Should You Floss With Braces?

Posted on August 14, 2023

As many children are growing and gearing up to visit their dentist for their routine cleaning, they may get told that it’s time for braces. Metal braces for teeth work to straighten your teeth for the perfect, healthy smile. Many people, however, often wonder if you should floss with braces. The short answer is yes, you should!

Just like without braces, brushing and flossing works to remove as much bacteria from the teeth as possible. With braces, you’d be amazed at how many food particles get trapped in the brackets, resulting in more plaque. We’re proud to serve as your trusted source for getting braces and keeping your teeth clean and healthy. Our guide below offers tips for flossing your braces so your teeth are nice and clean.

Tips for Flossing With Braces

According to the National Institutes of Health, 32% of adults didn’t floss in the past week. No matter what age you are, this poses a problem. To help get you back into the habit of flossing, we have your steps for flossing with braces.

• Brush your teeth like normal to remove any plaque and food particles. Be sure to floss all surfaces, like the outer, inner, and flat surfaces of the top and bottom.
• Use about 20cm of floss and wrap the ends around your index fingers. This gives you a tight grip while flossing.
• Line up the floss between your teeth and the thread between the teeth and braces.
• Floss to remove any plaque build-up and food particles.
• Continue the process until you’ve flossed each tooth

Is Flossing With Braces Important?

Yes, it is! With metal braces for teeth, there are more areas for food particles to get trapped. When this happens, it attracts bacteria, which can cause significant problems in the future. The only way to remove plaque and prevent bacteria is through brushing and flossing.

What About My Gums?

Gum health is vital, and flossing could be harmful when you’re not consistent with it. Floss the gum line, but do so carefully. Flossing too hard could result in bruising. Work gently by flossing around the base of the tooth so you can get into the pocket without any damage.

Our expert team of Orthodontists have the knowledge and experience to keep your teeth and gums healthy and clean. Visit us today for a consultation about braces or if you have any questions. We look forward to helping you!