How do I floss with tightly packed teeth?

Question

I understand the concept of flossing, but have trouble doing it.
I tried using floss string, and could not force it through the gaps between my teeth as it felt like I was pulling my teeth apart.
I tried interdental brushes, but they were even worse, even with the thinnest brush, it would not get through the gap.

Now, since my teeth are so closely joined, does this mean bacteria cannot get to my gums?

I use mouthwash, and after gargling with it and swishing the stuff around my mouth, when I spit it out, I see nothing. Whereas other people have lots of "bits" when they do it.

I only worrying about flossing (which I have never actually tried), because although I brush regularly, have healthy teeth and have never had any dental work done, my teeth has a horrible yellowish tint, which the dentist says is normal, but people with worse teeth than me, have whiter teeth.

I read we have small cracks in the teeth which bacteria use to enter teeth and make them yellow. Is this true

Answer 1

I am a dental hygienist, and I cannot stress how important it is to floss in between your teeth. If your teeth are really tight, you can still floss and it is very important. Go to Walmart and buy Crest Glide floss in the silver or teal container. My husband has tight teeth and he flosses with that. Bacteria and even small food pieces are in between your teeth right now, causing tissue destruction and gingivitis. Bacteria can get to your gums no matter how tight your teeth are. Wrap the floss (about 18 in.) around your middle fingers and slowly edge the floss through the tooth contact. Make sure you floss on both sides of the gum, or you will still have bacteria and debris against the side of your teeth. Note: You will probably bleed some the first several times you floss, and this is normal until you regularly floss. The question about the cracks in your teeth and bacteria making them yellow is false. You might have thin enamel, and the part of your teeth under your enamel is yellower, and could be showing through. Try a tooth whitening system. But please....start flossing!

Answer 2

I have the exact same problem. I went to the dentist this morning and said my teeth were perfect but to floss my bottom front teeth. I told him I cannot fit tepes or floss there as they are so tight and he just looked at me as if he had no idea what I was talking about and I left. I am in England so I don't have a walmart but at my local supermarket I have found a home brand floss which is really cheap, I have found that if you get the smallest one you can find it should help, especially if you don't have any plaque build up. Go and have your teeth cleaned by a hygeniest or dentist first and then try the thinnest floss you can find. This is what I am going to do and i'm hoping it works! If you found anything that works for you let me know

Answer 3

They make special dental floss for crowded teeth.

Try Dentotape or Glide floss.

Have you had a dental cleaning, exam, and X-rays to check for cavitites? My orthodontist said it's bad for teeth to be crowded together because it traps bacteria between teeth.

It's normal for teeth to get a bit yellow over time. You can buy Crest Whitestips or whitening mouthwash, or swish some hydrogen peroxide around in your mouth before you brush.

Hydrogen peroxide is the exact same ingredient used in the whitestrips and also in the whitening agent at the dentist office. It's just a matter of the dentist using a higher concentration of it.

If ya swish regularly though for at least 1 minute twice a day, you'll see improvement.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do I floss with tightly packed teeth?
I understand the concept of flossing, but have trouble doing it.
I tried using floss string, and could not force it through the gaps between my teeth as it felt like I was pulling my teeth apart.
I tried interdental brushes, but they were even worse, even with the thinnest brush, it would not get...

Answer 5

I've got really close teeth too I use Crest Glide floss and it works great. You need to floss tho. It's soo important to the health of your gums. Mouthwash doesn't work like floss does. Good Luck

Answer 6

same problem. i've given up on flossing but u could ask a dentist about it. im not sure if its true about the last thing but ive never been able to floss and my teeth are very white. all i do is brush them gentily in circles for 2 min 3 times a day and im fine. i think everyones teeth are just different.

Answer 7

if there is no gap between your teeth to get that tiny bit of floss thru, then i doubt you will get any build up of plaque there either. make sure you brush well and keep up the mouthwash and that should be enough. try a tooth whitening toothpaste - but be aware that some people do just have naturally off-white coloured teeth, altho caffeine and smoking can encourage the yellowish look of teeth

don't try flossing if it hurts, it isn't supposed to hurt so you could be damaging teeth or gums

Answer 8

The Glide Floss was what was recommended for me as well. I guess it is lined with Teflon so it won't shred apart which was my problem.

Answer 9

Use mouthwash? My gums bleed easily so I don't use floss... Mouthwash has always worked super good for me. :)