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 these two tools will help make it easier and prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay.
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. Simply 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.
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.
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 the floss back and forth, which can cause it to get caught in the braces 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 maintaining good oral hygiene. These tools can help to clean the hard-to-reach areas around braces. Keeping up a good oral hygiene routine with braces is crucial to ensure a successful orthodontic treatment.
If you still have questions, ask our orthodontic team to demonstrate the proper flossing technique for you. It’s never too late to learn!
