Whether you have braces or not, flossing is an essential part of your dental routine. Brushing your teeth three times a day won’t give your teeth enough care that it needs. Your toothbrush alone won’t reach the nooks and crannies that surround your teeth as much as flossing can.
People with braces opt to skip flossing because they find it too tedious and challenging. Here is some information and helpful tips on how to brush your teeth if you have braces:
For proper dental care, constant dental monitoring is suggested and regular visits to your dental clinic will help ensure that your teeth stay healthy and your smiles keep glowing.
Choosing the right flossing tools
A common mistake is that some patients with braces go through the difficulty of having to thread the floss through their braces with their own hands (especially if you have clear braces). This can be time-consuming and can get quite frustrating.
There are a number of different traditional floss alternatives in the market today that could help you solve your flossing issues.
Thread the floss through a loop
A handy tool that you can use to help floss with braces is a braces floss threader. Braces floss threader looks and works similar to a needle threader. You basically just connect the floss to the loop, then use the threader to move the floss under the wires of your braces. This way, you won’t have a hard time trying to thread the floss through your braces with your own hands.
Orthodontic Floss Picks are a faster alternative
Another alternative is to use orthodontic floss picks. These floss picks are not like the traditional floss picks that have wide handles which make it impossible for the floss to go through your braces’ wires. Orthodontic Floss Picks have floss attached to their handles and are designed to go through your brackets. Their handles are more narrow and make it easy for the user to slide them in between their teeth and through the wire. They are a quicker alternative to flossing but still give the same results.
Other flossing alternatives
If flossing really isn’t your thing, there are other ways to give your teeth enough dental care it needs. There are different interdental cleaners you can try that are out in the market.
A popular interdental cleaner option that works best with clear braces are interdental brushes. The tiny brushes’ design is pretty similar to bottle cleaners. This way, rubbing the brush in between your brackets and teeth will help remove any plaque or tartar that are stuck in the area. It’s like a spot cleaning toothbrush.
Another option you can try is water flossers. This tool projects a thin stream of water through your teeth and gums. It does a great job in removing plaque around your teeth and gums.
Conclusion
Whether you have braces or clear aligners, it is important to always squeeze in some flossing during your daily dental routine and have regular dental visits. Flossing improves your oral hygiene and keeps it healthy, reducing the risk of other possible mouth disease and even heart disease.
At Clear Smiles Orthodontics, we make sure to take the first step with you to a healthier and more beautiful smile by discovering the right orthodontic treatment for you in the Gold Coast. Book a free consultation with us!
