Using dental floss correctly when wearing braces is crucial for cleaning interdental spaces, reducing tartar, preventing tooth decay, and avoiding bad breath. The following guide will help you easily perform it at home, combined with a water flosser or mouthwash to enhance cleaning effectiveness.
Instructions on How to Floss Correctly When Wearing Braces
Dental floss helps to deeply penetrate interdental spaces and clean areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. Using it correctly helps reduce tartar when wearing braces, lowers the risk of tooth decay, and keeps breath fresh. It can be combined with mouthwash or a water flosser to increase cleaning effectiveness.
Step 1: Prepare suitable dental floss
Choose dental floss with a pre-stiffened end or floss with a handle designed for people with braces. Avoid using types that are too soft, easily break, or can damage the gums. The market price for dental floss ranges from approximately 20,000 – 80,000 VND/box, depending on the type.
Step 2: Wash hands thoroughly before flossing
Washing hands before touching your mouth is a basic step to prevent infection. This should not be skipped.
Step 3: Cut a piece of floss about 30-40cm long
Wrap both ends around your middle fingers. Hold the floss with your thumbs and index fingers to control direction and force.
Step 4: Use a floss threader if braces obstruct
Thread the floss through a threader, then gently guide it under the archwire and between the teeth.
Step 5: Clean each interdental space
Gently move the floss up and down along the side surface of each tooth. Do not pull horizontally with force, as this can damage the gums or dislodge the brackets.
Step 6: Repeat for each interdental space
Use a fresh section of floss or move to a clean part of the floss when moving to the next tooth.
Step 7: Rinse your mouth with clean water or saline solution after cleaning
This helps remove any plaque that has been dislodged but remains in the mouth.
Why is it necessary to floss when wearing braces?
Using dental floss correctly 1–2 times daily, especially after meals, helps prevent tartar and maintain fresh breath. Thorough cleaning is essential to protect the orthodontic treatment outcome and avoid unwanted complications.
When you are wearing braces, not only the brackets but also the elastic bands and archwires create ideal spots for food debris and bacteria to accumulate. This is why people with braces need to clean their teeth more thoroughly than those without. If you only brush, you cannot completely clean the interdental spaces or the inner surface of the archwire. Inadequate cleaning over time leads to tartar formation, bad breath, and serious gum problems.
Dental floss helps penetrate deep between teeth, cleaning plaque that a toothbrush cannot reach. Especially with flossers with handles or stiff-ended floss, you can easily guide the floss through the orthodontic archwire without dislodging the brackets. This tool is safe for your orthodontic system if used correctly.
Types of Dental Floss Suitable for People with Braces
Regular Dental Floss (Spool Floss)
This is a common and affordable type (approximately 20,000 – 50,000 VND/box), soft, elastic, and available from many brands. However, people with fixed braces will find it difficult to thread the floss into the interdental spaces due to obstruction from the archwire. To use it correctly, you need the skill to thread the floss through the archwire or use an additional floss threader.
Correct usage:
- Cut a piece of floss about 40cm long, thread it through a floss threader.
- Gently guide it into the interdental space under the archwire.
- Clean each tooth from the inside out.
Floss with a Handle (Floss Pick)
This is a convenient option for those with less flossing skill, making it easier to use and saving time. This type has the floss pre-attached to a compact handle, suitable for busy individuals. Some products also have a pointed end to help reach deeper into hard-to-access interdental spaces. However, the disadvantage is that it can be difficult to thread through the archwire if the brackets are too tight.
Correct usage:
- Gently insert the floss into the interdental space.
- Use gentle pressure, avoiding strong contact between the handle tip and the brackets.
- Wash hands thoroughly and use a new one each time.
It is advisable to choose a type specifically designed for people with braces to avoid affecting the archwire structure.
Specialized Orthodontic Floss
This type is specifically designed for people undergoing orthodontic treatment. One end of the floss is stiff, making it easy to thread under the archwire, and the middle section is thicker to help clean interdental spaces more thoroughly. Prices range from 60,000 – 80,000 VND/box.
Advantages:
- Suitable for teeth undergoing orthodontic treatment
- No additional floss threader needed
- Ensures convenience, reduces gum damage
How to use:
- Hold the stiff end, gently thread it under the archwire.
- Insert the middle part into the interdental space, moving it in a C-shape.
- Repeat for each tooth, do not reuse old floss.
Floss Threader
This is not dental floss itself, but it is a necessary aid if you choose to use regular floss. Similar to a sewing needle, a threader helps to quickly guide floss under the archwire. Prices range from approximately 10,000 – 20,000 VND/pack, used in conjunction with spool dental floss.
How to use:
- Thread dental floss through the eye of the threader.
- Guide the threader’s end through the archwire, pulling the floss along.
- Clean each interdental space as usual.
Comparing Dental Floss and Water Flossers During Braces Treatment
This table thoroughly compares the differences between dental floss and water flossers, from cleaning effectiveness to convenience, to help you choose the most suitable method for your braces.
Comparison Table between Dental Floss and Water Flossers
| User Group | Suitable for Dental Floss | Suitable for Water Flosser |
|---|---|---|
| People with good flossing skills | ✅ | ✅ |
| New braces wearers, prone to injury | ❌ | ✅ |
| Children, elderly people | ❌ | ✅ |
| People with tight interdental spaces | ✅ | ❌ |
| People with many impacted wisdom teeth | ✅ | ✅ |
Cleaning Effectiveness
- Dental floss: Can directly contact and remove plaque between two teeth. When used correctly, dental floss helps clean each interdental space, where bacteria easily accumulate. However, users must know how to thread floss through the archwire, especially with fixed braces. Floss with a stiff end or a handle will be easier to manipulate.
- Water flosser: Uses a gentle stream of water pressure to dislodge food debris from interdental spaces and around brackets. No complex technique is needed, making it easy for daily use. However, its ability to clean plaque is not as high as dental floss if used alone. It is best to combine both methods for optimal results.
Safety and Impact on Brackets
- If dental floss is used incorrectly, it can tear the gums or put pressure on the archwire, leading to dislodged brackets. Especially, if not careful when threading the floss, the risk of gum injury is very high, especially when using floss that is too stiff or flossing in a hurry.
- Water flossers are safer for users who are not yet accustomed to using dental floss. The gentle water stream does not directly impact the orthodontic appliance system, helping to reduce the risk of damage to brackets and archwires.
Convenience and Ease of Use
- Dental floss requires time and patience, especially for those who lack the skill to thread it. However, assistive devices like floss threaders or stiff-ended floss can speed up the process.
- A water flosser only takes a few minutes to use daily. As an electrical device, it is suitable for busy people. However, the device needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent bacterial buildup.
Cost and Reusability
- Dental floss is cheaper, costing around 20,000 – 80,000 VND/box, but it is for single use. This is a reasonable option for students.
- Water flossers have a higher initial investment cost (from 500,000 – 2,000,000 VND), but can be used long-term. This cost is reasonable if you are committed to thorough oral care and regular use.
Notes on Oral Hygiene to Avoid Damaging Brackets
Always clean your teeth immediately after eating
When wearing braces, food easily gets stuck between the archwire and brackets. After each meal, you need to rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean water. Then, use an interdental brush or a soft toothbrush to brush the tooth surfaces from top to bottom, vertically. This is a basic step in the oral care routine for braces, helping to prevent plaque formation.
Use the Correct Type of Dental Floss and Flossing Technique
Choose dental floss with a handle or floss with a pre-stiffened end (threader). This type helps you easily guide the floss through the tooth gaps without damaging your gums or brackets. The motion should be slow and gentle, threading the floss through the orthodontic archwire and then into the interdental space. Then gently pull it left and right to remove plaque.
Do not pull the floss up and down too forcefully, as this can easily cause gum damage or dislodge brackets. Flossing 1–2 times/day, ideally after dinner, is best. This is an effective method to reduce tartar buildup when wearing braces.
Combine with Supporting Devices such as Water Flossers and Interdental Brushes
A water flosser is an effective tool for assisting in cleaning interdental spaces. The water jet has just enough pressure to dislodge food debris from narrow gaps. It is recommended to use a water flosser first, and then dental floss for a more thorough cleaning in areas where the archwire is an obstruction. Interdental brushes should also be used for molar areas, which are hard to reach.
Use Dental Gel and Antibacterial Mouthwash
You can combine dental gel to gently clean bracket surfaces, preventing bacterial growth. Alcohol-free mouthwash should also be used daily to enhance deep cleaning. Avoid rinsing too vigorously if the braces have just been installed.
Avoid Common Mistakes When Cleaning Teeth with Braces
- Do not use traditional toothpicks, as they can misalign the archwire or loosen brackets.
- Do not use dental floss that is too stiff or pull too hard.
- Do not neglect cleaning the gumline and tooth necks – areas where tartar easily accumulates.
- Do not just clean in the morning and forget about the evening. Bacteria will accumulate overnight, affecting your orthodontic appliances.
These mistakes reduce the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment, potentially requiring re-installation of brackets and increasing treatment costs.
Regular Dental Check-ups and Close Monitoring of Bracket Condition
Regular check-ups every 1–2 months help the orthodontist assess the stability of your appliance and the cleanliness of your teeth. You should also inform your doctor if you experience bleeding, pain, or swollen gums so that your care routine can be adjusted promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flossing with Braces
Below are detailed answers to the most common questions related to using dental floss with orthodontic braces.
Can you floss with braces?
People with braces not only can but should floss daily. This is an essential step in the oral hygiene toolkit, equivalent to interdental brushes, orthodontic wax, and dental gel.
Dental floss helps remove plaque, prevent tartar buildup with braces, and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum inflammation. For those with braces, it is advisable to choose floss with a handle or pre-stiffened floss to easily guide it through the archwire without requiring advanced flossing skills.
Does flossing dislodge brackets?
The answer is: if used correctly, dental floss will not harm your brackets at all. On the contrary, if used incorrectly – for example, jerking the floss forcefully, pulling it horizontally across the archwire, or using overly stiff floss – it can negatively impact your orthodontic appliance system.
Additionally, you can combine a water flosser or an interdental brush if you find flossing too difficult or time-consuming. But absolutely do not skip the interdental cleaning step, as poor hygiene is a leading cause of dislodged brackets due to gum inflammation or enamel damage.
How many times a day is enough?
According to advice from orthodontists, people wearing braces should floss at least once a day, preferably in the evening after eating and before going to bed. If you eat sticky or sugary foods, you should floss again at lunchtime.
If you experience discomfort or slight bleeding in the early stages, it is normal as your gums are not yet accustomed. However, if the condition persists, you should consult your dentist to adjust your technique or switch to a softer, more elastic type of floss.
