How do people w/ braces floss??

Question

all i know is that its hard....

Answer 1

Oral hygiene while wearing braces:

1. A floss threader like this one from Gum Butler http://www.dentist.net/images/840-floss-threader.jpg is helpful. Tie the floss to the round end and pass it between your teeth.
2. A Proxabrush like this one from Gum Butler http://www.dentist.net/images/butler-gum-1612.jpg is extremely helpful. Use it to clean between teeth and around your braces.
3. A Water Pik http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000063SLQ.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg is also very helpful. You can also buy a less expensive, smaller model like this one for about $30-$40: http://www.waterpik.com/oral-health-products/cordless-dental-water-jet/WP-360/. Expensive? Yes. But how much are your braces costing?

I had braces at age 42. I used all of the above. They can all be purchased at a pharmacy or even at Wal-Mart.

Answer 2

well, i had braces and i recently got them off and to tellyou the truth, i only flossed for the first week or so. It reallydoesn't make a difference, weather you do or not, just make sure that you brush your gums good!!!!

But, if you want to use the floss, you take the floss, and put it under the wire. Then you just floss normally, like you wouldw/o braces. It's kindof hard to explain, but they have special products to help make it easier, and if u are still interested, ask your orthiodonist to show you how. I hope that I could help!!!

Answer 3

I currently have braces, and flossing I'll tell you right now takes atleast 15 minutes to do it properly. Your orthodontist should give you these little things called 'threaders'
pic -http://www.delmarvadentalservices.com/Images/superfloss_threader_2.jpg
it's the little blue thing. What you do is put a piece of floss through the threader and slide it under the wire, then you just floss like you normally would.

Answer 4

okay, so im a dentist and i notice that people are answering with the waterpik...in 1998 or so we found out that the waterpik does not work...thats why we dont ever recomend them anymore...it doesn't get rid of plaque and it causes the gums to become sensative and makes you at higher risk for gum disease...you should use a bridge floss threader, very common, found at basically every store...looks like this...
http://www.walnutridgedental.com/y_floss1d.jpg


okay to add some more...i noticed someone wrote that the flossing doesn't matter. well it does, dont listen to that. when you have braces it is the time when you have to floss the most, because food and bacteria and plaque trap itself in the gums under the braces...

Answer 5

A Waterpik is usually a good tool for getting between teeth. It is difficult and definitely takes longer to floss with braces. You can buy floss threaders that help you get under the wires.

Answer 6

I also have braces, to floss with braces you have to take the string of floss and put it under your wire. Then pull it out from the other side, so that way the floss will be above the braces. Your orthedontest or dentist should give you floss strings to help you. Next visit you should ask for some! They are called floss threaders! Hope that helps!

Answer 7

You use this certain kind of floss, usually with a hard end so that it's easy to stick it between the wires and floss. Simple as that. Ask your orthodontist. Good luck.

Answer 8

i currently have braces, and it is not hard to floss. you get this plastic looped thing and you feed the floss through it.then you feed the bottom through the brace wire and floss. it's not nearly as hard as it sounds.

Answer 9

Floss Threaders.......They're used for braces and for people w/ bridges. Your orthodontist should give them to you and show you how to use them.

Answer 10

Try using OralB Superfloss.