Maintaining oral hygiene with braces can feel like navigating an obstacle course, making flossing frustrating. Brackets and wires trap food particles and plaque easily, making daily flossing crucial for successful orthodontic treatment. Many people look for efficient alternatives to traditional string floss, often turning to standard floss picks. However, these pre-strung plastic tools present a unique challenge for individuals with fixed orthodontic appliances that compromises cleaning effectiveness.
Why Standard Floss Picks Are Ineffective
The rigid design of a typical floss pick prevents it from being used correctly with braces. To effectively clean between teeth, the floss must be maneuvered under the archwire, the main wire running across the brackets. Standard floss picks have a fixed string mounted on a rigid frame, making it impossible to thread the floss past this wire to reach the area above the bracket.
The primary goal of flossing is to scrape plaque from the side of the tooth and just beneath the gumline, requiring a C-shape wrap around the tooth. A floss pick cannot achieve this curve, especially when blocked by orthodontic hardware. Attempting to force a floss pick through the narrow space risks damaging the brackets or wires, potentially leading to an unplanned orthodontist visit. Because they cannot bypass the archwire, standard floss picks only clean the very tip of the interdental space, leaving substantial plaque buildup nearest the bracket.
Essential Tools for Flossing with Braces
Several tools are specifically designed to navigate the hardware of braces and ensure thorough interdental cleaning. These methods allow users to effectively clean the tooth surfaces and gumline obscured by the brackets and archwire.
Floss Threaders
Floss threaders are simple, flexible plastic loops that guide regular dental floss. The user threads a piece of standard floss through the loop, then uses the stiffened end to pull the floss under the archwire and between two teeth. Once positioned, the threader is removed, and the user manipulates the floss to clean the side of each tooth. This method is inexpensive and allows for the use of any preferred string floss, but it must be repeated for every interdental space.
Specialized Orthodontic Floss
Specialized orthodontic floss, often known by brand names like Superfloss, is another effective option. This product is engineered with three distinct sections on a single strand. One end features a stiff, non-fraying tip that functions similarly to a built-in threader, allowing it to be guided under the archwire. Following the stiff end is a spongy, thicker section designed to clean around the brackets and in wider gaps. The strand finishes with a section of regular floss for cleaning below the gumline.
Water Flossers
Water flossers, or oral irrigators, use a pressurized, pulsating stream of water to dislodge food particles and plaque from hard-to-reach areas. They are particularly effective for cleaning around the brackets and wires of braces, as the pulsing action flushes out debris string floss might miss. While highly efficient at removing loose debris and reducing gingivitis, water flossers are considered a supplement to, not a complete replacement for, manual string flossing. The scrubbing friction of string floss remains important for removing the sticky biofilm of plaque.
Protecting Teeth and Gums During Orthodontic Treatment
Skipping daily flossing during orthodontic treatment can lead to significant and permanent dental issues. The brackets and wires create additional surfaces and crevices where food and bacteria quickly accumulate. This concentrated plaque buildup is the direct cause of enamel demineralization, resulting in white spots or “scars” on the tooth surface.
This decalcification is a permanent sign of mineral loss and often becomes noticeable only when the braces are removed. Consistent plaque accumulation also triggers gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease characterized by inflamed, red, and bleeding gums. If this inflammation is not addressed through regular, thorough cleaning, it can progress to serious periodontal issues. The goal of orthodontic care is to achieve straight, healthy teeth, making consistent hygiene practices non-negotiable.