A floss threader is a small, flexible plastic tool designed to guide dental floss into areas of the mouth that traditional flossing cannot reach. This device typically resembles a thin, stiff nylon loop or a large needle with an eye at one end. The threader acts as a temporary guide, carrying the floss through tight spaces blocked by fixed dental hardware. Once the floss is positioned correctly, the threader is removed, allowing the user to clean the tooth surfaces and gumline effectively.
When Floss Threaders Are Necessary
The need for a threader arises when fixed dental appliances prevent floss from passing directly between two adjacent teeth. Orthodontic appliances, such as braces, feature an archwire that runs horizontally across the front of the teeth, blocking the path of the floss. This barrier must be bypassed to clean the plaque accumulating around the brackets and the gumline.
Similarly, fixed dental bridges, which replace one or more missing teeth, require a threader. These bridges include a pontic (artificial tooth) fused to adjacent dental crowns, leaving no open space beneath for regular flossing. The threader allows the floss to be pulled underneath the pontic, where food debris and plaque can collect. Other permanent fixtures, like bonded orthodontic retainers, also necessitate this tool to maintain proper hygiene.
Step-by-Step Guide to Insertion and Cleaning
The process begins by preparing the floss and threader. Start with a length of dental floss, generally around 12 to 18 inches, and insert one end through the eye or loop of the threader. Pull about four to five inches of the floss through the loop, leaving a shorter tail on one side. This setup allows the threader to pull the floss through the tight gap.
Next, gently guide the stiff tip of the threader under the dental archwire of the braces or beneath the pontic of the bridge. The stiff, pointed end makes it easy to maneuver through the small space without snagging on the hardware or irritating the gums. Once the threader has completely passed through the gap, grab the tip and pull it through until the floss slides underneath the appliance.
Release the threader from the floss, leaving the strand positioned between the two teeth and under the appliance. Grip both ends of the floss with your fingers and begin the cleaning motion. Gently slide the floss up and down the side of the tooth, pressing it slightly into the gumline.
Curve the floss into a C-shape to hug the side of the tooth, maximizing the contact area for plaque removal. Work the floss up and down the side of one tooth about six to eight times, then repeat this motion on the side of the adjacent tooth. Clean the sides of both teeth that frame the space, as well as the underside of the bridge or archwire.
Once cleaning is complete, remove the floss gently from the area. Instead of pulling the floss back out through the tight gap, pull one end completely through until it slides out from under the appliance. This technique avoids putting outward pressure on the dental work and minimizes the risk of fraying the floss.
Tips for Effective and Safe Flossing
Use a fresh section of floss for each new gap you clean. Reusing the same portion transfers bacteria and removed plaque from one area to another, compromising hygiene. Unspool a clean segment of floss and thread it through the guide again for the next interdental space.
Avoid using excessive force when inserting the threader or performing the cleaning motion. Pushing too hard on the gums can cause trauma to the delicate tissue, leading to irritation or recession. The stiffened tip should glide through the space easily; if you encounter significant resistance, reposition the tool rather than forcing it.
Using waxed dental floss is recommended, especially for those with braces, as it slides more easily and is less likely to shred against rough edges. Maintain a consistent routine; dental professionals recommend flossing at least once every day. This frequency prevents the constant accumulation of plaque around dental hardware.