Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
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Flossing Tips For Patients With Braces
Eleanor Crawford
Having braces typically complicates a patient's oral healthcare regime by making it more difficult to floss. In fact, flossing is more important than ever for orthodontic patients. Patients with braces are be at greater risk of gingivitis and decalcification of the teeth.
However, braces don't have to detract from one's ability to floss effectively. The following are some useful flossing tips for those who must floss around orthodontic equipment:
- Use a floss threader- A floss threader is a tool that allows you to get floss under dental wire. Once you've gotten a floss threader under your braces, you can floss up to your gums just like you would without braces. Floss threaders can make flossing as effective for orthodontic patients as it is for those without braces.
- Consider a proxy brush- A proxy brush is a tool that can be used for flossing up under orthodontic wire. If you have braces and you find flossing to be too difficult or time consuming with traditional floss, consider using a proxy brush from a place like Alegre Dental and Braces. Proxy brushes look like toothbrushes with little Christmas tree shaped fixtures on the end.
- Buy waxed floss- Waxed floss is known for being more resistant to tears and less likely to leave behind floss shreds. This is especially important when you have sharp orthodontic equipment in the mouth that may be more likely to catch on floss and experience breakage.
- Tear off enough floss- Most dentists and dental care authorities recommend using about 18 inches of floss while flossing. Having sufficient floss is important to adequately cleaning out debris stuck in the teeth during flossing, and it's especially important if you are using a tool such as a floss threader.
- Be patient- There's no getting around it: flossing is going to take a little extra time while you have braces. Obviously, your braces are on obstacle to flossing. However, it's especially important to take the time to floss when you have braces to ensure that your teeth stay healthy.
- Take care to be gentle with wire- It's always important to be gentle when flossing. However, it's especially important when you have braces, because you want to avoid distorting wires that make up your orthodontic equipment and affect how your teeth are being manipulated during orthodontic treatment.
- Work floss in around braces- When you have braces, food doesn't just get stuck in between the teeth. It can also get stuck in areas between braces and the surfaces of your teeth. You can very gently work floss around braces to remove food particles from between braces and teeth enamel.
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