Flossing and Braces: Tips from Dr. Elchahal

While braces are invaluable for correcting teeth alignment and improving your dental health and your smile, it is no secret that they can also make life more complicated – temporarily. One of the biggest concerns while wearing braces is proper dental hygiene, and flossing with braces is not the most graceful activity.

But because your braces can catch food and allow plaque to build up around them, increasing the risk of gum disease, it is more important than ever to floss every day. Fortunately there are products to help you successfully floss around and between your braces, and they are easy to use:

Floss Threaders

A floss threader is perhaps the most common tool to help you floss with braces. Made of a special, rigid floss, a threader works like a sewing needle. First, pull your floss through the loop at the end of the threader and tie a knot. Then guide the straight end of the threader underneath your archwire and pull it away from your gums until it is completely through. Once you have the threader through your braces, take hold of the floss and begin flossing as usual.

Stiff-Ended Floss

Made with a bendable but rigid segment at its end, this special floss works much the same as a floss threader. Simply maneuver the stiff end under the archwire of your braces, pull it through, and continue to floss normally.

FlossFish

The FlossFish is a small implement, about the size of a toothpick, used to extend floss underneath your braces. Slip one end of your floss through the small hole at the tip of the FlossFish and pull it through. Holding your floss tight against the body of the FlossFish, insert the shaft under the archwire, in between each bracket. Work the shaft and the floss carefully to remove plaque between your teeth as you would when flossing normally.

Monofilament or Multifilament?

There are two types of floss available: nylon, also known as multifilament floss, and PTFE, or monofilament floss. Nylon floss, which is available waxed or unwaxed, is the more common of the two. When flossing with braces you may find that nylon wax will begin to tear when pressed against the archwire or brackets. If this is the case you may consider monofilament floss, which, while more expensive, is virtually shred-resistant.

Oral Irrigators

An irrigator, such as a Waterpik®, works by shooting a very fine jet of water between and around teeth to clear away plaque and food. This system can make cleaning around your braces much easier.

Remember to always follow flossing with brushing and rinsing. For brushing with braces, we recommend using a combination of a regular soft toothbrush and a proxabrush for cleaning between braces. As always, let us know if you have questions about the best way to keep your teeth clean and healthy while you’re in treatment.