Flossing+Braces?
Question:
Anyway, I find it really hard to floss. Like the floss won't fit between my teeth because the space is so tight. And when I do get the floss in there, I have to pull really hard to get it out, and I'm afraid one of the wires will break or something. Does flossing get easier after a while? And is it okay if I wait awhile so my teeth won't be so tight to floss?
Right now I'm brushing after each meal with one of those automatic toothbrushes, and using mouthwash (ACT), and using that pipe cleaner lookin thing (don't know what its called) to help get the extra stuff out from behind the wires. I also don't drink any soda or dark drinks. Is this good enough for now until I'm able to floss?
Answers:
wow. you're doing really well. i have braces, and i brush my teeth about 5 times a day hahah but that's it. i gave up on flossing a longgg time ago. yes it does get easier though. it just seems like the wire could break because you're teeth are kinda loose and it feels like things are moving that aren't. but yeah, your wire won't break. and even if it does it takes only a couple minutes to fix, and its pretty normal. i have something broken just about everytime i go in. they even ask "anything loose or broken today?" hahaha but you're taking reallly good care of them so far, stick with it and you'll have beautiful teeth. make sure you do keep brushing and such though because if you don't...well..when you get your braces off you'll have white spots on your teeth from where the brackets were. hope i helped =]
Hello,
As a dentist, my recommendation is to look at products that help patients with braces to floss. One of them is called a "Floss Threader" that helps work around braces.
Another product that may also help is called the Waterpik. I would be careful to make sure you use the Waterpik correctly as it can be ineffective without the right technique.
Hope this helps.
Dr. Hema
www.townsquaredentist.com
you should talk to your dentist, that's not supposed to happen.
I've had my braces for a year now...and that is perfectly normal. I noticed that after i got my braces tightened [[ or for you getting them put on ]] my teeth would be feel like they were very tight together...and it would be hard to floss...after about three days though..i could floss again. it's really important to floss...so remember too once you can. Don't worry...you normally won't break a wire...but you can break a bracket [[ soo b careful and don't chew on ice like i did...oops ]] I floss and mouthwash once a day and brush twice a day.soo i think that your doing fine...and you're on your way to a better smile!! =]] hope i helped
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