Flossing with Braces

Or, How to Kill a few hours of free time!

Hello. My name is Kim. And I'm a flosser.

I know that many of you may frown upon such behavior. You think flossing is a sin. An evil practice invented by dentists and tooth paste companies. But, the truth is that once I started flossing, the health of my teeth dramatically improved. I've been hooked ever since that first 'no cavity' checkup at the dentist. (But I can quit anytime I like. Really. I swear.)

Flossing with braces is a challenge, even for a die-hard flosser like me. And sadly, the speed braces I have don't speed up flossing. This is too bad. I think there's an untapped market here. How about the FlossWow? A couple of hand-held rods that would shoot strands of floss between every tooth at once, allowing you to floss your whole mouth in just under 10 seconds! Wow! Order it today!

Okay, so I don't have the FlossWow! device yet, so for now I'm stuck with the old way. Be warned; the old way TAKES FOREVER, especially at first when your teeth are sore and it's all a bit weird and awkward.


Here's what I've found works pretty well for flossing around braces:

• Crest Gentle Glide floss - it's very slick and flat, great for getting into the tight spaces
• High power mirror - having a close up view really helps (especially if your farsighted like me)
  
• Scaler - this is a little hook with a handle. It usually comes in a pack with a little mirror and a pick.
  
• Extra patience

The trick (heck yeh, there's a trick)
I just fold over the end of the floss to make a loop. Then I pass the loop under the arch wire. If it gets stuck, I use the scaler hook to pull it through. Now I'm behind the wire and can floss normally.

You can also use a floss threader. Here's a good instructional video on that technique http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_JSmlrmhfU. I got tired of the extra threading work, though, and after doing all my upper teeth I found I'd accidently weaved a small rug. Too many strings for me. My method is just as fast, doesn't take any threading handwork, and you don't have to buy the floss treader.