Flossing is an important part of oral hygiene, and it’s especially important for people with braces. Braces can make it difficult to clean certain areas of the teeth, but regular flossing can help prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay.
Floss Threader
A tool called a floss threader can make flossing with braces more convenient. It is a small, thin piece of plastic that is used to thread floss through the small spaces between the braces and the teeth. To use a floss threader, thread the floss through the threader and then guide the threader under the main wire of the braces and between the teeth. Once the floss is through, you can use a back-and-forth motion to clean the sides of the teeth.
Water Flosser
Another alternative to a floss threader is a water flosser. It uses high-pressure water to flush out food particles and plaque from between your teeth and braces. It is an effective way to clean hard-to-reach areas around braces.
Technique
It’s important to be gentle when flossing with braces. Braces can be delicate, and pulling too hard on the floss can damage them. Use a slow, steady motion and avoid sawing back and forth, which can cause the floss to get caught in the brackets and potentially damage them.
It’s also important to brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day, with a soft-bristled toothbrush. This will help remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.
Don’t let the obstacle of metal braces prevent you from flossing. A floss threader or water flosser can help to clean the hard-to-reach areas. Keeping up a good oral hygiene routine with braces is crucial to ensure a successful orthodontic treatment.
If you still have questions about flossing during your braces treatment, ask our orthodontic team at Parks Orthodontics to demonstrate the proper flossing technique for you. It’s never too late to learn!
