Struggling to Floss with Braces? Here's How to Get the Job Done

For adults and children in active orthodontic treatment, the treatment timeline is all about anticipating their new amazing smile when orthodontic treatment ends. For patients who wear braces to get the smile they always dreamed about, the day their braces come off marks the first day of a new chapter of their life—a life with more smiles and fewer restrictions and rules because of braces.

The journey to that momentous next chapter can seem like an eternity and it is fraught with challenges along the way, especially for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and clean. In this blog, Dr. Duval shares his tips on best practices for flossing while wearing braces.

Raise the bar on your hygiene routine  

If you or someone you know wears braces, you are all too aware that simple oral hygiene tasks like brushing and flossing become a whole new complicated chore. The moment your orthodontist installs your braces, suddenly hundreds of new nooks and crannies emerge, making it much more difficult to keep your teeth clean.

While keeping your teeth clean is always important, making sure your teeth are free of food debris and bacteria that could develop into tooth decay and plaque buildup becomes job one. Fortunately, raising the bar on your hygiene habits can prevent tooth decay and gum disease as you work toward your big reveal when your braces come off.

Floss before brushing

One of the most important elements of any oral hygiene routine is flossing. Flossing accomplishes two important things – it dislodges lingering food debris and clears the way for more effective delivery of toothpaste when brushing.

For many patients, flossing is the most difficult task to develop into a daily routine. It can be messy, awkward and initially confusing on what’s the best technique or product to use. There’s no right answer for every patient, but think convenience. Create your personal plan by flossing at least one time a day before you brush.

Pick a time of day that’s going to be the most convenient for you. Whether you do it while watching television at night or floss first thing in the morning by doing it when it fits seamlessly into your schedule will make it much more likely that it sticks as a habit. 

Experiment with different floss and threaders

What product you use to floss can also add to and take from the experience, adding another factor in how you incorporate it into your schedule. This part is a lot of trial and error. The key here is not to give up if the first couple of times you try a product doesn’t quite work for you.

The good news is that there are tons of flossing products out there. For some people, traditional floss works out great. Another plus for floss is floss containers are portable, making it easier for you to floss wherever you go. There are plenty of flavor options as well as standard or waxed.

For those who prefer to go this route, waxed floss makes it easier to slip through all those new spaces created by your braces. Additional products like threaders can also make navigating tight spaces much more manageable.

Water irrigators can be a handy tool

If you tried traditional floss and you really can’t get the hang of using it or you just don’t like the experience, water irrigators, also called water flossers, could be the answer to buttoning up your oral hygiene routine. Many people find that the water flosser technique is quicker and gets the job done well when navigating braces and dental work, like bridges.

There are a variety of water flossers on the market that vary in design, size, reservoir capacity, and things like pressure settings and nozzle tips. Despite the variations, all water flossers work under the same principle – water becomes the element to dislodge food debris between teeth and clear away plaque at the gum line. 

Again, practice makes perfect. Timing and where you choose to water floss will help you make it a habit. Whether you water floss first thing in the morning, during your shower, or at night before bed, it needs to work for you.

If you’d like to learn more about braces and flossing, ask your orthodontist or hygienist at your next appointment. If you’re ready to capture your best smile, schedule an appointment at Duval Orthodontics. Book your visit today by calling our office in Warner Robins or Albany, Georgia, or using the online scheduling feature.