The Importance of Flossing
Regular flossing is essential for maintaining good dental hygiene. Skipping flossing allows plaque to accumulate between your teeth and along the gum line, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease over time.
Some of the benefits of flossing include:
- Helps remove food particles and plaque between teeth and along the gum line where your toothbrush can’t quite reach
- Better removal of bad breath-causing bacteria than brushing alone
- Removal of plaque from below the gum line, which can erode tooth enamel and develop into tartar (can cause teeth discolouration)
- Reduces the risk of cavities
- Reduces the likelihood of soreness, puffiness, and unsightly redness of the gums
- Helps prevent gingivitis, which can progress to periodontitis
Why Flossing with Braces is Important
Flossing with braces is crucial for maintaining good oral health. It's especially important because it lowers the risk of gum diseases and cavities. After eating, food particles can get stuck between your teeth and braces. Removing these particles is essential. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles efficiently. Many people with braces find it difficult to floss, so the big question is how to floss with braces. However, it's definitely possible to accomplish this task, so there's no need to worry.
Tools to Make Flossing With Braces Easier
So, how do you floss your teeth with braces? Here are some of the common tools that are used to clean teeth:
Traditional Floss
The traditional method of using only dental floss effectively removes food and plaque from between teeth. However, it can be challenging for people with braces to thread the floss around the brackets and wire. If you choose to use this technique, be prepared to spend 10 to 15 minutes on flossing each time you floss. Many orthodontists recommend using waxed floss for this method, as unwaxed floss can tear and get stuck in the metal brackets.
Dental Floss Pick
A dental floss pick is a small plastic tool with a curved end that holds a piece of dental floss. The other end features a small plastic pick that can be used to remove large food particles that may get caught along the gum line or between the teeth, as an alternative to a wooden toothpick.
Floss Threader
An inexpensive but indispensable tool, a floss threader, can hasten the traditional flossing method. This small plastic device holds the floss to assist in easily threading it behind the braces wire. Using a floss threader can trim several minutes off your dental care routine. You can purchase floss threaders in the oral care section of supermarkets or pharmacies.
Dental Tape
Flossing may cause temporary discomfort for some, especially for those who haven't flossed regularly before getting braces. If your gums are sensitive, try using dental tape, which is smoother and thinner than regular floss. It glides between teeth more easily and can help reduce discomfort while flossing. Initially, your gums may bleed and feel swollen, but with regular flossing, they will become healthier, and the discomfort will decrease over time.
How to Floss With Invisalign
The process of flossing with Invisalign is similar to regular flossing. First, remove your aligners. Then, take out around 18 inches of floss, wrap it around your middle fingers, and carefully clean between your teeth. Remember to switch to a clean section of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
It's generally recommended that you floss before you brush. Flossing first helps remove debris between your teeth, clearing the way for the toothpaste to do its job. After flossing and brushing, thoroughly rinse your mouth and aligners before putting them back in.
How to Floss With a Built-in Retainer
Are you wondering how to successfully floss with a built-in retainer? Start by threading the floss between your retainer and the tooth's surface. Then, hold the floss as you usually would and carefully clean along the wire. Lastly, clean between your teeth. Repeat these steps until all your teeth are clean.