4 Ways to Floss With Braces

Many people get stressed out about the prospect of having to wear braces, but they really shouldn’t. The entire process is relatively easy and you can care for your teeth in much the same way that you do without braces. Many new patients question how they will be able to floss their teeth while still wearing braces. Here are the 4 most common ways as recommended by an orthodontist in Flower Mound.

Use Traditional Floss

Contrary to popular belief, it is completely possible to clean your teeth with normal dental floss while braces are on them. To do so, simply thread the floss behind the Flower Mound braces and move it back and forth just as you normally would. Remember to rinse afterward to aid in removing food debris.

Some patients find that their gums bleed or are otherwise hyper-sensitive to regular floss. In these instances, the orthodontist may recommend what is known as dental tape, which is gentler on the gums. It resembles ribbon and is used in the same way that floss is, by sliding it in and out between your teeth and braces.

Use A Threader

If you find that you have trouble threading the floss by hand and getting it behind your braces, you can always use a device known as a floss threader. This works much in the way that a needle does and is an excellent way to keep the teeth clean without using unfamiliar tools. You simply thread the floss through the eye loop once and then you can easily floss all of your teeth without having to re-thread.

Water Flosser

This type of device is very popular for those who want to complement their flossing efforts. You simply fill the reservoir of the flosser with tap water and then aim the nozzle at the spaces in between your Flower Mound braces. Some orthodontists may also recommend adding a little bit of mouthwash to the water to increase the antibacterial effectiveness of the treatment. Always remember to regularly clean the reservoir so that bacteria cannot grow in it.

Interdental Brush

An interdental brush is a tool that your orthodontist in Flower Mound may send home with you. This is a special type of toothbrush that resembles a miniature bottle cleaner. Its unique shape is specially designed to easily fit behind braces. Many patients report that they find this is the easiest way to floss in between their newly installed dental appliances.

If you are looking for more expert tips on how to floss your teeth after getting braces, please contact Bailey Orthodontics in Flower Mound or Coppell. One of our friendly staff will be more than happy to assist.