Importance of Flossing
Flossing is very important for many reasons. There are many spots in your braces for food, plaque and bacteria to hide and wreak havoc on your teeth! Floss can reach the spaces in between your teeth that brushing cannot and it is important to do to keep your smile healthy and happy. Flossing doesn’t feel that important when I’m headed out to a friend’s house or late for work and school. Seriously, some days, it’s the last thing on my mind and there is little desire to actually put it on my to-do list….but I never regret it when I do! If you chose to skip flossing, you increase your risk of decay, calculus build up and bleeding gums….not to mention super bad breath that will make your friends cringe at your “Hello!”
How do I floss with braces?
Flossing with braces is very different from traditional flossing. Now that you have a full mouth of metal, it can be difficult to get around all of our brackets and wires to be able to get your floss between your teeth to scrub off the food and plaque from the tight spaces of your mouth. Keep in mind, younger patients may require help from a parent or older sibling as they may not have the dexterity quite yet to be able to effectively floss on their own.
Uhhh, is this even right ?!?
Frankly, flossing with braces can feel like an eternity and eternity is a loooong time! Flossing can take almost twice as long with braces than flossing without, however, with a little patience and consistency, you will learn how to floss more quickly and thoroughly than you did when you first got all your brackets. There are also a few techniques that make flossing a much more pleasant and faster experience getting me back to my weekend Netflix binge in a jiffy! Remember, practice makes perfect!
Floss Threaders
Flossing with braces is very similar to threading a needle while sewing. You must guide the floss under the wire to be able to reach the spaces in between your teeth and remove food a plaque. A floss threader comes in very handy for many orthodontic patients. It is a soft piece of plastic shaped like a needle. You thread the floss through the loop on the threader and guide the pointed end under the wire. Pull the whole threader and some of the floss underneath the wire and floss that plaque away!
Orthodontic Flossers
Orthodontic flossers are another great tool to help you get the junk out from between your teeth! These are similar to regular flossers you would see in the store, however, be sure to grab a bag of flossers that are specifically for braces, otherwise they won’t fit underneath your wire and it’s back to the store you go (because you know you really shouldn’t skip flossing tonight…again). To use an orthodontic flosser, simply glide the thin part of the flosser underneath your wire and go to town! Could flossing with braces get any easier?! Doubt it!
Daily Routine
There are not many people who actually enjoy flossing but letting a hidden piece of yesterday’s chicken rot in your mouth between your teeth is an even less attractive idea! Adding flossing to your daily routine will enhance your overall orthodontic experience, improve your overall health, and you’re your breath “hello” friendly. Give it a try! Commit to flossing every night this week and see how your mouth feels. Chances are, you won’t regret the time you took to invest in yourself. Happy flossing!
3275 Cooley Court
Suite 155
Portage, MI 49024