How to floss with braces: Essential Tips for Clean Teeth & Braces

Flossing With Braces: Essential Tips for Clean Teeth | Old Bridge Orthodontics
Located in Old Bridge, NJ – Call Dr. Leung at 732-607-2488

Flossing is an essential part of maintaining good oral hygiene, but when you have braces, it can become a bit more challenging. Food particles and plaque can easily get trapped in the brackets and wires, leading to cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues. At Old Bridge Orthodontics, Dr. Leung is dedicated to providing you with the best care for your braces. In this article, we'll explore two effective ways to floss with braces: using traditional floss and a water flosser.

Flossing with Traditional Floss
Here’s how to floss with traditional floss while wearing braces:

Step 1: Use a Floss Threader
A floss threader is a small, flexible tool that helps you thread floss through the wire of your braces. You can find floss threaders at most drug stores or pharmacies.

Step 2: Cut 18 Inches of Floss
Cut a piece of floss that’s about 18 inches long to give you enough length to maneuver around the brackets.

Step 3: Thread the Floss Through the Threader
Thread the floss through the threader and gently guide it under the wire of your braces.

Step 4: Glide the Floss Between Your Teeth
Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers. Gently glide it up and down between each tooth, forming a C-shape around each tooth.

Step 5: Repeat for Each Tooth
Repeat the process for every tooth, using a clean section of floss each time.

Flossing with a Water Flosser
A water flosser uses a stream of water to clean between your teeth and around your braces. Here’s how to use a water flosser for braces:

Step 1: Fill the Water Flosser with Warm Water
Fill the reservoir with warm water, ensuring the temperature is comfortable for your gums.

Step 2: Attach the Orthodontic Tip
Use the orthodontic tip specifically designed for braces. This tip is ideal for reaching between the brackets.

Step 3: Adjust the Pressure
Turn the water flosser on and adjust the pressure to your preferred setting.

Step 4: Position the Tip Along Your Gumline
Place the tip of the water flosser at a 90-degree angle to your gumline and start with the back teeth. Move your way around your mouth, cleaning each tooth and bracket.

Step 5: Target the Base of Each Tooth
Aim the water flosser at the base of each tooth and hold it there for a few seconds, moving along the gumline as you go.

Step 6: Spit Out the Water and Debris
Once you’ve finished, spit out the water and debris that’s been dislodged.

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene with Braces
Both flossing methods—traditional flossing and using a water flosser—are highly effective in removing food particles and plaque from between your teeth and around your braces. However, keep in mind that flossing with braces takes more time and effort than flossing without them. To maintain optimal oral health, make sure to floss at least once a day and follow your orthodontist’s advice on care and cleaning.

Contact Dr. Leung at Old Bridge Orthodontics
For personalized orthodontic care and advice, visit Old Bridge Orthodontics at 2101 Rt. 516 Ste. A, Old Bridge, NJ 08857. Dr. Leung and our team are here to ensure that you maintain the best oral health throughout your orthodontic treatment. Call us today at 732-607-2488 to schedule your consultation!

Also caring for surrounding towns: including Sayreville, East Brunswick, South River, Aberdeen, Monroe, Morganville, Spotswood, South Amboy,  Woodbridge, Matawan, Hazlet, Milltown, Jamesburg, Helmetta, Englishtown, Keyport, Union Beach, Holmdel, Middletown, New Jersey 


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