Flossing With Braces

Don’t make the mistake of thinking your immune to cavities when you have braces. This is simply not the case! Dr. Kathleen Falesy of Bayberry Dental Care, located in Tinley Park, IL, stresses the importance of daily dental care. This includes both brushing and flossing. Although flossing can be more challenging with braces, this isn’t an excuse to neglect it. Regardless, everyone should floss at least once a day.

 

Braces give bacteria unique places to fester. This is mainly due to the fact that these areas are difficult to clean. That shouldn’t be the case. Start flossing after every meal when you have braces. Follow these tips to maintain your dental health.

 

The main and most important aspect of your braces care-kit is floss threaders. These are small dental devices that move floss underneath the orthodontic wire. They almost look like a plastic sewing needle. Insert the floss through the eye, then move the floss into place. Flossing continues as normal. There are alternatives to this. Floss picks work well too. These appear similar to a normal prong tool, except the two prongs are connected by a thread of floss. These minuscule tools move past your braces and reach your teeth. Gently insert the floss between the teeth. Rubbing against the gums normally, you clean the area of mislodged food. Lastly, a Waterpik is a viable option. These tools shoot a steady spray of water at your teeth. The pressure cleans all trapped material from your teeth. They even have add-ons for braces cleanings.

 

In Tinley Park, IL, Bayberry Dental Care provides the best dental care around. We cater to all our patients, no matter what! Dr. Kathleen Falsey provides her dental expertise for all. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 708-802-8300.

Dental Care with Braces

While wearing braces, you want to ensure you are keeping a clean mouth so you are not increasing the risk of cavities and uneven staining. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we want all of our patients to understand how to keep great oral health. Keep reading for some tips on how to brush and floss while wearing braces.

When brushing, you need to hit all sides of your teeth as you normally would. When it comes to brushing the surfaces where the brackets are wires are attached, you will need a special brushing technique. Brush along the tops and bottoms of all the brackets. Then, take an interdental cleaning brush and brush both sides of each bracket. Look to be sure that there is no leftover plaque on the sides of the brackets.

To floss, using a threader will help you get underneath the wires easier and quicker. Floss threaders or floss with threaders attached at often found where dental supplies are sold.

Keeping a good at-home hygiene routine and coming in for your professional dental cleanings will ensure a healthy mouth after the braces come off. To schedule your cleaning and examination at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call us at (708) 802-8300 or visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com.