Flossing with braces?!?!?!
Question: I have braces.
I haven't been able to floss in months haha.
I know that's really bad but I can never get the little flossers made for braces to go between my teeth.
There's not enough space to get the little string through.
Anybody have any tips for me?
Answers: I have braces.
I haven't been able to floss in months haha.
I know that's really bad but I can never get the little flossers made for braces to go between my teeth.
There's not enough space to get the little string through.
Anybody have any tips for me?
Yeah, braces can be pretty annoying. I had them for a number of years, and STILL remember the agony of them. I think having good flossing habits is a good idea, even if it is annoying! You don't want to run into problems. After awhile you will get used to flossing, I think. And yes, there is enough space for the floss to get through! Don't be in denial now :)
There's little loop things they sell that help you get the string in between.
I generally just got my orthodontist to do it. Though he always made me bleed.. And it took him ages to get the floss in between my teeth too. I think it's just hard for everyone.
Sting it like you would a needle and thread. Just use regular dental floss (not the flossers) and slide/string it behind your braces and floss normal...it takes a little longer but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.
Wow....
If there is HONESTLY not enough space for the floss to go through, then you may need to have spacers put in. I am sure that you can get the job done with a little practice, though. Keep practicing with the floss-threaders in front of a mirror, and maybe ask your parents or your orthodontist for a little help or advice.
ORAL B SUPER FLOSS works wonders. If you continue to go w/o flossing....by the time yoiu get yoiur braces off yoiur gum tissue will be inflammed (puffy) and you will have to work extra hard w/ yoiur oral hygiene to help the inflammation to go down. If the inflammation does not go down sometimes pts' end up getting the excess gum tissue removed by gingivectomy. You are also putting yoiurself at risk for developing decalcification which is when yoiur tooth enamel becomes soft, porous becasue yoiu never brushed/floss the food off of yoiur teeth. So when yoiu finally get ur braces off u will have gorgeous straight teeth w/ inflammed gum tissue and decalcification everywhere. Another thing......place yoiur hand over yoiur mouth and breath out......that stench you smell is what people smell everytime yoiu talk becasue you are not removing the food effectively from yoiur teeth.
They make a little hand held electronic flosser. You turn it on, and it vibrates to clean.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012RT...
They have cheaper brands, though. I got a mini one at Walmart a few years back.
With or without those flosser things:
Hold the floss pointing up and poke it up through the gap, now both ends are still infront now just flip the lower piece under, its easier than going through the actually tooth gap from the start
well I had braces a couple of years ago you need to floss because if you don't it can stain your teeth
I flossed... here is what i did I would wet one part of the string and loop in under the metal wire and bring it back up at first it is a slow process but once you get the hang of it its much faster
it's harder than you think it looks