How to Floss with Braces
Corpus Christi, TX
 It goes without saying that good oral hygiene needs to be maintained at every stage of life. While this often means brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist, maintaining good oral hygiene can be difficult for some people with braces.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential regardless of whether or not you wear braces. Just remember that the process of brushing and flossing is different if you wear braces. While it’s not impossible to floss with braces, you have to learn the right technique to floss your teeth so that you do not damage the braces while maintaining oral health.
Brush Your Teeth
Before flossing your teeth, it is important to ensure that your teeth are clean. Brushing your teeth is a great way to remove any food particles or bacteria before you start flossing.
Start the Process
Wrap your index fingers in a 20cm-long piece of floss. Between the wire and teeth, thread the floss gently; being in front of a mirror helps. To eliminate plaque and food fragments, carefully slide the floss between the teeth and into the gums while applying some pressure. If you have difficulties flossing or brushing while wearing braces, call us or request a demonstration at your next appointment.
Flossing your teeth requires taking special care of your movements. For instance, if you are flossing your top teeth, you will have to make an upside-down “u” shape before going up the side of the tooth to the gumline, and down the side of the other tooth.
While removing the floss, it is important to be gentle and not pop the floss out of your teeth, which can cause damage to the tooth and the braces. For instance, you could knock off the wire, loosening the bracket of your braces, which will require an unnecessary trip to the dentist.
Using a Floss Threader
A floss threader is an affordable tool that is used to speed up the traditional technique used while flossing. This technique is much quicker, which is a great option for those who are always on the go and are looking for a quick and easy way to floss.
Inspect Your Teeth and Braces
Before you finish, it is crucial to inspect your teeth as well as the braces thoroughly. Take a tiny ball of wax and smooth it over any area of the braces that needs it if your brackets or wires are irritating the inside of your mouth.
A crucial aspect of maintaining proper dental hygiene is flossing. Floss is the only method to clean between your teeth and along the gum line. Traditional floss is easier to use and less likely to damage your braces than other forms, which is why it is usually recommended for everyone wearing braces. If you find them useful, you can also use tiny interdental brushes to clean the area surrounding the braces.
Luckily for you, at Star Orthodontics, we are always available to help you maintain good oral hygiene, with or without braces.
Contact Star Orthodontics to find out more about the right way to floss with braces and other oral health tips. |
