Have you ever wondered what a dental floss threader is? If so, keep reading! A dental floss threader is a tool that helps you thread floss through tight spaces in your mouth. It looks like a needle with a loop of string attached to it. You can use it to help you clean areas where floss doesn’t go easily, like between your teeth or around braces.
It’s easy to use: simply wrap the threader around the end of your floss and then use it to push the string through your tight space. Once the floss is through, pull it out just as you would with regular flossing. When using this tool, make sure not to push too hard on any tooth surfaces—this could cause damage or even breakage if done too forcefully! The key is gentleness and patience as you guide the string through each space in turn until all of your teeth are clean.
Read on to learn more about How To Use A Dental Floss Threader, How To Use Dental Floss With Draces
How To Use A Dental Floss Threader
Many are aware that flossing is a vital step in your oral care, but fewer know what tools are available to make it less of a chore. Floss threaders might be what you’ve been looking for if you have braces, a permanent retainer, a bridge, or another orthodontic device. We’re here to help navigate why flossing is important and how to do it correctly with a threader.
Why Floss?
Cleaning between your teeth with floss or a flossing device is an essential part of your dental care routine, especially if you have a dental appliance. Why is flossing so important? The best way to care for your oral health is to avoid problems before they start.
Cleaning between your teeth removes food debris and plaque, preventing cavities and gum disease. If plaque isn’t cleaned, it hardens into tartar that requires a dental professional’s help to remove. Food matter that is not adequately removed will contribute to bacterial growth and tooth decay.
Remember that the most important part of flossing is not the type you use but that you do it effectively and regularly. By educating yourself on proper flossing technique and making it part of your daily routine, you’re making a great step for your oral health.
Tips for cleaning between your teeth effectively:
- Choose a time of day that’s convenient for your schedule to floss so that you can devote the proper time and attention to the task.
- Don’t reuse floss as it could be damaged or contain harmful bacteria.
- Schedule regular visits to your dentist or dental hygienist.
What Are Floss Threaders?
The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth with a flossing device once a day and brushing twice a day. This part of your routine can be especially challenging if you have an orthodontic device like braces, a permanent retainer, or a bridge.
Luckily, floss threaders are here to help.
These helpful tools make it easier to floss effectively for those who find it difficult due to their dental appliance or other challenges. Not only can it be an ordeal to clean difficult to reach areas, but braces and other devices can fray the floss and force you to start over.
Floss threaders are loops of thin material that make it easier to clean difficult to reach areas of your teeth and gums with floss. They’re disposable, work with any regular floss, and are easy to find online or at any store with a dental section.
Helpful tip: If you’re having trouble finding a flossing device that works for you, it’s a good idea to consult your dental professional. It’s also a good idea to schedule an appointment with the pros if you’re experiencing pain or bleeding when flossing regularly.
How to Use a Floss Threader
Flossing with a threader is much like flossing normally but may take extra time and effort as you master the technique. You’ll be glad to have made the extra effort to avoid health problems down the line like cavities or gum disease that will require the help of a dental professional to treat.
How to properly use a floss threader:
- Break off between 12-18 inches of your favorite floss.
- Run approximately 5 inches of one end of the floss through the loop of the threader.
- Run the floss threader through your dental appliance and into a gap between your teeth.
- Remove the loop of the threader and floss normally. Press the floss into your gumline, form it into a C-shape, and run it gently up and down the sides of both teeth.
- Repeat for each tooth, including the outside of your back teeth. Discard the threader after use.
If this process sounds challenging, don’t worry! Keep in mind that it will get easier with practice, and the first time will be the most difficult. Cleaning between your teeth is a vital step in your dental routine, and floss threaders may be the tool you’re missing to make flossing easier. You’re now set up for success after informing yourself on the best way to use floss threaders.
How To Use Dental Floss With Draces
Cleaning and flossing your teeth when you have braces is vitally important to your smile and your health.
Flossing, or using wax-covered thread to clean between teeth, scrubs the hard-to-reach places that are easily missed by brushes, especially with brackets and wires in the way. Floss between each tooth once a day, and use a small interproximal brush to clean around the brackets and under the wires.
Don’t skip flossing, even if it takes more time with your braces. These flossing techniques may make the process faster and easier. No matter which method you choose, it’s important to floss regularly to prevent gum disease and tooth decay while braces are working to align your teeth for a more confident smile.
Traditional flossing
This tried-and-true flossing technique is a great way to clean food and plaque from between teeth, but for people with braces, it can be a bit tricky. Threading the floss around the brackets and wire takes time.
Plan to give yourself 10 to 15 minutes to floss your teeth if you use this method. The only tool you will need is waxed floss. Unwaxed floss can tear and become stuck in the metal brackets.
How to use traditional floss with braces
Cut an 18- to 24-inch piece of floss.
Thread the floss between the main wire and your teeth. It helps to be in front of a mirror so you can watch the thread to make sure it’s going where you’d like it to.
Wrap the ends of the floss around your index fingers to make handling the floss easier.
Gently press the floss between the two teeth, and slide the floss up and down along the sides of both teeth. If you’re doing the top teeth, make an upside-down U shape: Go up the side of one tooth to the gumline, and then go down the side of the other tooth.
Remove the floss, and gently unthread it from behind the wire. Be careful to not pop the floss out of the tooth. You might accidentally knock the wire and pop it out of the bracket.
Move to the next pair of teeth, and repeat the process.