As any dentist will tell you, you need to maintain good hygiene between your teeth although flossing can be difficult especially when you have braces on, as this is more important. Luckily, cleaning your teeth and braces is very easy once you get used to it, whether you’re using regular floss or another handy floss tool.

Using Ordinary Dental Floss

If possible, use wax-coated dental floss. When you’re cleaning braces, it’s important to remember that there are lots of metal parts and corners that can get caught in the floss. Therefore, if you can, use a thin, wax-coated dental floss. Floss that does not have this coating tends to get caught in the braces more often.

The amount of floss you should use varies slightly depending on the size of your mouth and hands. Most dental sources recommend a piece of floss 30.5-46 cm long.

Tuck the dental floss behind the braces. Grab the end of the floss with one hand a few inches from the back of the wire. Tuck it under or over the main braces that are part of your braces, being careful not to get the threads caught. When the thread is around the wire, pull it so that both ends of the thread can be grasped. Using a mirror will be very helpful.

Do it gently. Don’t tug at the braces with the floss – you’re only trying to get the floss behind the braces, not “rubbing” them.

Push the floss between your teeth. Pull each end of the thread with both your hands and hold it between your index fingers for a tighter grip. Adjust the floss so that it can be wrapped around the bottom index finger all the way to the fingertips. Move one index finger into your mouth and gently pull the floss so that it sits between your teeth.

If you’ve flossed before, this movement will feel natural. Basically you have to move the floss into the “arch” between each tooth, and slide it down into the tooth gap. For some parts of the tooth, the floss may feel tight – this is normal.

Slide the thread up and down. Now that the floss is between the teeth, use your fingers to slide it up and down from the gums into the narrower gaps that make the floss difficult to move. Gently pull so that the floss rubs against the inside of both teeth. “Brush” the inside of the teeth as much as possible.

This rubbing motion may not sound like it’s “doing” anything useful, but it actually does. Flossing not only removes food debris left on the teeth – it also removes plaque, a thin, invisible layer of bacteria that can cause teeth to decay, hurt, and turn yellow if left untreated.

Carefully pull the dental floss out. Grasp one end of the floss and gently pull it out, being careful not to get the floss caught in the braces. Congratulations – you just finished cleaning a set of teeth!

Repeat for each tooth, until done. Clean each row of teeth and carefully thread the floss between each tooth all the way to the most distant back teeth, the molars. Once you’ve finished “brushing” all the teeth at the top and bottom of your mouth, you’re done.

Use your time. Flossing thoroughly, especially if you have braces on, can take up to three times longer than a no-braces session. However, it is very important that you keep flossing if you are wearing braces, because these things cannot be cleaned with just a toothbrush.

Using Floss Threader

Try to use a floss threader. Do you get annoyed if you do it by hand? A helpful object called a floss threader can make it easier for you to slip the floss behind the braces. This object looks similar to a small plastic needle, and can be used to clean teeth.

Slide a piece of dental floss into the hole in the threader. The method is the same as when you thread the thread through the eye of a sewing needle. Insert the plastic needle under the arch of the braces and pull the floss.

Use the thread as usual. Now that the floss is in its proper position, hold the floss in your hands and slide it down between your teeth. Pull the thread out and repeat with the same threader. This threader is useful for making it easier to place dental floss in the right position, without having to scratch your fingers.

Using Waterpik

Buy Waterpik. Some dentists and specialist dentists or orthodontists are now recommending a special device called a Waterpik (or “oral irrigator”) to help clean teeth. Waterpik and similar tools are also available online, in specialty stores, and even at dentist’s offices for around IDR 674,250.00 or more.

Fill the water tank with water. There is an indicator line that shows the level of water that should be filled. Make sure to clean the water tank regularly – to prevent bacteria from growing.

Use Waterpik. This tool will release water that can be used to clean food debris and between teeth, although dentists usually don’t recommend using this tool as a “replacement” for dental floss. This tool will be very useful as a complement to dental floss, and can clean some food stuck in places that are especially difficult to reach. An added benefit, Waterpik can be used to stimulate gums, restore function and health of swollen or receding gums.

Explore Other Options

Use dental tape. If flossing as usual is painful, cleaning your teeth with a soft and sometimes chewy dental tape may not hurt. Dental tape is a special kind of dental floss that is thin and wide – almost like a small tape. Dental tape is used in the same way as regular dental floss, but people with sensitive teeth or gums often use dental tape because it is more comfortable.

Use a proxy brush. The proxy brush is a brush that is small, flexible, and has a tapered tip. The tip of this brush has a brush shape that is almost the same as the shape of a Christmas tree. Its unique shape makes this brush the perfect tool for cleaning the area behind braces – simply slide the brush under the braces and between your teeth and brush thoroughly. Proxy brushes are not available in public, so check with your doctor or dentist if you are interested in getting one.

Proxy brushes are not intended as a substitute for dental floss. These brushes don’t clean crevices as cleanly as dental floss can. They are used in conjunction with dental floss to ensure that the area behind the braces gets adequate cleaning.

Use an orthodontic toothbrush. This brush is a special type of toothbrush with a V-shaped brush. This special brush can clean the area behind braces as well as clean other tools related to the alignment process, making it a very helpful tool to keep your teeth clean.

Just like proxy brushes, orthodontic toothbrushes are meant to be used in conjunction with dental floss – not as a substitute for floss.