What’s the Best Flosser for Braces?
Long Beach, CA – Taking proper care of your smile is always important, but never more so than while you are in orthodontic treatment. Keeping your teeth healthy is crucial to the success of your treatment as well as your final aesthetic outcome. Your teeth will be beautifully straight when you’re done, but if your hygiene is poor throughout treatment, you may be left with white spots (decalcification) on your teeth. It’s important to brush a minimum of twice a day and floss at least once. We know that flossing properly can be tricky when you’re in braces, but luckily there are tools that can help.
Flossing can be challenging while in braces because of the difficulty of maneuvering around the brackets and wires. These can make it more difficult to properly access the teeth. Your orthodontic office will offer tips for how to properly brush and floss during treatment, and should give you some tips on tools to assist with flossing.
Best flossing tools for braces:
Floss threader – You can still use regular dental floss while in braces, but you will need to use a floss threader to help get under the wire. These are special tools designed to help you get around those brackets and wires. Floss threaders are simple to use – just thread the floss through the threader, place the threader under the wire, and floss between the teeth. Repeat this process between each tooth.
Super Floss – Super Floss is a piece of regular floss, with a twist. One end of the floss has a stiff piece of plastic that makes it easy to insert under the wire to floss between your teeth. This process is quicker than using a floss threader. Super Floss also has a section of “spongy floss” along its length. The spongy floss is positioned between the plastic piece and regular floss, and helps you clean further along the gumline and around the brackets and wires to pick up any excess plaque.
Orthodontic flosser (otherwise known as the Platypus flosser)– A platypus flosser is regular dental floss attached to a handle. You can place the flat plastic part of the flosser under the wire and then floss in between the teeth. This option is very helpful for patients with less dexterity, particularly adolescents, and can be less time consuming.
Water Flosser – A water flosser, such as the Waterpik, uses pressurized water to clean between your teeth and around your braces. It can effectively remove plaque build-up and food debris. Many orthodontists recommend water flossers as the best flosser for patients in braces because they are easy and comfortable to use, and are very thorough when used properly.
When it comes to which is the best flossing tool, that may boil down to personal preference. Some patients prefer regular dental floss over fancier options. The option that is best for you is the one that you will use consistently. If you are having difficulty flossing properly while in braces, ask your orthodontist for tips to help.
Taking care of your smile while in braces will ensure your teeth are strong and healthy when your braces are removed so you can enjoy your new smile.