Braces and Flossing

Braces and flossing

4/17/2017

Many of our patients who have braces are not fans of the maintenance. Those of us in the dental field consistently tout the importance of flossing. Flossing is important to remove the food, debris and bacteria growing between our teeth and around our gums. The lack of flossing leads to the development of cavities between our teeth, gingivitis (gum infection) and periodontitis. Periodontitis can lead to loss of the bone that holds your teeth in place leading to tooth loss. :( So what do we do if we want to protect our gums and teeth and dread the daily chore of flossing? Luckily there are a variety of products available online and in stores that can expedite the process and make it easier on the rest of us.

Handheld orthodontic flossers

These handheld orthodontic flossers have a smaller tip that may fit in between teeth. Eliminating the need to thread the floss through and simplifying cleaning.

Interdental brushes

These brushes can fit into tighter spaces and do a good job of removing plaque and food between teeth and around braces.

Waterflosser

This is great if there are multiple family members in braces or need a waterflosser to help clean around implants and bridges. The unit is more pricey, but each family member can get their own tip and make use of this great cleaning tool.

3 Comments

Cameron link

12/24/2020 06:40:40 am

Veery thoughtful blog

Taft Hill Orthodontics link

12/14/2021 10:04:47 pm

Thank you for this educational blog post! Braces are brackets made of metal or plastic that are attached to the teeth on either side of the gap to help them align. Braces are used to straighten the teeth in a healthy and comfortable way. Braces are commonly used to correct bite problems in children, adult teeth straightening, and trauma-induced tooth shape changes.

Adult braces are a sort of cosmetic dentistry that straightens teeth while also improving their look. There are numerous alternatives that can be customized to fit any budget. An orthodontist can explore these possibilities with you. A consultation is the most efficient approach to determine whether braces are correct for you.

Carmel Dental Care link

11/23/2022 08:54:11 pm

Flossing and braces may seem like a pain, but they are essential for keeping your teeth healthy. Braces help toalign your teeth and make it easier to floss properly. Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from in between your teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach. It is important to floss at least once a day, and more if you have braces.