How To Floss With Braces: A Dentist’s Guide
Braces are a fantastic way to straighten your teeth, but like anyone who’s sported metal in their mouth will tell you, it comes with some challenges. Chief among them: maintaining your oral hygiene. Flossing with braces might seem tricky at first, but it’s absolutely essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment.
When you have braces, food can get trapped around the brackets and wires, making it harder to keep your teeth clean. Regular brushing alone isn't enough to remove all the debris, especially between your teeth and around the gums. Flossing is the best way to clean these hard-to-reach areas and maintain your oral health. If you skip flossing, plaque can build up, leading to cavities and gum issues, which will slow down your orthodontic progress.
Luckily, our in-house dental experts are here to break down the best and most effective way to floss with braces.
How to Floss with Braces: Step-by-Step
1. Use a Floss Threader
Unlike normal flossing, you can't simply thread regular floss between your teeth with braces because the wire in the middle of your teeth blocks the way. This is where a floss threader comes in, like our Cocoplush threaders. A floss threader has a precise pointed tip, allowing you to get the floss under the wire so you can clean effectively.
To use the threader, slide the threader tip in and through between the teeth you aim to clean and gently guide it under your braces’ wire. Once the floss is in place, you can remove the threader and use the floss to clean your teeth.
2. Make a "C" Shape and Work It In
After getting the floss under the wire, it’s time to clean between your teeth. Gently curve the floss into a “C” shape around one tooth. This is important because the "C" shape helps the floss hug the tooth on both sides, ensuring you clean it all around. Work the floss gently around each tooth, wrapping it around the sides to get the plaque and debris from all angles.
3. Repeat for Every Tooth
Floss between every tooth—yes, even the molars! It might take a little longer at first, but making sure every space is cleaned helps prevent plaque buildup and keeps your teeth in great shape. Don’t skip any spots, as plaque can accumulate even in the farthest corners of your mouth.
4. Use an Interdental Brush
If you want some extra plaque-busting performance (especially if you're prone to gingivitis or maybe have periodontitis), an interdental brush like the Great Gums Brush is an excellent way to further clean your teeth. It works like a toothbrush for the enamel and gums between your teeth, cleaning those hard-to-reach places.
5. Finish with Rinsing
After you’ve flossed, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to clear away any leftover particles. This also gives you a quick check to make sure you’ve cleaned thoroughly.
The two most important things to keep in mind:
- Don’t rush when flossing with braces. Be gentle to avoid hurting your gums or damaging the wires and brackets.
- Consistency is key. Make flossing part of your daily routine, and aim for once a day, ideally before bed. If you’re brushing after every meal, try to floss at night to remove any lingering food from the day.
Patience is a virtue and while flossing with braces may take a bit of practice, it’s truly essential for maintaining healthy oral hygiene while you have your braces on. By using a threader, being gentle with floss, and brushing often, you can make sure your teeth stay clean and healthy. With consistency, you’ll be on your way to your happiest smile yet—no matter where you are in your braces journey.
