How to Properly Floss Dental Bridges or Braces

How to Floss with Dental Bridges or Braces

If you’ve been to the dentist, you were probably asked how often you floss. Flossing is one of the best ways to strengthen your gums and prevent plaque buildup and gum disease. However, flossing can be difficult for patients with fixed bridges or braces. These dental appliances can make reaching your gums and the area between your teeth harder, leading to numerous oral health issues. At Family Dental Care, we’re here to help our St. Charles & Glen Ellyn, IL area patients learn how to floss with dental bridges and braces. Learn more about the techniques to help keep your gums and teeth healthy.

Dentist implementing braces in the St. Charles & Glen Ellyn, IL

Can You Floss with a Dental Bridge or Braces?

Yes. While dental appliances such as fixed bridges and braces don’t cause cavities, they can make cleaning your teeth more difficult, leading to an increased risk of oral health issues, such as cavities and gum disease. Fixed dental work poses numerous unique challenges, such as reaching the gums to eliminate plaque and bacteria. So, it’s crucial that patients with braces or fixed dental bridges follow an appropriate oral health care routine to keep their teeth healthy and clean. Luckily, numerous dental innovations are designed to make the process easier and more efficient. Read more about how to floss properly with permanent dental work.

How to Floss with Dental Bridges

Fixed bridges are a popular dental appliance because they offer patients superior comfort and stability for their prosthetic. Whether the bridge is fixed to adjacent teeth or uses abutments, it makes reaching and cleaning the gums beneath the bridge and around your teeth more challenging, leading to an increased risk of oral health concerns. However, a proper oral healthcare routine isn’t impossible. Learn more about the different methods and tools used for flossing under a fixed bridge:

Floss Threader – A floss threader is a specialized dental tool that makes it easier to floss your gums. It’s a flexible plastic piece with a loop to guide floss through tight spaces. To use it, thread about five or six inches of floss through the loop. Then, slip the threader between the gums and base of your dental bridge. Floss the space. Once you’re done, use the threader to pull the floss through and repeat the process for each section.
Super Floss – Super floss is a specially designed dental floss with a stiff end, followed by a spongy floss section and regular floss. The stiff end makes threading the floss under the prosthetic easier, while the spongy section is designed to clean wide spaces. You can then use the regular floss to clean between teeth and the gum line.
Water Flosser – A water flosser is a handheld device that uses a pressurized, yet gentle stream of water to clean between teeth and along the gumline. The device makes it easier for patients with dental appliances to more easily reach hard-to-reach spaces, such as beneath the prosthetic and between teeth. It’s reusable, so you can save money and eliminate waste.

Proper Flossing Techniques for Braces

Braces are an essential dental appliance designed to help straighten misaligned teeth, improve the appearance of overcrowded teeth, and maintain an aesthetic smile. However, the complex wire and bracket design can make flossing tricky, especially for active children and teens who might not want to spend as much time as necessary caring for their teeth and gums. However, flossing is essential for maintaining oral health and preventing gingivitis and cavities. Always follow these proper flossing techniques for braces:

Focus On Each Tooth
Be Gentle
Floss Daily
Consider a Flossing Tool

Dental bridge treatment underway in St. Charles & Glen Ellyn, IL

Easy Flossing Methods for Brace Wearers

Attempting to thread the floss through your brackets and teeth can be difficult and time-consuming. Luckily, there are numerous different dental tools designed to make flossing easier. Whether your child just got their braces or have had them for a while and want to improve their oral health, these tools can help keep their mouth healthy and clean:

Floss Threader – Using a floss threader follows a similar process to a sewing needle, where you tie traditional floss to the tip of a semi-bendable piece of plastic and carefully weave the floss threader between the wires. Once it’s fed through, you can use the traditional floss to clean between your teeth.
Water Flosser – A water flosser is a handheld device that gently streams water around your gums and teeth. Its design allows you to maneuver the stream between the wire and brackets to reach your gums without interference.
Interdental Brush – An interdental brush is an effective alternative to traditional flossing techniques. A soft bristle brush head is attached to a thin, flexible wire and a small handle. The head can be moved to reach between wires.

How to Build a Dental Care Routine for a Beautiful Smile

Whether you have a fixed dental bridge, braces, or any other permanent dental appliances, following a comprehensive dental care routine is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Prosthetics make it more difficult to clean teeth and gums, allowing plaque to build up. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends everyone brush with toothpaste twice a day for at least two minutes and floss daily. When brushing, make sure you’re gentle around the gumline to prevent irritation. You can also use mouthwash to remove any remaining debris after you’re done.

We Can Help Keep Your Smile and Gums Healthy

Maintaining healthy oral habits is no longer difficult with braces or a fixed bridge. You can use numerous tools and techniques at home to prevent cavities and gum disease. Still unsure if you’re keeping your teeth clean? At Family Dental Care, our dental team is committed to educating our patients about effective brushing and flossing techniques. We’ll answer any questions and show you the proper way to brush and floss for a happy and healthy smile.