bracefloss

Taking care of your teeth while you have braces is not always an easy thing. Be prepared to spend three times as long on your oral care while you have braces on your teeth. Don’t worry; this time is worth it because you will get an amazing smile at the end of your orthodontic treatment. Flossing and taking care of your oral hygiene is a big part of your treatment. Daily flossing is especially important during the time that you wear braces because you’re more likely to have food particles trapped in the braces, bands and wires, which could increase your risk of a cavity if the food contains sugars.

Use The Right Tool

Using floss on teeth with braces can be difficult and very frustrating. Sliding the floss between the teeth above the wire is a bit like threading a needle. An orthodontic floss threader is an inexpensive and disposable tool available in nearly any store that sells toothbrushes and toothpaste. It is indispensable when flossing teeth with braces because it allows you to pull the floss through the teeth above the wire and reach the gum line.

Non-wax floss is more likely to catch on braces and leave behind shreds of floss. When flossing with braces, it is best to use waxed floss with a floss threader, which will slip between each tooth without catching more easily.

Steps To Follow When Flossing With Braces

Although flossing with braces is tricky, you can get the hang of it with practice if you follow these steps:

  • Use waxed floss, dental tape or a product specifically designed to clean around your braces
  • Use enough. About 18 inches of floss should suffice
  • Thread it carefully. Take the floss and carefully thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth
  • Be sure not to snap the floss-simply move it up and down gently against the side of each tooth

 

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy now is an investment in your future.  It enables you to get the best results from your orthodontic treatment and starts you toward a brighter smile that can last for a lifetime.