Flossing your teeth becomes a whole new ballgame when you add braces to the mix! Cavalancia Orthodontics is here to help you through the adjustment period and teach you how to floss effectively, even with new hardware. Unfortunately, braces make it easy for food and bacteria to stay between your teeth and the brackets. Because of this, we want all of our patients with braces to know the best and easiest techniques to remove plaque and food particles, and ultimately continue practicing excellent oral hygiene while wearing braces.
Use the Correct Tool
At Cavalancia Orthodontics, our orthodontists know that flossing with braces isn’t the easiest task. But, we will equip you with the best tools possible. Unfortunately, regular flossing and braces do not work well together. Instead, we recommend using an orthodontic floss threader, an easy inexpensive tool that can be found right next to the toothbrushes and floss in the drug store. The threader allows you to pull the floss in between each tooth, above the bracket and wire, to reach the gum line. This is essential when flossing your braces.
Waxed Floss
With your floss threader, your “orthodontist near me” also recommends using waxed floss. Waxed floss will be easier with your braces and will not break or get caught on the brackets. The difference between waxed floss and regular floss is huge when dealing with braces. Take it from us, you do not want pieces of floss stuck between your teeth!
Follow the Cavalancia Orthodontics Flossing Steps
With your threader and waxed floss, you’re ready to floss your braces. At Cavalancia Orthodontics, we want you to follow our flossing guide every day:
- Start with about 12 inches of floss.
- Put one end of the floss through the orthodontic threader.
- Grab each end of the floss and wrap it around your middle fingers.
- Gently slide the floss up and down on both sides of your teeth, make sure you get up to the gum line.
- Pull the piece of floss out and repeat for each tooth, continue until you’ve flossed every tooth.
With this technique, we are positive you’ll be a flossing pro with your braces in no time!
Schedule Your Next Appointment with Cavalancia Orthodontics Today!
If you have questions or concerns about flossing with braces or your oral hygiene routine in general, please contact our orthodontists at Cavalancia Orthodontics. Your “orthodontist near me” will always be there to assist you and make your transition to braces that much easier. Schedule your next appointment with us by calling (724) 463-7700 today! We look forward to seeing you soon.