Flossing with Braces

As our doctors at Maiden Lane Dental will tell you, flossing can be difficult when you have traditional metal braces, but it’s more important than ever to keep the gaps in your teeth clean when you have a mouth full of metal. Many folks who have braces don’t know how to floss with them or think that they can’t floss at all if they have braces and this is not true. Therefore, here are some tips for flossing effectively and keeping those brackets and wires clean.

Although flossing with braces is tricky, it’s important to use the right tool. An orthodontic floss threader is a very thin piece of flexible plastic with a large loop at the end. After putting your floss through the loop, you pull the threader up and under the wire. This inexpensive and disposable tool is available in nearly any drugstore. It is indispensable when flossing teeth with braces because it allows you to pull the floss through the teeth above the wire and reach the gum line. Using this tool is an easy way of getting dental floss under your wires. Floss picks are another tool that can make the habit easier. These picks come with a short section of floss held in place by two thin prongs that are often thin enough to fit under the wire.

To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.maidenlanedental.comfor more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.

Brushing and Flossing with Braces

Brushing your teeth is vital to remove cavity-casing plaque and debris. When wearing braces, the brackets create even more areas that the plaque can stick to and hide, so it is extra important to do a great job brushing. At Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we want our patients to have the right knowledge for taking excellent care of their oral health. Read on to learn more about brushing and flossing with braces!

Brushing with braces is pretty easy when it comes to brushing the chewing surfaces of the teeth and even above and below the brackets. There are no special instructions for those areas. Just do be sure to brush the tops and bottoms of the brackets, as that is where plaque can collect. The sides of the brackets, however, will require an interdental cleaner to reach. These brushes are little tree-like tools that help you reach underneath the wires. Use these to brush the sides of the brackets so that you can see the edges of them clearly.

Flossing is also important and should be done once per day regardless of if you are wearing braces. Superfloss or floss threaders are a big help with this part of the job. They allow you to get the floss over and under the wires easily and quickly.

In addition to excellent home care, routine visits to your dentist for examinations and cleanings are important, as well. To schedule your appointment with Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com.