Flossing with Braces – Using braces makes you have to be more diligent in cleaning your teeth. In fact, braces users do not clean their teeth with just a toothbrush. Yes, maybe you feel that your teeth are getting harder after using braces.
Keeping teeth and mouth clean is important. Toothbrush alone is actually not enough to brush between teeth, even braces users really need dental floss to keep teeth and gums clean. This dental floss is commonly known as Dental Floss. Flossing between your teeth can be difficult, especially when you have braces on.
Many studies have found that people who are not used to flossing tend to experience mouth inflammation more often than people who regularly clean their teeth with dental floss.
You shouldn’t skip flossing, even if it takes more time with your braces. This flossing technique can make the process faster and easier. Whatever method you choose, it’s important to floss regularly. This prevents gum disease and tooth decay while braces work to align your teeth for a more confident smile.
Also Read Teeth Whitening Facts and Benefits That Should You Know
Why is flossing important for braces users?
You may often think that brushing your teeth is enough. Then you feel no need to use dental floss (flossing) to keep your teeth clean. In fact, if you use braces, it is recommended to use dental floss and a special toothbrush for braces.
It is very important to use dental floss at least once a day. Doing flossing does take longer than just brushing your teeth.
Even if you wear braces, you are no less susceptible to dental and oral problems. The reason is, the use of a stirrup toothbrush is not able to reach the entire area of the teeth to the deepest sidelines.
Especially if you do not brush your teeth properly. Food debris stuck between the braces will continue to accumulate and trigger the growth of bacteria. The role of dental floss (special stirrup toothbrush) is able to clean dirt hidden between the teeth and difficult to reach by a toothbrush.
There’s no better way to clean your teeth than with this dental floss. Mouthwash can not replace the role of dental floss, because they work in different ways.
Here’s why you should take care to floss daily with braces:
- Prevents swollen and bleeding gums.
- Reduces the chances of tooth decay, gum disease, and the formation of white spots around brackets.
- Keeps your teeth and gums healthy and ready to face the world when your braces are removed.
How to flossing with braces?
The risk of plaque and dirt building up is easier when using braces than not. Plaque that forms in the mouth, can produce acid that makes teeth easily eroded, cavities, and makes the gums inflamed.
It is recommended that you clean your teeth for about 10-15 minutes every day. It can be started from the process of brushing your teeth to using dental floss.
The process must also be done in the right way so that the results are maximum in maintaining dental and oral health. Flossing technique is very important to clean food and plaque between teeth.
- Take a piece of dental floss, then cut it to a length of about 40-45 cm.
- Thread the floss between the wire and your teeth. It is recommended to use this dental floss in front of a mirror. So you can see exactly where the dental floss is inserted.
- Hook the end of the dental floss on your index finger
- Put the dental floss behind the braces, and tuck it in between the teeth. Slide the thread up and down. Make sure you move the floss between the one and the other teeth, and between the gums and the teeth.
- Then gently remove the thread from behind the wire. Don’t pull it right away.
- Move to your other teeth. Do not pull the stirrup with thread. See where the floss you’ve tucked in, then press and slide to clean your teeth.
- You must move the floss on each side of the teeth. This is so that everything is free from dirt that cannot be reached by ordinary toothbrushes in general.
- After removing the dental floss, you can rinse your mouth to rinse the teeth that have been cleaned.
Tips for flossing with your braces
In addition to regular flossing, this best practice is a great way to help you keep your pearl whites shining bright.
1. You can schedule regular cleaning
In addition to cleaning your teeth at home, it is also important for you to regularly check your teeth with the dentist. Not only to ensure dental and oral health, you also have to regularly replace the rubber on the braces while cleaning your teeth.
2. You should not use whitening toothpaste
If you are thinking of keeping your teeth bright white by brushing your teeth with whitening toothpaste. But this can cause problems later on.
Whitening products cannot go under brackets, so only exposed areas of the tooth will be whitened. After the bracket is removed, you may have white areas on each tooth.
3. Brushing teeth the right way
For brace users, there are special stirrup toothbrushes and electric toothbrushes that can be used to clean teeth. Make sure you choose a soft-bristled toothbrush so that the layers of your teeth and gums don’t hurt easily.
In addition to choosing a special stirrup toothbrush, you also need to master the movement of brushing your teeth properly and correctly.
4. You can reduce the consumption of sugary, textured, and sticky foods
While wearing braces, you should avoid eating sugary foods, because they can trigger the appearance of plaque and tooth decay. With braces, you will find it increasingly difficult to remove plaque and food debris.
In addition to sweet foods, also reduce the intake of foods that have a sticky or hard texture. The goal is that there are no sticky food remnants stuck between the teeth
References
- https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-floss-with-braces#tips-and-tricks
- https://www.honestdocs.id/benang-gigi-bagi-pengguna-behel
- https://fdcdentalclinic.co.id/pentingnya-benang-gigi-untuk-si-pemakai-behel-fdc-dental-clinic
- https://hellosehat.com/gigi-mulut/perawatan-oral/benang-gigi-bagi-pengguna-behel/
- https://www.perfectteeth.com/blog/how-to-floss-with-braces/
