Tips to Make Flossing Easier with Braces


Some people will find it challenging to floss their teeth. It even becomes trickier when they are wearing metallic braces in NE Calgary. The wires will hinder you from using the traditional method of flossing your teeth. Taking care of your teeth while wearing braces is very crucial since you are more susceptible to tooth decay during treatment. Plaque and debris will accumulate in the area that you can’t clean. You need to be committed to ensuring that your teeth will remain healthy throughout the duration of the orthodontic procedure.

Important Tips from Your Orthodontist in Calgary to Make Flossing with Braces Easier

The goal of flossing is to get in between the narrow spaces of your teeth and under your gumline to eliminate food particles and plaque. For those who have braces, sliding the floss thread in those key places can be difficult due to the wires. Here are some tips designed to make the process a whole lot easier.

Choosing the Right Tools

Using ordinary floss when you have braces will be extra challenging. Luckily there are some tools, which can be recommended by the orthodontist in NE Calgary. Using them also requires less effort. They can be inexpensive solutions and will perfectly fit your dental care plan.

• Floss Threader - It is essential to look for the right floss threader. A single strand will be ineffective in getting around your braces. Look for a threader that comes with a loop at the edge of its stick. When cleaning your teeth using a looped-floss threader, start by inserting its head into that space in between your teeth. However, there are instances when the thread will not fit since the gap will be too constricted. If the space is tight, you should run the loop between the teeth and the wires. Gently push the thread using your finger to access the space between the teeth. After that, pull it back and forth just like ordinary floss.

• Water Flosser - It is also commonly known as an oral irrigator. It helps the patient to easily remove the plaque and bacteria build-up. It will release a water jet to clean the spaces between the teeth and the wires gently. This is a must-have oral care tool if you are wearing your braces near you. It is easier to use this than your regular floss. In addition, you may be able to operate the device using only one hand.

Encouraging Younger Children

You should not expect that kids with braces in NE Calgary have the right dexterity to successfully floss their teeth. It is highly likely that they will need the assistance of an adult to complete the process. Ask the child to take a seat in a properly lit area first. Understand that this process will take a long time. If you have some trouble in keeping your child sitting still, let him or her watch their favorite TV program.

Using Waxed Floss

Using non-waxed floss has a higher probability to get stuck in the braces. When flossing, using waxed floss is a better option. It will easily slip around the wires and in between your teeth—and of course will not be easily caught in the wires.

Keeping up with your dental hygiene is extremely important especially if you are wearing braces. Parents should also play an active role in encouraging their kids to keep their oral system clean. Keep in mind that flossing while wearing your braces in NE Calgary will take twice longer than flossing without them. Nonetheless, it should still be done regularly to prevent the buildup of plaque and bacteria and prevent infection and gingivitis.

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