Braces can significantly enhance your smile, but caring for your teeth with braces can be challenging, especially when it comes to flossing. So why is it important to take care of your teeth while you have braces?
We will delve into the importance of flossing, recommend the best tools, and provide some helpful tips to simplify flossing with braces. Also, consider consulting an orthodontist near you as they can help enhance your oral care routine.
Why is Flossing Important?
When you have braces, food can easily get stuck in the brackets and wires, making flossing more important. Flossing regularly helps to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and under your gums, which helps to avoid oral health conditions like cavities, gum disease, or white spots on your teeth.
What Tools Do You Need to Floss with Braces?
After getting braces in Orlando, flossing can be difficult, but there are special tools that can be considered helpful. Here are some tools that you might need while flossing with your braces:
- Floss threaders: These are like a needle that helps you get the floss under the wire of your braces.
- Orthodontic flossers: These flossers are designed specifically for braces and have a small, thin piece of floss that can fit between your teeth and under the wire.
- Water flossers: This device uses a stream of water to remove food particles and plaque from your teeth as well as your braces.
- Interdental brushes: These tiny brushes can fit between your teeth and are great for cleaning around brackets and wires.
How to Floss with Braces?
Flossing might seem challenging, but it is important to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Gather supplies: You’ll need waxed floss, a floss threader, and a mirror.
- Prepare the floss: Cut a piece of floss about 18 inches long and put one end through the floss threader.
- Thread the floss: Use the floss threader to pull the floss under the main wire of your braces.
- Floss between teeth: Hold the floss between your fingers and gently slide it between your teeth. Move it up and down, touching each side of the tooth.
- Remove and repeat: Carefully pull the floss out, and move to the next tooth. Repeat the process for each tooth.
- Rinse: Once you’re done, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to remove any leftover particles.
Tips to Floss with Braces
Flossing with braces can be a bit tricky at first but with the right techniques, you’ll quickly master the skill to floss. Here are some helpful tips to make flossing with braces easier and more effective:
- Use a floss threader: To floss with braces, use a floss threader. It’s the easiest way to get the floss under your braces’ wires. Use waxed dental floss because it slides smoothly between your teeth and around your braces.
- Be gentle: When you floss with braces, be gentle. Don’t pull the floss too hard because it might damage your braces’ wires.
- Floss regularly: Floss at least once every day, as it helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy and lowers the chances of getting cavities or gum disease.
After getting braces near you, it is important to follow these tips from our orthodontic professionals to ensure effective flossing with braces.
Book Your Appointment with Our Orthodontist Today!
At All About Smiles Ortho, we’re dedicated to your dental health. As an experienced orthodontist in Orlando, our team can assist you with all your orthodontic needs. Visit our website or schedule a consultation today to learn more about our services and how our team can help you keep your smile healthy and bright.
Flossing with braces might seem a bit challenging at first, but with the right practice, it becomes easier. Remember, keeping your teeth clean and healthy is very important, especially when you have braces. By following these steps and tips, you’ll protect your teeth from cavities and gum disease and keep your smile looking great.