How To Use Dental Floss With Braces

How To Use Dental Floss With Braces

Braces are an effective treatment for misaligned teeth, but they can be annoying at times. Having to floss after every meal is one of the most inconvenient aspects of having braces. This may be a breeze for some, while others may find it to be child’s play. In any case, it’s a daily habit that needs to be maintained.

The trouble is, you can’t use regular floss with brackets and wires on your teeth; you require orthodontic flossers. Here are some suggestions for using dental floss with orthodontic appliances.

Dental floss is an essential item for those who have braces . However, using dental floss correctly may be tricky for some new users, Having braces fitted can be awesome, and living with them can become your routine. However, there are times where you may need to use dental floss more than usual. It’s important to use the right type of floss, especially since it can be difficult for braces users. In this article, you will find valuable information about dental floss with braces. Read on to learn more on best dental floss for braces and how to floss with permanent retainer.

How To Use Dental Floss With Braces

Flossing with braces may seem an impossible task at first. But with practise it soon becomes second nature and an extension of brushing your teeth.
 

Why is Flossing So Important? 

You might wonder how a small piece of floss can make much difference to your oral health. But you’ll be surprised at how effective flossing is. No matter how well you brush your teeth, no toothbrush can get into all the nooks and crannies like floss can.  

By brushing and flossing, you’re removing food and bacteria that can lead to staining and cavities. It also helps prevent gingivitis and other oral health problems that can be a problem later in life. Brush at least twice and floss once daily.  
 

How to Floss With Braces

It’s true, flossing with braces is tricky at first. But with a little patience, you’ll get the hang of it and you’ll be a pro in no time. Flossing also takes time, but if you ask us, it’s totally worth it!
 

Follow Our Steps
 

Step 1

Brush your teeth to remove bacteria, food particles and plaque. Make sure your brush reaches all surfaces of your teeth (outer surface, inner surface and flat surfaces of your top and bottom arch). 
 

Step 2

Take a piece of floss around 20 cm long and wrap the ends around your index finger so you have a tight grip. ( we use superfloss as it has a thick spongy part that really does a great job cleaning). 
 

Step 3

Line up the floss with the gap between your teeth and thread between the wire and your teeth.
 

Step 4

Move the floss between the teeth, along the vertical sides of each tooth and into the movable gum tissue to remove any food particles and plaque build-up.   
 

Step 5

Curl the used floss around your finger after flossing each tooth so you don’t put germs back into your mouth.
 

Step 6

Move on to the next tooth and repeat the process. 
 

Products Available for Flossing Teeth 

There are a few alternative products available on the market now for cleaning your interdental space, not just wax floss. Experiment to see which one you prefer. 
 

Dental Floss

Most people are familiar with dental floss, it has been around for 200 years. It started out as waxen silk thread, but we now use waxed or unwaxed nylon. The waxed version is a little thicker than unwaxed floss, but unwaxed is a little more likely to get caught on braces. We recommend that you try Superfloss, an Oral-B product because of the the broader spongy length that makes it cover more surface area.

To make using floss around your braces easier, you could try a floss threader. The threader helps get past the wire and between each tooth. Parents may need to help young children with flossing until they can manage it themselves.    

Interdental Brushes 

Interdental brushes have small bristles that make it easy to get in between teeth to remove food and plaque. Place the brush between teeth and brush gently back and forth a few times to dislodge any particles of food. Interdental brushes are designed for use with water only not toothpaste as it can be too abrasive.

They’re available in different widths to suit the size of the gaps between your teeth and last between three days and three weeks before you need to replace the brush.

There is some research to show that interdental brushes are less aggressive than floss on the gums because the brushes don’t cut into the gums like floss can. The bristles on the brush may also be more effective than dental floss at removing bacteria in the interdental space. 
 

Water Flosser 

A water flosser sprays water between the teeth to remove food. Water flossers are also good for removing food around the brackets and wires, but aren’t necessary because your toothbrush and floss can do the same job.    

A water flosser is good for people who don’t like to use floss because they find it fiddly or tedious. Water flossers are easier to manoeuvre and use than floss, particularly for people who have arthritic hands. 

So, the choice is yours. Choose whichever flossing tool you’ll use every day. 
 

FAQs on Flossing with Braces
 

Is It More Important for People with Braces to Floss?

Yes, wearing braces means there are far more areas where food particles can get trapped and this attracts bacteria. The bacteria produce acids and form plaque. Effective brushing and flossing is the best way of removing as much bacteria as possible from teeth.  
 

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Why Does Flossing Hurt?

Flossing may hurt your gums if you haven’t flossed consistently. If that’s the case, keep up with flossing and your gums will settle down.  
 

Should I Keep the Floss Away from My Gums?

It’s important to use floss in your gum line, but you want to do it carefully. If you pull the floss down hard into the gum, you risk bruising. Floss gently by curving the floss around the base of the tooth (in a C shape) so the floss can get into the tooth pocket without causing any damage. 
 

Can You Floss Before Brushing?

If you have food stuck between your teeth or braces, you can use floss to help dislodge it. Most people prefer to floss after brushing their teeth but it’s your choice. The most important part is that you floss, whatever the order. 
 

Do I Need to Floss Every Day?

It only takes 24-36 hours for plaque to harden on teeth. By flossing every 24 hours, you don’t give plaque the chance to harden. Once plaque has hardened, it harbours more bacteria in the mouth and can lead to cavities.

How To Floss With Permanent Retainer

How to Floss With Braces

Ask anyone what the hardest part about braces is, and they’ll usually give you the same answer: flossing.

One study shows that only 30% of Americans floss their teeth when they don’t have braces…

…so you can bet that it’s even less when someone has another obstacle, like braces on their teeth to get around.

Why is Flossing With Braces So Important?

According to the American Dental Association, “Cleaning between teeth removes plaque that can lead to cavities or gum disease from the areas where a toothbrush can’t reach.”

In other words, flossing removes plaque and helps prevent cavities and gum disease.

If someone has braces, the risk for plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease increases dramatically. If you invested in braces to make your teeth straight then shouldn’t you want them to remain clean and healthy in the process?   

That’s why we want to show you the easiest, most effective ways to floss your teeth with braces. 

How to Floss With Braces Using a Floss Threader

Before you pick up some regular floss, you need to know that it doesn’t work quite the same way if you have braces… 

An extra tool is required in order to get the floss beneath the archwire. This tool is called a floss threader.

The best way to picture a floss threader is to first imagine a needle and thread.  The floss threader will act as the needle, and your floss will be the thread. 

First, pass a piece of floss through the floss threader…

…and then using the floss threader, “thread” the floss beneath the wire. 

Once you have the floss beneath the wire, you can floss as you normally would.

Best Dental Floss For Braces

Waxed dental floss is recommended for those with braces, as it tends to slide better between closely-spaced teeth. Like dental super floss, you can use it around dental appliances for added cleaning ability.

After you have flossed one tooth you will need to repeat this process for each tooth.  

1. Very Inexpensive – Your orthodontist will likely give you a pack for free (or you can pick some up for a few dollars on Amazon or at a drug store)
2. Reusable – One pack will likely last you months or years
3. A Process You’re Already Used To – No special tools are needed, just the threader and floss.

The Cons of using a Floss Threader to Floss With Braces

1. Tricky To Use At First – This is especially true for younger kids. Using the floss threader requires some hand skills that may prove difficult for young children.
2. Takes Longer Than Normal Flossing – . Because you have to repeat the process of flossing beneath the wire for every tooth in your mouth, this can be a time consuming process.

Check out our video about brushing and flossing with braces! It demonstrates exactly how floss threaders are used.

Overall, using a floss threader to floss with braces works well and many patients choose this option for its cost-effectiveness. But if you’d like to find a faster or easier option, keep reading below…

How to Floss With Braces Using Superfloss

Superfloss is essentially a piece of floss with one stiff end.

Superfloss works similarly to a floss threader, only you don’t need to do the “needle and thread” process. You simply take the stiff end of floss, guide it beneath your archwire, and floss your teeth.  

The Pros of Using a Superfloss to Floss With Braces:

1. Easier Than a Floss Threader – Most kids and adults figure this method out pretty easily.
2. Easy To Find – It can be purchased on Amazon or at your local drug store

The Cons of using a Superfloss to Floss With Braces

1. Also Time Consuming – Because you have to repeat the process of guiding the floss beneath the wire, it does take a little bit of time. 
2. Not Reusable –  Super floss is a one-time use product, so each day you will use a new piece and throw it away. This product isn’t too expensive, but while you are in braces you will likely need several boxes to get you by. 

Superfloss is a great tool that cleans well. Grab a pack next time you’re at the drug store and try it out for yourself!

How to Floss With Braces Using a Platypus Orthodontic Flosser

Platypus Orthodontic Flossers are one of the quickest, and EASIEST ways to floss with braces. 

There is no threading required with the platypus orthodontic flossers. The narrow side of the flosser is designed to fit behind the arch wire, allowing you to floss your entire mouth in no more than two minutes (usually less)!

The easiest way to understand how the Platypus Orthodontic Flosser works is to see it in action.  Click below to watch a video about how to floss with braces using the Platypus Orthodontic Flosser.

The Pros of Using a Platypus Orthodontic Flosser to Floss With Braces:

1. Fastest Method – You can floss your entire mouth in two minutes or less.
2. No Threading Required –  This makes it easier for young kids who may struggle with the floss threaders on their own.

The Cons of Using a Platypus Orthodontic Flosser to Floss With Braces

1. Cost More Than Floss Threaders –  The Platypus Orthodontic flossers are a one-time use product, so each day you will use a new flosser and throw it away. This product is still reasonably priced, however,  and you can buy them in larger packages to save money. 
2. Difficult To Find In-Store – This is most likely a solution you will need to order online.   You can find them on Amazon with free shipping and in multiple package sizes. 

How to Floss With Braces Using a Harp Orthodontic Flosser

The Harp Orthodontic Flosser is very similar to the platypus flosser – it too allows you to floss without threading. You simply guide the small end of the flosser beneath the archwire to floss your entire mouth; no threading required!  

The Pros of Using a Harp Orthodontic Flosser to Floss With Braces:

1. Quick And Easy –  You can floss your entire mouth in two minutes or less.
2. No Threading Required – This makes it easier for young kids who may struggle with the floss threaders on their own.
3. Reusable For Up To A Week – , This means less total flossers you will have to buy throughout the time you have braces.

The Cons of Using a Harp Orthodontic Flosser to Floss With Braces

1. Cost More Than Floss Threaders – Harp Flossers cost more than floss threaders, but they are still very reasonable.  To get a month’s supply of Harp flossers it comes out to about $5!
2. Difficult To Find – They can’t be found at local drug stores or on Amazon, but you can order them direct on the Harp company website. 

How to Floss With Braces Using a Waterpik or Water Flosser

A Waterpik is a popular brand of water flosser.  A water flosser is a device that delivers a stream of pressurized pulsating water between your teeth, along the gum line, and around your braces.  If you find that string floss, no matter the type,  is too difficult to do on a daily basis, then a water flosser might be a good choice for you!

In addition to cleaning between your teeth like floss, a water flosser can also help remove food debris along the gum and around the braces. Watch the video below to see how a water flosser can help you floss with braces and keep your braces clean.

The Pros of Using a Waterpik or Water Flosser to Floss With Braces:

1. No String Required –  If you or your child struggles with string floss, a water flosser is likely the best answer. It’s quick, easy and lets you floss your entire mouth in two minutes or less.
2. Helps Around The Braces And Gum Line  – String floss just can’t get to these areas.
3. Easy To Find – You can pick Waterpiks or water flossers up at your local drug store or online.
4. One-Time Investment – One unit will last the entire time you’re in braces—plus a long time after that! This is also the most eco-friendly choice, as it allow you to entirely eliminate trash waste from your flossing routine.
5.  

The Cons of Using a Waterpik or Water Flosser to Floss With Braces

1. Most Expensive – Portable units start around $30, and counter top units may cost up to $70. But remember, you never have to replace it while you’re wearing braces.
2. Not Portable –  A water flosser does require you to be near a sink in order to use it.

No matter which type of floss you choose . . . there’s no doubt that flossing with braces is crucial to maintaining healthy teeth, healthy gums, and avoiding bad breath with braces. 

With the tools listed above, you’ll find it easier and less time consuming than ever to floss with braces.

Flossing with braces hurts

It’s important to keep your braces and teeth properly clean. Otherwise, you may end up with gum disease and decalcification of your teeth! Cleaning teeth in braces isn’t hard; it just takes time and patience. When you first get your braces on, brushing and flossing will probably take 10 to 20 minutes. As you get used to your braces and time passes, you’ll get faster at it.

The first few days after you get your braces, your teeth and gums may be very sensitive. It may be extremely difficult to brush and floss properly because of this sensitivity. Just do your best. You may need to take a break from flossing for a few days until the initial pain and sensitivity subside.

How often should you brush your teeth? Ideally, after every meal and snack. Of course, that may not be realistic. Just brush as often as you can. In between, swish water in your mouth or just rinse and spit a few times. Make sure that you floss at least once a day.