Flossing troubles - braces and gum disease(professionals please help!)?

Question

Ok, well I'm 15 years old and have braces. I just got back from the dentist yesterday, and I'm beginning to get gingivitis and my tartar is terrible, I guess it's because when I got my braces, I stopped flossing regularly because of the hassle. Well after getting told off by my dentist and my ortho in the same day, I've decided to floss more often, lol! But because my gums have swollen from the disease, I'm having a harder time than ever threading the floss through my lower braces! Is there any way that I can make it easier to floss and clean my teeth and gums? Should I use a water pick instead? do they clean as well? How can I help reduce the infection in my gums? That's what I'm more worried about than anything, how can I clean this stuff out of my mouth? Is there any way other than professional help to clean thoroughly under my gum line? Please help! I'm desperate, if I don't get better in 6 weeks, my braces are going to get taken off! =(

Answer 1

I highly recommend oral irrigators such as the Waterpik or Panasonic "dentalbeats". They come in portable and non-portable forms. The portable forms don't hold as much water as the non-portable ones...a minor inconvenience.
My sequence is:
1) Floss
2) Antiseptic Rinse
3) Brush (sonicare)
4) Oral Irrigator

I do it in this order because flossing and brushing will sometimes jam food farther into the gums...the irrigator will flush it all out. I also like to use the irrigator last because it shows me everything that the flossing and burshing misses...it's a very satisfying feeling. If you add an oral irrigator into your nightly routine, you will have the healthiest gums among your peers.

Answer 2

Other then using a threader there is no easy way to floss, however you should really be asking your dentist for a bottle of perio check rinse, this rinse has fluoride in it as well as some other things that will help reduce the bacteria under the gum line. Make sure that if you have pop that you eat some fatty foods to coat your teeth and drink the pop in that one setting then brush right away, the fat will coat your teeth and give something for the acid in the pop to attach other then the enamel on your teeth. Also try an electric toothbrush they do wonders if used correctly. Remember that it is never how hard you brush but how through you brush, and no matter how bad your teeth are tender do not stop flossing! This is very important. Also check with your dentist to make sure you are flossing correctly, that can make a difference. Good luck.

Answer 3

Do not stop flossing. If you floss every day, you should start to see an improvement with the gums and bleeding within 2 weeks. Did you have your teeth cleaned recently by the dentist or hygienist? You need take the time in cleaning your teeth carefully and effectively esp now that you have braces on your teeth. It is not easy but is not impossible either. They have all kinds of tools out there to help and make it easier, proxybrushes work great- but because your gums are inflammed, might not be the best for right now. Eat healthy, avoid sweets & tonic. Make sure you see your reg. dentist for cleanings every 6 months. If you do not have fluoride in your water or you only drink bottled water then it might be a good idea to rinse with a over the counter fluoride mouth rinse like Act. Ask you dentist about the use of Prescription mouth rinse that has chlorhexidine in it (like Periogard).....this helps to kill bacteria, but does not replace brushing and flossing. If he does give you this rinse see if it is ok to use a fluoride rinse too. I am not sure that the chlohexidine rinse has fluoride in it. Hope this is not too confusing to you

Answer 4

As someone who wore braces for about 4 years, I can safely tell you that my gums didn't bleed from having braces put on. You're gums are bleeding because you aren't flossing enough, and they've become infected. In a strange way, it's actually good that they're bleeding. It's getting the infection out of your mouth, and even though it may seem scary to have your mouth bleed, you need to keep flossing. After you floss over time, your gums won't bleed anymore.

Answer 5

wow. well you can try a water pik. they do get the nasty stuff out of your teeth. but i don't really think there is a way to make it hurt less. i had braces for 2 years and i RARELY flossed. whenever i ate something and i knew soemthing got in my teeth i flossed but im not sure why your teeth did that and mine didnt. i think you should definetly go talk to a professional to see if there is any way your teeth can get better. make sure you have a soft tooth brush though.

hope everything gets better.
:]

Answer 6

http://www.waterpik.com/products/SpecDisplay.do?prdNbr=1258

This is a waterpik that you take into the shower with you. It will massage your gums and flush out all the debris around your brackets and under the gums. It may sting a bit until your gums have an opportunity to heal so persevere. There is also an item called a Waterpik Flosser that you might like too.

Answer 7

water pik helps but doesnt replace flossing. Buy floss threaders or floss that have built in threaders.