Braces are quite popular and they can improve your smile, fix your bite, and improve your oral health. However, having braces can take some getting used to and it can make it tricky to handle your normal dental hygiene routine. It's important to stay on top of your dental hygiene when you have braces so that you can avoid cavities and decay and you can keep your teeth healthy. If you're considering braces or are about to get braces, you'll want to make sure that you understand how to floss well. Here are some tips for flossing with braces:
Use the Traditional Method
Yes, you can continue to floss your teeth the way that you already do; however, it will take some extra time, as you'll need to thread the floss through the wires. Be sure that you go slowly and allow yourself a few extra minutes so that you can do a good job and actually get between each tooth.
Use an Oral Irrigator
An oral irrigator can make your life a lot easier when you have braces. This device will shoot a steady stream of water out of its tip so that you can clean between your teeth. They even make models for individuals who wear braces. These devices will save you time and will do a great job of cleaning between your teeth.
Use a Floss Threader
Another tool that can make your life a lot less stressful is a floss threader. You will place your string of floss through the eye of the floss threader and then use the plastic point of the threader to pull the floss through the wires of your braces. While it can take some getting used to, this is an inexpensive way to make flossing a lot easier.
As you can see, there are ways to continue flossing your teeth while you wear braces. It's even more important to stay on top of your dental hygiene while wearing braces, and no step should be ignored. Since you have brackets on your teeth, you want to be even more careful to keep plaque away. When you ignore flossing while wearing braces, it can create a lot of issues for you later on. If you need help re-learning how to floss while you have braces, or if you want to get some other hygiene tips, be sure to reach out to your local orthodontist.
Share14 March 2020
Do you care for your teeth like you should? Most people brush their teeth, but so many people rush through this process and are not as careful as they should be. Still others avoid flossing. A lack of dental care over the years can lead to increased decay. Thankfully, we have dentists who can treat decay with fillings, crowns, and in some cases, root canals. Dentists also provide preventative care. They can clean your teeth and use things like fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel. The more you know about dental care, the better you'll be able to care for your mouth, so feel free to read some of the articles on this website.