Flossing With Braces

If you thought flossing was difficult before, doing so with braces might seem overwhelming. In reality, flossing with braces is no harder than before. The only difference is that it’s much more important now. Braces create a variety of places for bacteria to grow. Food can get stuck in your braces even when you have the cleanest mouth. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces have put together this helpful guide for flossing. You can also contact our offices in Phoenix, AZ, to learn more.

It’s recommended that besides brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, you also floss once a day. This includes when you have braces. To get under the wires, invest in a floss threader. This is a handheld dental application that you loop your floss through. It moves the floss under the wire so you can floss normally. Do this for all of your teeth. Floss picks are also available. This is a small tool with a section of floss between two prongs. They are thin enough to fit under a dental wire.

Correct flossing technique is a necessity. Getting the floss under the wire is difficult, but the actual process of flossing is important. Remove enough floss to comfortably twirl it around each of your middle fingers. Use your floss threader to get the floss into position. Position it around the tooth in a “C” shape. Move the floss up and down to fully clean the gums. Slide the floss to the neighboring tooth and repeat. Do this for all of your teeth.

There are other ways to floss your teeth. Waterpiks are dental tools that spray a stream of water at your teeth. The pressure of the water removes all debris from your braces. They even come with special add-ons for orthodontic devices. Dental tape is another alternative. This is recommended when you didn’t floss regularly before getting your braces. It’s an easier option for sensitive teeth.

Flossing is necessary for a healthy mouth. Don’t neglect this step because of your orthodontic aligners. It’s the only way to truly clean and care for your gums. If you have braces and are in need of dental care, or are considering getting braces, contact Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces. We provide orthodontic services for your entire family. To learn more, visit our website or contact one of our convenient locations in the Phoenix, AZ, area.