How to Floss with Braces in Zionsville, IN

Struggling to know how to floss with braces in Zionsville, IN? It’s simple with the right techniques and tools. One tried and true way is to use waxed floss and a floss threader to clean around your braces and in between teeth. Gently guide the floss under the wire and between your teeth, moving the floss up and down.

Continue reading the full article to learn even more techniques for flossing with braces.

Why Flossing with Braces Matters

Braces help straighten teeth, but they can also make cleaning your teeth more cumbersome. Food and plaque often get stuck around brackets and wires. If this extra debris isn’t removed, it can lead to tartar, tooth decay (cavities), and gum disease. Flossing gets rid of bacteria and food that brushing alone can’t reach.

The Best Tools for Flossing with Braces

Flossing with braces is easier when you use the right tools. Here are some orthodontist-recommended options:

1. Floss Threaders

A floss threader works similar to a needle to guide dental floss under the braces wire. It’s easy to use and makes cleaning between teeth much simpler. Orthodontists recommend it as a key tool in your daily routine.

2. Water Flossers

A water flosser is a great alternative to traditional floss. It works by spraying a steady stream of water between your teeth, behind the braces wire, and around brackets. This tool is great for sensitive gums and hard-to-reach places. It’s also a helpful option if you find traditional floss difficult to manage.

3. Super Floss

Super floss has a stiff end for threading and a spongy section for cleaning. It gets into tight spaces and removes plaque and bacteria around braces and wires. Some brands offer pre-measured pieces, making it convenient to use.

4. Interdental Brushes

Interdental brushes, also called proxabrushes or “tree” flossers, are tiny brushes that reach easily behind the braces wire, in between teeth, and and under brackets. They are easy to travel with, and work well for removing food and plaque from hard-to-reach areas.

5. Floss Picks

Braces-friendly floss picks, such as Platypus Orthodontic Flossers, come with a small handle and pre-threaded floss. They have a special groove to help sneak behind the braces wire. They’re quick and easy to use, especially if you have trouble managing traditional floss.

Where to Find Flossing Tools

You can find floss threaders, water flossers, interdental brushes, and other flossing tools at most drugstores or online retailers. Having these tools available can help make your daily braces care routine smoother.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Flossing with Braces

Flossing with braces can take time and patience, but it becomes easier with practice. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Get Ready to Floss

Cut a piece of dental floss about 12 inches long. Insert it into a floss threader. Use the threader to guide the floss under the wire of your braces. According to Dr. Cameron Freelove, a professional orthodontist in Kent, WA, mastering the use of floss threaders early on simplifies the flossing process and ensures thorough cleaning.

Step 2: Clean Each Tooth

Shape the floss into a “C” around one tooth. Move it gently up and down to remove plaque and food. Use care not to snap or break the floss.

Step 3: Try a Water Flosser

For areas that are hard to floss, use a water flosser. According to Dr. Danielle Godley, orthodontist in Zionsville, IN, water flossers are a great alternative to traditional floss. Cordless versions are great if you have trouble with the water spray – they can easily used in the shower to prevent needing to clean up any water mess. Aim the water between your teeth, along the gumline, and around your braces brackets. Adjust the pressure to fit your comfort level, especially if your gums feel tender.

Step 4: Brush Thoroughly

Remember, flossing should never take the place of toothbrushing. After flossing, brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Use gentle circular motions to brush around brackets and wires. Don’t forget to use a fluoride or remineralizing toothpaste.

Common Flossing Challenges and Solutions

Flossing with braces gets easier with practice, but you may face a few challenges in the beginning. Here’s how to handle them:

Sensitive Gums

When you first start flossing, your gums might feel sore or tender, especially if you’re not used to regular flossing. This sensitivity is temporary and usually a sign that your gums are adjusting to the new routine.

Here’s how to manage it:

1. Stay Gentle: Use care when flossing, and avoid any aggressive movements. Use a slow, steady motion to clean along the gumline.
2. Rinse with Warm Saltwater: Mix ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and swish it around your mouth to reduce inflammation and ease discomfort. Avoid swallowing this mixture – always spit out.
3. Stick with it: Over time, flossing can heal and strengthen your gum tissue, making it less sensitive and healthier overall. If tenderness persists, speak with your dentist or orthodontist.

Hard-to-Reach Areas

Reaching certain parts of your mouth, such as your molars or areas around orthodontic brackets, can be challenging. Without proper cleaning, these spots become more vulnerable to plaque buildup and cavities. Here’s how to tackle them:

1. Use a Water Flosser: A water flosser delivers a gentle stream of water that’s perfect for cleaning between crowded teeth or braces. Be sure to take your time cleaning each area. It’s easy to use and highly effective for hard-to-reach spots.
2. Try Super Floss: Specially designed for braces, Super Floss has a stiff end that threads easily under wires, a spongy section for wide spaces, and regular floss for tight gaps.
3. Consider an Interdental Brush: This small, bristled tool slips into spaces between your teeth and braces with ease. It’s perfect for cleaning around brackets and wires efficiently.
4. Don’t Rush: Take your time flossing those tricky areas to ensure they’re properly cleaned. It’ll get easier with practice.

Trouble with String Floss

If traditional string floss feels difficult to manage or frustrating, don’t give up on flossing altogether—there are plenty of alternatives to simplify the process:

1. Try Floss Picks: Pre-threaded floss picks are convenient and easy to use, especially for kids or anyone struggling with dexterity. They allow you to clean one-handed and are great on the go.
2. Use Orthodontic Flossers for Braces: Specifically designed for braces, these flossers have a small notch that easily fits under wires and cleans around brackets.
3. Proxabrushes (Interdental Brushes): These tiny brushes are amazing for flossing around braces or cleaning wider spaces. Simply insert the brush between the teeth and braces to remove debris.
4. Silicone Soft Picks: These devices have soft rubber bristles that are gentle on gums but effective at removing plaque between closely spaced teeth.

Professional Flossing Advice from Godley Family Orthodontics

At Godley Family Orthodontics in Zionsville, IN, our team is here to help you maintain excellent oral hygiene during your orthodontic treatment. We provide:

• Hygiene Kit: A travel kit with a collection of comfort, cleaning, and flossing tools to help you build healthy habits and make it easy on the go.
• Flossing Guidance: Personalized tips and step-by-step instructions to improve your technique.
• Ongoing Support: Advice for handling challenges that arise during treatment.

Keep Your Smile Healthy with Godley Family Orthodontics

At Godley Family Orthodontics in Zionsville, IN, we make flossing with braces simple and effective. Our team provides personalized guidance, starter kits, and expert support to help you maintain a clean, healthy smile throughout treatment. Schedule your visit today and learn how easy it is to care for your braces with confidence!

About The Authors

Dr. Danielle Godley – Orthodontist in Zionsville, IN

Dr. Cameron Freelove – Orthodontist in Kent and Sammamish, WA

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dentists tell if you floss?

Yes, dentists can tell if you floss or not! They can spot the signs right away. Healthy gums from regular flossing look firm, pink, and don’t bleed. If you skip flossing, your dentist might notice red, swollen, or bleeding gums. They can also spot plaque between your teeth. Even if you floss right before your visit, they’ll still know.

How many times a day should I floss with braces?

When you have braces, it is recommended to floss at least once a day, especially before bed. If you can, flossing twice a day is even better! Braces have lots of small spaces where food can hide, so regular flossing helps keep your teeth and gums clean. It might take some practice at first, but it gets easier. Be gentle and take your time to reach every spot.

Do you floss or brush first?

Some people like to floss first to loosen food and plaque so the toothbrush can clean better. Others brush first, then floss to get what’s left between teeth. The most important thing is to floss, whether before or after brushing. Many dentists suggest flossing first, but the key is doing both every day. Pick the order that feels right for you and stick with it.