Flossing with braces might feel tricky, but it's crucial for keeping your teeth and gums healthy during orthodontic treatment.
Regular dental flossing helps prevent plaque, cavities, and gum disease.
In this guide, we’ll share practical tips and techniques to make flossing with braces easier and more effective for maintaining your oral hygiene.
To floss with braces, use a floss threader or orthodontic floss. Gently slide it under the wire and between your teeth. Take your time and be careful not to damage the braces.
When you have braces, food particles and plaque can accumulate around the brackets and wires, making it more difficult to clean your teeth.
Flossing helps to remove debris between your teeth that brushing alone may miss.
If you don’t floss regularly, plaque can build up and turn into tartar, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and staining around the braces.
In addition to brushing your teeth, flossing with braces is crucial to maintain a healthy smile throughout your treatment.
Flossing with braces requires the right tools to make the process easier and more effective. There are several options available to help you navigate around the wires and brackets.
Let’s take a look at the best tools for flossing with braces.
Floss Threaders
Floss threaders are a popular tool for people with braces. A floss threader works like a needle, allowing you to thread the floss behind the wires of your braces to clean between your teeth.
This tool makes it possible to floss around each bracket effectively.
How to use it
Insert the floss into the threader, pass it behind the wire, and then gently slide it between your teeth to remove food particles and plaque. Repeat this process for each tooth.
Orthodontic Floss
Orthodontic floss is specifically designed for people with braces.
This floss is thicker than regular floss and has a slightly waxy coating, making it easier to slide between your teeth and under the wire.
Some orthodontic floss comes with a built-in threader, making it even more convenient to use.
How to use it
Simply cut a piece of orthodontic floss, thread it between the teeth and wire, and use it to clean the spaces between your teeth. Be sure to floss both sides of the teeth thoroughly.
Floss Picks for Braces
Floss picks with orthodontic tips are another option that can make flossing with braces easier.
These picks are typically smaller and more rigid than regular floss picks, allowing you to clean between your teeth while avoiding damage to the wires.
How to use it
Use the orthodontic floss pick to gently slide between the teeth and under the wire. The angled tip can help you reach the back teeth without straining your hands.
Interdental Brushes
Interdental brushes are small, bristled brushes that can be used to clean between your teeth and around your braces.
These brushes are especially useful for cleaning larger gaps and areas around the brackets.
How to use it
Gently insert the interdental brush between your teeth, moving it back and forth to remove food particles and plaque.
These brushes are ideal for individuals with braces who want a quicker and more thorough cleaning.
Now that you have the right tools, it’s time to learn how to floss with braces effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get the best results:
Step 1: Get the Right Floss or Tool
Choose the floss or tool that works best for you, whether it’s traditional floss with a threader, orthodontic floss, floss picks, or interdental brushes.
Make sure you have a piece of floss that’s about 18 inches long, or the appropriate tool for the job.
Step 2: Thread the Floss Behind the Wire
If you’re using traditional floss with a threader, carefully insert the threader behind the wire of your braces.
Be gentle when pushing the floss under the wire to avoid damaging the wire or the brackets.
Step 3: Slide the Floss Between Your Teeth
Once the floss is behind the wire, gently slide it between your teeth, making sure to move it in a back-and-forth motion.
Curve the floss around each tooth and gently move it up and down to remove plaque and food particles.
Step 4: Clean the Brackets
After you’ve flossed between your teeth, use the floss or your tool to clean around the brackets. Gently rub the floss up and down around each bracket to remove any debris stuck around it.
Step 5: Repeat for Every Tooth
Move on to the next tooth and repeat the process until you’ve cleaned all of your teeth. Be sure to take your time and clean every space between your teeth to maintain optimal oral health.
Step 6: Rinse and Clean Your Tools
Once you’ve finished flossing, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to remove any leftover particles. Clean your floss or tools thoroughly after each use to prevent bacteria buildup.
It’s recommended to floss at least once a day, preferably after meals, to remove food particles and plaque. Flossing daily helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Yes, you can use regular floss with a threader to floss with braces. However, orthodontic floss is specifically designed to make the process easier and more efficient.
Flossing with braces can be a bit more challenging because of the wires and brackets. However, with the right tools and techniques, it becomes much easier to maintain good oral hygiene.
Flossing with braces doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
With the right tools and techniques, you can effectively clean between your teeth and around your braces, ensuring optimal oral health during your orthodontic treatment.
Whether you use traditional floss with a threader, orthodontic floss, or interdental brushes, taking the time to floss properly can help prevent plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease.
Remember to floss regularly, visit your orthodontist for check-ups, and maintain good oral hygiene throughout your treatment to keep your smile healthy and bright.
Class One Orthodontics is where smiles are masterfully crafted. As Worcester and Newton's premier orthodontic experts, we pride ourselves on providing unparalleled care with a personal touch. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and a dedication to our community, we're not just creating beautiful smiles – we're shaping the future of oral health with a warmth and expertise that's unmatched.
