teeth and braces. Using interdental brushes in addition to flossing can help you maintain good oral hygiene and keep your teeth and braces clean and healthy.

4. Sodentist Water Flosser

A completely different and very thorough way to clean between teeth and around braces is to use a dental flosser. There's a reason orthodontists and dentists spray water directly on teeth to clean teeth and braces. As an extra step to brushing and flossing every day, a water flosser for braces wearers is one of the best flossing methods for a deep oral clean.

A flosser like the Sodentist delivers a strong, steady stream of water to remove sugar, food debris, and plaque that can build up between teeth, along the gum line, and around brackets and archwires.

Cleaning your braces and teeth with Sodentist is easy and refreshing.

1. Fill the water tank with warm water, then insert the flosser tip into the water flosser handle.
2. Lean over the sink and gently close the flosser with your mouth.
3. Set your flosser to low pressure to start. Once you start, you can increase the pressure.
4. Please turn it on and spray it directly on the gum line, starting from the back teeth and moving to the front teeth. Spray water along the outer and inner gum lines, spray around the entire base of each tooth, and spray directly on the braces.
5. Move to the next tooth and repeat until you have flossed your entire mouth.

You'll find that many Sodentist water flosser kits come with special orthodontic tips that are shaped for cleaning braces, but regular tips will work just as well.

5. Orthodontic Floss

Flossing with braces can be made even easier with the use of orthodontic flossers. These small plastic tools have two narrow arms between which the floss is tightly strung, along with a handle for easy maneuvering. With the orthodontic flosser, you can easily floss behind the wires without needing to wrap the floss around your fingers. To use the orthodontic flosser, hold the plastic handle and place the floss where you want to clean between teeth and along the gum line. Slide the floss between the teeth and use a "c" motion to reach the gum line at the bottom of each tooth. It is important to note that most orthodontic flossers are designed for single use, but reusable orthodontic flosser handles are available for those looking for a greener option. These handles allow you to thread the floss yourself before each flossing session. Orthodontic flossers are also convenient for flossing on the go, so keep some in your purse, car, or backpack for quick and easy flossing when you're away from home. With the help of an orthodontic flosser, flossing with braces can be a breeze.

6. Dental floss sticks

Dental floss sticks, also known as floss picks, are another popular tool for flossing with braces. They have a small piece of dental floss stretched taut between two prongs, with a handle for easy gripping. Dental floss sticks can be particularly helpful for reaching the back teeth, which can be difficult to access with regular floss. They can also be easier for people with trouble maneuvering traditional floss.

To use a dental floss stick, hold the handle and guide the floss between your teeth. Use a gentle back-and-forth motion to remove any food particles or plaque. Be sure to floss both sides of each tooth, including the gum line. After flossing, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. It's important to note that dental floss sticks should be used with caution, as the prongs can sometimes damage braces or get caught on the wires.

How to Floss With a Permanent Retainer

After removing your braces, your doctor will prescribe a retainer to help you maintain your new smile. Retainers are a typical post-operative care appliance and are removable or permanent. But flossing with a permanent retainer can be tricky. A permanent retainer is a wire that is glued to the back of the tooth and cannot be removed without professional help.

If you have permanent retainers, proper flossing technique is essential to keeping your teeth clean and healthy.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Use the floss threader and floss first. Slide the threader under the wire, close to the gum line, and lift it up and over the wire until it is free of the wire.
• Gently move the floss along the gum line.
• If your retainer is only attached to two teeth, move the floss from one tooth to the other, side to side.
• If there is sticking on each tooth, repeat the process of inserting the floss threader to position and properly run the floss around each tooth.
• If the location of the permanent retainer makes it difficult for the floss threader to pass under the wire, attach the entire floss threader with floss from the front of the tooth to the lingual side.
• Flossing with a permanent retainer will become second nature with these steps, just like flossing with braces. Remember that regular flossing helps keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright.

Conclusion

In summary, flossing with braces requires additional effort and technique, but it is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing dental problems. Remember to use a floss threader or special orthodontic floss, be gentle, and take your time to thoroughly clean between all teeth and around the wires and brackets. With some practice and patience, you can develop a flossing routine that works for you and helps keep your teeth and gums healthy during orthodontic treatment.