Flossing With Braces in Brooklyn: Tips and Tricks
Remembering to floss everyday can be a challenge for many but it can become even more challenging with braces. Flossing at least once a day is essential to achieve and preserve healthy teeth and gums.
Flossing is even more important during the time that you are wearing braces because food particles are prone to get stuck in the bands, wires and brackets. By not flossing you are taking a risk of the cavity-causing particles getting trapped in the spaces, especially if the food contains sticky carbohydrates or sugars. By not paying attention to your oral hygiene during the realignment of your teeth you also increase the threat of gum disease.
Flossing with braces in Brooklyn is a tricky task but Dr. Mohamed AlJanabi of Brooklyn Orthodontics has some simple tricks to make flossing easier:
- Use a Floss Threader
Flossing with braces on is often difficult and frustrating, however with the use of orthodontic floss threading it make the task a little easier. A floss threader is designed to help make flossing with braces easier. The tool is like a needle you simple need to pull one end of the floss through the threader and feed the threader under the main wire of the braces. After the floss is threaded, slide the floss up and down the sides of both teeth and under the gums only stopping when you hear a squeaky sound letting you know it is time to move onto the next tooth.
- Use Wax Floss
A non-waxed floss is more likely to catch on the brackets of your braces and shred leaving behind debris on your braces. When flossing with braces it best to use wax floss in combination with a floss threader.
- Take Your Time
Be prepared to take up to three times longer to floss your teeth while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Remember the wires in the braces make flossing a tricky task that takes more time than flossing without, however neglecting to floss when cause harmful damage to your teeth and gums. Flossing above and below the wire is important to ensure all debris is removed.
- Explore Additional Options
There are additional tools that can help aid in the flossing process while undergoing orthodontic treatment. One such option is an oral irrigator, a tool which shoots a stream of water to remove particles of food and clean between teeth. This is not recommended in place of flossing but is helpful as a complement to flossing, by getting food particles caught in hard to reach places. Another option is the use of a proxy brush, a small, pointed brush that has bristles in the shape of a Christmas Tree. The shape makes them ideal for cleaning behind wires. However, these are not intended to replace floss as the brush is unable to clean between the teeth.
By following these simple steps and taking an active approach in your oral care your smile will be better when treatment is done and the braces come off.
Flossing is an important element of caring for your braces in Brooklyn. If are in need of orthodontic care, look no further than the friendly staff at Brooklyn Orthodontics and Dr. Mohamed AlJanabi. Schedule your free consultation online or by calling (718) 333-5898.