How To

How to Floss With Braces

By Ariana Cherry-shearer, eHow Editor
How to Floss With Braces
Rate: (4 Ratings)

While you are wearing braces, it is very important to keep up good dental hygiene. It may seem harder to try brushing or flossing your teeth with braces, but with a few simple steps you can achieve healthy teeth and gums even while you are wearing braces.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Floss
  • <br>Floss threader
  • <br>Glass of water
  1. Step 1

    Take out floss and a floss threader. Tear off a long piece of floss. Using a floss threader, loop the floss through the loop of the threader.

  2. Step 2

    Take the pointed end of the floss threader and pull it under the archwire of your braces. Pull the threader all the way under the archwire until the floss has been pulled all the way under.

  3. Step 3

    Hold the floss and gently d begin flossing in between your teeth and around the wire. Be careful with the floss, as it can easily break and shred from your braces. While this may take more time to floss with your braces, it will definitely be worth it after your braces have been removed.

  4. Step 4

    Floss under the gum line after your have flossed in between your teeth. This will help prevent any gum disease as well.

  5. Step 5

    Rinse your mouth out with a cup of water once you have finished flossing. Make sure that you floss every day while you wear your braces and even after removal of your braces. Dental hygiene is very important to your overall health.

Tips & Warnings
  • Don't forget to floss the very back of your teeth, too.
  • <br>Be sure to brush at least twice a day when you wear braces.
  • Not flossing your teeth every day can lead to painful gum disease.
Photo Credit

about.com

Comments  

mominnyc said

Flag This Comment

on 12/30/2008 You can buy The Platypus Flosser online at: www.PlatypusCo.com You will be so glad you did.

Flag This Comment

on 11/10/2008 definitely try brytonpick instead! it worked so well for me! www.brytonpick.com

marwell02 said

Flag This Comment

on 6/18/2008 This is a good how to. But there is now a new product that allows you to floss your entire mouth in 1-2 minutes.

The Platypus Flosser is an amazing device!

check it out!

http://www.pdtdental.com/custom.asp?id=20745&page=2

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

eHow Article: How to Floss With Braces

Have you done this? Click here to let us know.

I Did This

Related Ads

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Live Strong Partner
Livestrong_eHow Health