February 16, 2015
Having braces on means that brushing and flossing your teeth is going to be much more difficult than before. You will need to spend a lot more time than you want to. While flossing has to be already be a part of your dental hygiene routine, it becomes especially important when you wear braces because the chances of food particles getting trapped in the wires, bands and braces is much higher. One tip from us - be patient, it takes time
One of the things you'll realize when wearing braces and wanting to floss is that it takes up to three times as much than when you have no braces on. Flossing ensures that you don't get cavities around the brackets and prevents from gum disease and bad breath.
There are a few tips you need to consider if you want to floss properly:
1. First of all, it's very important that you use waxed floss since it won't shred or get caught in your braces. You can also use dental tape or any other product that has been specifically designed to help you clean your teeth while having braces on.
Which floss is better - waxed or unwaxed?
If you don't know the difference between dental floss and dental tape read our article:
Difference between dental floss and tape
2. There's also the matter of using enough floss for each flossing session. With braces on, eighteen inches of floss should be enough.
3. You need to make sure the floss is carefully threaded under the main wire before you pass it between the teeth. Do this carefully and repeat the step with each pair of teeth.
4. Flossing with braces should be done gently, since there's a higher risk of snapping the floss. It may be frustrating to be patient, especially when you're in a hurry, but by rushing it you will end up with a shredded piece of floss. Carefully pass the contact point in between the adjacent teeth and then continue flossing towards the front and rear tooth.
5. You may want to consider getting floss picks. These will help you easily get into those difficult areas and clean it properly. In fact, these are a prime consideration of people who are just starting to practice or have new braces.
6. For better results, you may wish to use a proxy brush. Since these have bristles that are very similar to those on your Christmas tree, they can easily help you clean your teeth much faster. Just make sure to insert it between the teeth and under the wire and you should be good to go. You can also use sulcular or interspace toothbrushes.
Fossing with braces is not that difficult, but it does take a bit of practice and patience. By following these tips, you'll be able to keep your teeth clean and when you have the braces taken off your teeth and gums will look absolutely amazing.