How to Floss With Braces

Using Ordinary Floss

Use waxed floss if possible. When you're flossing with braces, it's important to remember that there are plenty of metal pieces and corners to catch your floss on. Because of this, you'll want to use a thin, wax-coated floss whenever you can. Unwaxed, thread-like floss is much more likely to get stuck to your braces. The amount of floss you should use can vary slightly based on the size of your mouth and your hands. Most dental resources recommend a piece about 12 – 18 inches (30 – 46 cm) long.

Thread the floss behind the brace wire. Grab the floss with one hand a few inches from one end. Carefully thread it under or over the main wire of your braces, taking care not to get it stuck. When it's around the wire, pull it through so there's enough slack on either end to grab. A mirror can be a big help here. Be gentle. Do not pull on the brace wire with the floss — you're just trying to get the floss behind it, not to "scrub" the wire itself.

Slide the floss between your teeth. Grab one end of the floss in each hand. Wrap the ends around your index fingers for a tighter grip. Adjust the floss so that it runs up the bottom of each index finger to the fingertip. Move one index finger inside your mouth and gently pull the floss so that it goes into the space between your teeth. If you've flossed before, this movement should feel natural. You basically want to move the floss into the gap between the teeth, then push it down into the gap. For some of your teeth, this will probably be a tight fit — this is normal.

Slide the floss up and down. Now that the floss is in between your teeth, use your fingers to slide it up and down from the gums to the point where it's difficult to keep moving it. Pull gently so that the floss rubs against the insides of both teeth. You want to "scrub" as much of this inner space as possible — try doing it five times against each surface. This scrubbing motion may seem like it's not "doing" anything, but it is. Flossing isn't just for removing bits of food that get stuck — it's also important for removing plaque, an invisible film of bacteria that can cause decay, pain, and discoloration if it's not dealt with.

Carefully pull the floss out. Grab one end of the floss and gently pull until it comes free, taking care not to catch it on your braces. Congratulations — you've just flossed between one set of teeth!

Repeat for each tooth until finished. Go down each row of teeth and carefully thread the floss between every set of teeth all the way to your furthest-back molars. When you have "scrubbed" with every set of teeth on the top and bottom of your mouth, you're done. Take your time. Flossing properly when you have braces can take up to three times longer than a normal flossing session, but it's especially important to floss when you're wearing orthodontic devices because these devices can get in the way of cleaning with a brush alone. You may also experience some gum bleeding which is normal due to inflammation which occurs when braces are placed in.

Using a Floss Threader

Try using a floss threader. Sick of painstakingly flossing with your bare hands? A helpful tool called a floss threader can make it easier to get the floss behind your braces. The threader looks similar to a small plastic needle, and it can be used to floss.

Thread a piece of floss into the eye of the threader. It’s the same way you would thread a sewing needle. Insert the plastic needle under the archwire of your braces and pull the floss through.

Use the floss as you normally would. Now that it’s in position, grab the floss in your hands and floss down between the teeth. Pull the floss out and repeat it with the same threader. The threader is useful for making it easier to get the floss into the correct position without scraping up your fingers. Be careful when you apply the pressure to get in between your teeth — go gently with a back and forth movement.

Using a Water Flosser

Purchase a water flosser. Many dentists and orthodontists today recommend a special tool called a water flosser (or "oral irrigator") to help with flossing. Water flossers are available online, in specialty stores, and even at your dentist's office for about $50 and up (a popular water flosser brand is the WaterPik).

Fill the reservoir with water. There is an indicator line to show where the water should reach. Be sure to clean the reservoir regularly — you don’t want bacteria to breed. Add also mouthwash to the water to increase the antibacterial protection and prevent gingivitis.

Use the water flosser. This tool shoots a narrow stream of water which can be used to remove particles of food and clean between teeth, though dentists don't usually recommend them in place of flossing. They can be really helpful as a complement to flossing, flushing out some of the food that might be in particularly difficult-to-reach places. As an added benefit, water flossing can be used for gum stimulation, restoring proper health and function to gums that are inflamed or receded.

Exploring Other Options

Use dental tape. If normal flossing hurts, a smooth and sometimes spongy dental tape might not. Dental tape is a special type of floss that's especially thin and wide — almost like a small ribbon. Dental tape is used in the same way as normal floss, but people who have painful teeth or gums often find it to be more comfortable.

Use an interdental brush. Interdental brushes are small, flexible, pointed brushes that have bristles that look similar to a pine tree. Their unique shape makes them perfect for cleaning behind braces — simply insert the brush under the wire and between the teeth, then scrub to clean. Interdental brushes aren't available everywhere, so talk to your dentist or orthodontist if you're interested in getting one. You can also use a bit of toothpaste on the interdental brush for better cleaning. Interdental brushes aren't intended to be used as a replacement for floss. They can't clean between the teeth as thoroughly as floss can. Instead, they're used along with floss to ensure that the area behind the braces receives enough cleaning.

Use an orthodontic brush. An orthodontic brush is a special type of toothbrush with V-shaped bristles. These special bristles help it clean behind braces and other orthodontic appliances, making them a big help when it comes to keeping your teeth clean. As with interdental brushes, orthodontic brushes are meant to be used with floss — not instead of it.