How Exactly Do I Floss With Braces?

Posted on December 7, 2023

Many millions of people have straightened out their smiles with braces. It’s important to care for your braces and to safeguard your oral health when undergoing braces treatment. This includes regularly brushing and flossing. Given that the average adult will wear braces for about three to four years, according to Humana, it’s crucial that you understand how to properly care for your teeth while wearing them. Let’s cover a general approach to flossing while using braces.

Traditional Flossing While Wearing Braces

You can use traditional floss while wearing braces, but you’ll want to select a wax-coated variety. Then, you’ll cut off a piece of string, wrap it around your fingers, and gently floss between your teeth. Maneuvering around the braces can be tricky, and floss can also irritate your gums. Still, with patience, you will likely get a good hand on it. Be sure to ask your orthodontist for specific advice if you’re struggling.

Using a Floss Threader

Passing floss between teeth with braces can be difficult. However, you can use a floss threader to make this whole process easier. You’ll attach floss to the threader and then insert the threader below your braces and pass it through to the other side of your teeth. Using a threader is time-consuming but can be especially helpful for folks wearing braces.

Using a Water Flosser

Water flossers use pressurized streams of water to clean out debris between your teeth and braces. These can be especially effective and easy to use for people with braces as the water can easily penetrate the braces themselves as well as your teeth. The jets of water can irritate the gums if misused, but you can often reduce pressure.

When it comes to ease of use and saving time, water flossers are arguably the best option for folks with braces. It’s important to learn how to use a water flosser properly, however. Misused, a water flosser could damage your braces and cause other problems. That said, if you’re undergoing braces treatment, consider talking with your orthodontist about water flossers and other options.

Need help with flossing and taking care of your braces? Considering braces treatment and not sure if it’s right for you? Feel free to reach out to us at Chelian Orthodontics to learn more.