Jennifer is 18 years old and just got braces. For Annie, this is a whole new world. I mean, we all know the difficulties one must go through to get used to them in the first place. But most importantly, she needs to learn how to floss with braces as a part of her cleaning routine.
Having braces is no excuse to stop flossing! It’s the actual opposite. She should do it even with more passion.
If she learns how to floss correctly and keeps up with the routine, she’ll have amazing new healthy teeth once her braces come off. Oh, and super white as well!
If you, too, have braces, follow the way Annie should floss, and you’ll notice the huge difference in how clean your teeth will be.
How To Floss With Braces In 9 Quick Steps
- Jennifer gets ready and prepares her floss. Waxed dental tape or super floss is a great way to start. She chooses the classic dental tape, great decision! She’ll be able to reach difficult parts of her teeth and get them wonderfully cleaned.
- She pulls out about 18 to 24 inches of floss and cuts it off. So far so good? Alright, let’s continue.
- Annie stands before a mirror. This way, she’ll see where the floss is going and have more control of it.
- She threads the floss through the gap behind the wire of her braces. Being careful not to pull the wire from the braces. We’re just trying to clean, not to dismantle them.
- She wraps the ends in both of her index fingers and makes sure the floss is tight so it can be easy to maneuver, leaving about 6 inches o ribbon between the two fingers. That’ll be the part that she cleans her teeth with.
- Jennifer presses the floss between the teeth very gently. She starts moving it up and down along the sides of the teeth.
- For the teeth on the top, Annie forms an upside-down U with a piece of floss. Make an up and down motion to get to the tooth’s gum line, and then try to glide the floss along the side of the other tooth.
- Once she finishes, she removes the floss carefully and being careful to not pop the floss out of your tooth because one of your wires can dislodge.
- She just repeats the process in the other teeth with the same piece of floss until you have gotten rid of as much bacteria and plaque as possible.
And just like Jennifer, you now know how to floss with braces effortlessly! Give us a call at Serena Family & Cosmetic Dentistry if you are interested in a consultation to discuss this with a professional.
Other Helpful Tips To Floss With Braces
- Did you know the general routine that professionals recommend is to floss before brushing your teeth? Yes! This way, you’ll loosen up and get all the plaque out for when you brush, leaving you with a better and cleaner result. You can also do it any time you want, but before going to bed is better. Sweet and clean dreams!
- Get a water flosser. The most known is the one from Waterpik. This device uses water and pressure to reduce plaque and bacteria. It can clean between brackets and wires on places where it would typically be quite tricky to reach.
- Use disposable floss picks. These are practical options to use dental floss. Their use is effortless and can also clean hard-to-reach places, like the teeth in the back of your mouth.
- If you don’t want to use a super floss, which has three components that make it much easier to manipulate. There are also floss threaders, which can assist with the traditional method to floss. It’s a small plastic needle that will help you thread the floss ribbon through the wire of your braces.
- Proxy brushes are another tool that can benefit your teeth. These are small pointed brushes with bristles that help clean behind the braces, under the wires, and between the teeth. You can put a little bit of toothpaste in it, and it will be even more useful.
- Get regular cleanings from your dentist at least every 3 months. There is no better way to really get your teeth and hardware cleaned than by going to a professional.
- Avoid using whitening tubes of toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, the paste won’t be able to get under the brackets, so when you take them out, your teeth will most likely show an inconsistent color.
Why Does Flossing Matter?
It matters just as much as brushing. The goal is to avoid gum disease and cavities in your teeth. Because having a beautiful esthetic smile is cool, but having good oral health is even better. Gum disease can cause lots of issues to your body, not only to your mouth.
For instance, gum disease can affect your heart or the fetus in pregnancy, causing the baby to be premature or have a low birth weight.
Besides, when having braces, it is crucial to maintain your future straight teeth in the most optimal way to be able to enjoy the results of your hard work.
Dental floss can reach spaces that a toothbrush can’t, spaces that house lots of bacteria we don’t even notice. This is also why dental check-ups are very useful.
Visiting a Clairemont dentist twice a year can help you prevent more severe dental issues that could cost you time and money in the long run.
In Serena Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we have some of the best dentists in San Diego that can help you have a healthy journey with your braces.
If you have any questions or concerns about your teeth’ status with braces, schedule an appointment today! Please send us a message or call us. A San Diego dentist will be ready to see you and give you the tools and guidance you need to maintain a healthy smile.
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