When you ask people the most difficult part about orthodontic services, they will normally offer you the same answer: having to floss with braces. So it’s very easy to believe that the number is even less when people have an additional obstacle like braces to work around.
Once your braces have straightened your teeth, you are more able to reach plaque found on and between your teeth. But when you are currently wearing braces, food particles and plaque have extra space to build up and become trapped. This really makes it a challenge whenever you want to clean your teeth.
You will need to spend several times as long on your oral care when wearing braces as you did before. But the investment is well worth your time. Neglecting your oral hygiene when wearing dental braces increases your odds of developing gum disease. Keeping up with your oral hygiene at home ensures that your teeth look that much better when your braces are finally removed.
Importance of Being Able to Floss With Braces
According to the American Dental Association, it is important to clean between teeth to remove plaque that would otherwise cause gum disease or cavities in places where a toothbrush cannot reach. If you have braces, the risk of developing plaque, gum disease, and dental cavities dramatically increases. Since you have made an investment in braces for straightening your teeth, shouldn’t you ensure that they remain healthy and clean in the process?
Using a Threader to Floss With Braces
Before getting yourself some regular dental floss, you should realize that it does not exactly work the same way you have braces. You need an extra tool called a floss threader to get under the archwire. To picture what a floss threader looks like, imagine a needle and thread. This device functions as the needle, and your dental floss serves as the thread.
To use a floss threader, you would begin by passing a piece of dental floss through the threader. Then you would use the floss threader to floss under the wire. After placing the dental floss under the wire, you can floss normally. Once you have flossed a single tooth, you will be repeating the process for each tooth.
Pros and Cons of Using a Threader to Floss With Braces
One of the main benefits of using a floss threader is that it is quite inexpensive. You may even be provided with a free pack, although they are very affordable at your local drugstore. You can go for months or years with just a single pack.
One drawback of using a floss threader is that it is somewhat tricky when you first use one, particularly for younger children. It does get easier as you practice, however.
It also tends to take a bit longer to floss with dental braces compared to regular flossing. This is because the process must be repeated under the archwire for all of the teeth in your mouth, which is somewhat time-consuming.
Pros and Cons of Using Superfloss to Floss With Braces
Superfloss functions much like a floss threader, but the threading part is not necessary. You take hold of the floss’ stiff end and move it under your archwire to floss your teeth.
One main advantage of superfloss is that it is easier to use than a floss threader, particularly for young children. It is also easily found at your local drugstore or online.
One negative is that the process tends to be time-consuming. It is also a one-use product, so you will be using a new piece and discarding it every day. Although it is relatively inexpensive, you will still need a few boxes.
Contact Lovett Dental Pasadena Today
Although wearing braces makes the process more difficult, it is possible to floss with braces while your teeth are being straightened. There is a learning curve involved for some people to floss with braces. But practice makes perfect, like most parts associated with orthodontic services. Contact Lovett Dental Pasadena by either completing our convenient online form or calling at 281-998-8800 for more information.