How many times should you floss with braces?

flossing is an important part of oral health. Flossing removes plaque and food debris from between your teeth and gums where toothbrush alone cannot reach. Flossing is best used after you brush, to prevent the build-up of plaque that can lead to gingivitis and tooth decay.

How often should you floss with braces and retainers?

If you’re using a traditional metal or plastic retainer, flossing twice daily with a gentle motion is usually enough. If you have an orthodontic appliance that’s more complicated, such as a lingual retainer, you may need to floss more often. These types of retainers are placed behind the teeth and cover the entire surface, so they require more frequent flossing to clean under the appliance.

How often should you floss with braces?

The number of times you should floss with braces depends on how well the wires fit into your braces. If the wires are too loose, the floss may not be able to keep between them and your teeth properly, so you may want to try increasing the number of times you floss with the same piece of floss. If the wires are too tight, you may be sore after flossing, so try a different piece of floss if you are experiencing discomfort.

How often should you floss with orthodontic appliances?

The American Dental Association recommends flossing twice a day with an interdental toothbrush or an oral irrigator. However, this may be more than enough. Flossing should be gentle as to not dislodge the orthodontic appliances that you have. If you are unsure of how to floss properly, speak with your orthodontist.

How often should you floss your teeth with braces?

Really, the answer is, it’s up to you! As long as you’re doing it, it’s fine. If you’re not sure if you’re doing it enough, use a mirror and watch for visible plaque build-up. If you see it, it’s time to floss!