How To Floss Properly With Braces

Cleaning and flossing your teeth while wearing braces is important for a healthy smile especially when you have braces. Flossing can remove the food debris from hard-to-reach places that brushing might miss– especially with wires and brackets in the way.

Flossing is important, even if it may seem to be impossible to floss with braces! No matter which method you use, regular flossing is essential to preventing gum disease and tooth decay as braces continue aligning your teeth for an enhanced, confident smile.

If you are soon appointed to put braces on and are wondering if will it hurt you, you are in the right place. Check out our article and discover whether are braces supposed to hurt the first week and see what you can do to alleviate pain.

Flossing with Traditional Floss

This tried-and-true flossing technique is an excellent method to remove food and plaque between teeth, but it can be difficult for people wearing braces. It takes time to master the art of flossing around each bracket and wire.

With this method, you’ll only need some waxed floss. Unwaxed floss tends to tear and become entangled in the metal brackets.

1. Cut a piece of floss that is 18 to 24 inches long.
2. Thread the floss through the main wire and between your teeth. Do this in front of a mirror so that you can monitor the thread to ensure it’s going in the right direction.
3. Wrap the floss ends within your index fingers to make them easier to handle.
4. Gently slide the floss between the two teeth, then up and down the sides of both teeth. 5. Make an upside-down U shape with the top teeth: proceed up the side of a tooth towards the gum line, then along the side of the other tooth.
5. Remove the floss from behind the wire and gently unthread it. Take care not to pull the piece of floss out of the tooth. You could accidentally push the wire out of the bracket.
6. Repeat the process with the next pair of teeth.

If you’re unsure how to floss properly with braces, please consult your orthodontist. Kumra Orthodontics specializes in braces treatment. They can help you with flossing techniques to help you with your brushing.

Flossing Using an Oral Irrigator or Waterpik

A Waterpik is a one-of-a-kind tool that cleans between teeth and along the border of the gums with a steady stream of water. And with the water continuously running, you only require three to five minutes to floss with this device. Here’s how to floss with a Waterpik properly:

1. Use the water flosser’s tapered tip. To ensure that the flosser is working properly while ensuring the water pressure is sufficient for you, push to send water through it.
2. Lean over the sink and insert the flosser tip into your mouth.
3. Turn on the water flosser. Keep water from splattering out of your mouth by closing your lips. 4. While flossing, allow the water to drain from your mouth. The water stream should be moved along the gum line and between each tooth.
4. You can gently brush your teeth and brackets to remove any food or debris.
5. Spray again between each tooth and along the gumline.
6. Repeat this procedure on each tooth’s front and back.
7. When finished, drain the water reservoir and pat dry the flosser tip.

Flossing with a Floss Threader

You can quickly speed up traditional flossing with a low-cost but indispensable tool. A floss threader is a small plastic tool. You can easily draw floss behind the braces wire using a floss threader. And, using a floss threader will shorten your dental care routine by several minutes.

1. Take an 18- to 24-inch waxed floss thread through the floss threader’s eye.
2. Insert the plastic needle’s point under the wires of your braces. Pull the floss gently through the wire. With one hand, hold the floss threader.
3. Wrap the floss to your index fingers for better control of the fine thread.
4. Gently slide the floss between the two teeth and up and down the sides of both teeth. Make an upside-down U shape with the top teeth: proceed up the side of a single tooth to the gum line, then down the side of the other tooth.

Traditional flossing can be uncomfortable for some people. This is particularly true for people who did not floss regularly before getting braces. Sometimes, when you floss for the first time, your gums may bleed.

Look into flossing with dental tape if your gums are sensitive. Dental tape allows you to glide more easily between teeth. Use dental tape in the same way you would floss using the traditional one.

Improve The Way You Floss

Consulting with a trusted dental professional is always a great idea if you want to learn more about flossing and its importance.

By visiting a reputable orthodontic practice like Kumra Orthodontics Washington DC, you can receive personalized advice and guidance on maintaining proper oral hygiene, including flossing techniques tailored to your specific needs. Schedule an appointment today!