Does flossing feel like an eternity, especially with braces or dental implants? It does not have to be with these orthodontic flossing tips. Dental procedures like braces and dental implants are done for better oral health and facial aesthetics. They come with some unique challenges that make the oral routine more complex than usual.
Braces create tiny spaces making it hard to clean, increasing the risk of plaque buildup. Dental implant care challenges are due to its structure, when not cleaned leads to inflammation, gum disease, and infection. Despite these, it is necessary to have a good dental routine for that confident smile.
Let us discuss the flossing challenges with braces and implants, and tips to tackle them!
The Challenges of Flossing with Braces or Dental Implants
A study found that 20% of Americans never floss and 32% of adults admitted to not flossing in the past week. This shows that flossing, in general, feels tedious. That paired with braces or implants makes it even more tricky.
The primary flossing challenges with braces are the tiny food particles getting stuck around the wires and brackets, leading to bad breath and discomfort. There are chances of plaque build-up causing cavities and gum inflammation as the back-and-forth motion is harder due to wires. Flossing with implants comes with its own set of implant care challenges as the gumline and area around the implant are hard to reach, making way for plaque buildup and severe inflammation.
With all these challenges, orthodontic flossing becomes a must. Without a consistent routine, the life of implants is reduced due to poor oral hygiene. If you have braces, there are chances of white spots on your teeth if you fail to floss regularly. Make sure that you are flossing at least once a day to maintain your oral health and hygiene.
Tools to Make Flossing Easier
Imagine you enjoy flossing every day, doing it without fail, and enjoying it. That doesn’t sound real, right? The right tools are the secret to partially achieving that dream. There are a variety of flossing tools for braces and implants, which makes it easier for you to choose the one that suits you.
We shall look at some of the flossing aids for implants and braces:
Floss Threaders
These are large plastic needles and thin loops that guide the floss threads between the connected teeth, around the dental implants, or behind the orthodontic wires. These are inexpensive lifesavers if you have implants or braces, making it easier to reach tricky spots.
Interdental Brushes
These behave like tiny angled toothbrushes with tiny bristles. If you were to clean in between the brackets and behind the wires or around the dental implants, these provide added convenience when compared to traditional floss. These can remove debris and plaque that could or else be missed.
Water Flossers
This is a type of device that cleans between each tooth using a powerful water jet. These are particularly helpful in cleaning the areas, where traditional floss might have difficulty reaching. This makes it perfect to use if you have implants, braces, or have poor dexterity.
Waterpik™ Implant Denture Tip (DT-100E)
American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance – The Waterpik™ Water Flosser
Implant-specific Floss
These are the flosses modified with special features to help clean the sensitive areas around the dental implants. These are gentle enough but help with thorough cleaning. They could be used in any instance when attention and care are needed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Flossing with Braces
Flossing with the braces with all the brackets and wires on might feel like you are threading a needle. This gets better with time once you get the technique down to do so. We shall look to use a floss threader, which is inexpensive but effective and easier than traditional flossing.
Follow these orthodontic flossing steps to stop wondering “how to floss with braces on”:
- Take an 18 to 24-inch floss.
- Thread it through the floss threader’s eye
- Pull the floss through by sliding the plastic needle under the wire.
- Wrap the floss around the index finger.
- Gently slide the floss between two teeth in a U-shape around every tooth.
- Pull the floss behind the wire to remove it.
- Repeat the steps on each tooth to get clean teeth with braces.
- To make it easier, start from the back of the teeth.
Step-by-Step Guide to Flossing with Dental Implants
Cleaning your implants is first in your implant care routine. You need to be precise and consistent. Do not use excessive pressure in and around the implant area.
These are the steps on how to floss dental implants
- Take an 18-inch floss piece and wrap it around your middle finger.
- Thread it gently between the implant and neighboring teeth.
- After inserting, create a C-shape around the implant.
- Glide the floss back and forth, be thorough but gentle.
- Repeat the same flossing technique for implants.
- Bleeding due to inflammation or the first time you floss is common, but be on the lookout for excessive bleeding.
- If it persists, contact your surgeon and bring it to their notice.
Proper care extends the life of your implants, and flossing regularly plays an important role!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
You should be careful and attentive when it comes to oral health and hygiene, especially when you have braces or implants. There are chances of infections, cavities, gum diseases, and extreme inflammation due to flossing mistakes and improper flossing techniques.
Some common mistakes to avoid are
- Skipping or being with flossing because it is hard and time-consuming
- Using inefficient tools while flossing
- Using the wrong tools could damage the braces or implants
- Being too harsh and irritating the gums
Flossing errors with braces lead to a prolonged treatment. The dental implant flossing issues could weaken the implant causing it to break.
The Role of Regular Dental Visits
Regular dental checkups every six to twelve months should be part of your routine. These routine checkups are scheduled by discussing with your dentist or orthodontic surgeon. The implant care by professionals includes several follow-ups with closer gaps. These gaps are then increased gradually after accessing your progress.
The dental maintenance for braces is scheduled every four to eight weeks in general, but this frequency could increase based on your treatment plan. It is important to visit your orthodontists as discussed in the previous checkup, as there might be chances of delay or increase in treatment time. Looking at your oral health and condition, professional cleaning for braces and implants would be done to maintain them in excellent condition.
Maintaining Long-Term Oral Health
Long-term oral health needs commitment. This is even more necessary if you have braces and implants as they make the upkeep a little hard. You should make sure to brush twice a day, floss once a day, and rinse using mouthwash to prevent some common oral issues such as gum diseases, tooth decay, plaque and tartar build-up, or implant failure.
Dental hygiene for braces and implants might add a few steps to your current routine. If your final goal is a happy, healthy smile follow a ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach in your oral health journey. Having a solid routine helps with implant longevity, and also a healthy smile with braces. This is a type of investment that will grow and result in high returns for all the years to come.
Why Choose Ridge Oral Surgery for Your Dental Care
Ridge Oral Surgery dental care is structured around providing every patient with personalized treatment by collaborating and understanding their goals. We are on a mission to provide expert dental care for you to achieve a confident smile. Ridge Oral Surgery services offer same-day consultations, the best-in-class technology, and procedures with 24-hour on-call access to our surgeons 6 days a week. We are here to address all your concerns about oral care, from procedures and insurance to financing ensuring you receive the quality treatment you deserve.
Conclusion
Flossing with braces or dental implants doesn’t have to complicate your routine. Using these flossing tips for braces and implants in your routine makes it easy. Right tools like floss threaders, interdental brushes, and water flossers simplify dental care and improve your oral health and hygiene. Be consistent with your routine to maintain oral hygiene.
Braces and implants could make your teeth more susceptible to cavities, tooth decay, gum diseases, and plaque and tartar buildup. This should motivate you to keep your braces and implants clean to achieve that bright smile. If you notice any irritation, swelling, or inflammation consult your dentist for their expert advice.
Need expert advice on caring for your braces or dental implants? Contact Ridge Oral Surgery today to learn more about our comprehensive dental care services!
