Dental floss sticks are a great way to keep your mouth healthy and clean. Here’s how to use them: First, unwrap the dental floss stick from its packaging. You’ll see that there is a little bit of paper around one end of it—this is where you’ll put your thumb while you’re using it. Next, take the dental floss stick in your other hand and make sure that the end with no paper on it is facing up. It’s important that this part not touch any bacteria or other germs because it could get contaminated and then spread them around in your mouth when you use it.
Then take the other end of the floss stick and wrap it around each tooth once or twice depending on how much space there is between them—you want enough space so that when you pull on each end of the floss stick they will meet together without any gaps between them! After wrapping around each tooth once or twice, carefully pull each end apart until they meet in between teeth, then gently move back and forth from tooth to tooth until all plaque has been removed!
You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on how to use dental floss picks with braces and how many floss picks should I use.
How To Use Dental Floss Sticks
As part of a good oral hygiene routine, flossing every day is essential to avoid gum disease and stop tooth decay. If you’re confused about the many flossing options, and how to floss for best results, you’re not alone! Let’s have a look at a few popular types of floss and how to use them properly.
Dental Floss
When you think of dental floss, you probably think first of the most popular kind of floss that is made of thin string or tape material. This original dental floss is highly effective in dislodging and removing particles between teeth or in hard-to-reach places.
Dental floss is available as standard, unwaxed floss or waxed to make it easier to get into tight spots. Dental tape floss is a bit wider and flatter and also comes in unwaxed and waxed. Other floss materials are also available that create a stronger dental floss. You may need to try the different types of floss to find what works best for you.
To use, start with about 18” of dental floss and wind most of it around each middle finger. This should give you an inch or two of floss that you can hold taut between your thumbs and index fingers. Gently insert the floss between each tooth, sliding it up and down between teeth. Make sure you go beneath the gumline, by curving it around the base of each tooth and use the floss between all teeth.
Dental floss, as described above, is also available in a flavored variety. This type of floss is worth mentioning as dental floss with a mint flavor might be a good choice for people resistant to flossing! While the way you use mint-flavored floss is just the same as described above, the taste might encourage kids or teenagers to floss more regularly or help you feel especially fresh after lunch!
Flosser Picks
Small, plastic devices that have a piece of dental floss threaded onto it are called flosser picks or floss picks. Floss picks are popular because they are easy to use and very convenient. No need to wind floss around your fingers when you use a floss pick!
Although floss picks can be a little awkward to hold and use at first, they can be useful for people who have arthritis or who have limited hand dexterity. It should be noted, however, that some believe floss picks can make it easier to floss but aren’t necessarily as effective as traditional dental floss. Likewise, because the floss pick has a pre-threaded piece of floss in it, you’re not using a fresh piece of floss between each tooth. The last consideration is that a floss pick is a single-use plastic, which is not very environmentally friendly.
To use floss picks, carefully insert the floss section between teeth and slide the pick up and down. Just like with dental floss, work the floss pick down around the curved base of each tooth to gently slide beneath the gumline. You may need to practice to ensure you remove all particles and be sure to use the floss pick between all teeth in the mouth.
Water Pick
Electric water picks, also known as oral irrigators, are also available and can be used to clean between teeth. Using a jet of water, a water pick dislodges food and debris. This pulsating stream of water flows can be aimed to stream and reach tight spaces.
Water picks can be a gentler option than floss and can also reduce gingival, or gum, bleeding. For those who struggle with regular dental flossing or who have had major dental restoration work, a water pick might be a good solution! Water picks are more expensive than traditional floss, however, and also require a new spray tip every three to six months.
Water picks can be a bit messy to learn how to use but are worth the effort of practicing. While you should follow manufacturer recommendations, you can use warm water in the water pick reservoir. You will choose the tip and start with the pressure control set on low. Leaning over the sink, put the tip inside your mouth, turn the unit on, and clean around and in between the back teeth, both top and bottom, aiming the tip at a 90-degree angle just above the gumline. Work your way to the front and rinse when finished.
Interdental Brush
Designed specifically for cleaning between teeth, a interdental brush is a small brush that is available in different diameter sizes. While interdental brushes were intended as a supplement to a toothbrush, they can serve well as a dental flosser, too. They are easy to use and can be a good method to keep gums and teeth healthy.
Interdental brushes are ideal for people who have larger spaces or gaps between teeth. Wide teeth spacing can make it difficult to use dental floss efficiently, making interdental brushes a more effective option. These small brushes are also useful for people with limited mobility or who have dental braces. Interdental brushes can also be used on dentures and bridges. Interdental brushes can, however, be more expensive than dental floss.
To use an interdental brush you only need one hand to maneuver the little device. Get the interdental brush wet with water or toothpaste. Holding it like a pencil, slowly slide the tip of the brush between the base of two teeth. Move the brush back and forth a few times, angling it to clean both sides of the teeth. Continue between each gap and rinse your mouth out with warm water.
So what’s the best dental floss for you to use? We have to say that it’s the one you’ll use regularly! If you’re unsure which dental floss to choose, talk to us. We can make recommendations based on your teeth and what’s available to get you the right tool for the job!
Plackers orthopick
SAN DIEGO, CA, May 03, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ — Plackers, makers of the first disposable dental flosser, expands its family-friendly line of oral healthcare products with Plackers OrthoPick, a dental flosser designed to make flossing easier and more convenient for millions with orthodontics such as braces, bridges and other dental appliances that make flossing difficult. To help these individuals more easily maintain their daily dental hygiene routine, Plackers is giving away free OrthoPick flosser samples to the first 10,000 people who sign up on its website at http://www.plackers.com/FreeOrthoPick.
Plackers OrthoPick is designed specifically to meet the needs of those with orthodontics such as braces, bridges, permanent retainers and other dental appliances. The unique flosser design has a patented, thin flosser arm that fits easily between teeth and brace wire, offering an easier and more convenient alternative than floss threaders and other similar products that may be more time consuming. In addition, Plackers OrthoPick features an adjustable floss head to help users easily reach back teeth, a soft flexible pick to remove trapped food debris and a comfort grip that is easy to hold.
“Flossing regularly is one of the best ways to prevent chronic diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease – particularly while you’re investing in orthodontic treatments, ” said dentist and Associate Director, External Relations for Oral Health America (OHA) Anthony Stefanou, DMD. “Products like Plackers OrthoPick make it easier for those with braces, bridges and dental appliances to maintain regular flossing routines and help ensure a healthy mouth”
Plackers OrthoPick is the latest addition to the company’s complete flosser line that meets a variety of dental hygiene needs for the whole family.
“Maintaining one’s daily dental hygiene routine can be challenging for individuals with braces,” said Plackers’ Director of Marketing Tom Barman. “Plackers OrthoPick is designed to make flossing with braces and other dental appliances much easier, allowing individuals to help keep their teeth and gums healthy while undergoing orthodontic treatment.”
Those interested can sign up to receive one of the 10,000 free samples on Plackers’ website at http://www.plackers.com/FreeOrthoPick.
Plackers OrthoPick flossers are currently available at select retailers nationwide, or online at www.plackers.com.
About Plackers
Plackers, a leading brand of consumer oral care products, is a pioneer in dental flossers and other consumer oral care products. Having patented the first disposable dental flosser, Plackers is committed to developing high quality, affordable oral care products with innovative features that include a comprehensive line of dental flossers, dental accessories, and dental night guards including the Grind No More Dental Night Protector. Plackers holds over 20 patents and is sold in major retailers worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.plackers.com.
Best Floss for Braces
Flossing is an essential step in oral hygiene that most people overlook. In addition, it is crucial to maintain excellent oral hygiene while wearing braces to avoid developing white spots, cavities, and gum disease. It can be detrimental to your treatment if you do not adhere to proper oral hygiene, and in severe cases, your braces may need to be taken off sooner than you expected.
WHY IS FLOSSING IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE BRACES?
Braces create many hard-to-reach areas that are difficult to clean with dental floss alone. Food can get trapped between your teeth and under your braces, leading to plaque buildup and tooth decay. Another important reason for flossing is to remove food particles that become stuck in the brackets of your braces. This helps prevent cavities and dental diseases such as gingivitis. Gingivitis causes inflammation of the gums and leads to redness, swelling, bleeding during brushing or flossing, bad breath (halitosis), pain when chewing certain foods, discomfort when wearing dental appliances like orthodontic bands or bridges, etc.
RECOMMENDED TYPES OF DENTAL FLOSS FOR BRACES
#1: WAXED FLOSS
Waxed floss is made of thin filaments of plastic or Teflon coated in wax. The wax makes it easy to slip the floss between your teeth and glide against the surfaces you’re trying to clean. Waxed dental floss is recommended for those with braces, as it tends to slide better between closely-spaced teeth. Like dental super floss, you can use it around dental appliances for added cleaning ability.
#2: SUPER FLOSS
Super floss is a dental tape pre-threaded on a plastic, disposable wand with a dental tape-like tip on one end. It can be threaded along the inside of your teeth and around metal appliances such as braces or permanent retainers to aid in cleaning hard-to-reach places.
#3: FLOSS THREADER
A floss threader is made of two small loops attached to either end of a thin wire with a handle at the end. They allow you to floss between very tightly spaced teeth by threading dental floss through them.
#4: ORTHODONTIC FLOSSER
An orthodontic flosser looks like dental super floss with a handle. The handle allows you to place the dental floss against the wire of your dental appliance so that it won’t slip off while you are trying to clean your teeth.
#5: WATERPIK
A Waterpik is a dental appliance that shoots a pressurized jet of water between your teeth and under dental appliances. This helps remove food particles and dental plaque buildup, thus reducing the risk of dental disease such as gingivitis. In addition, some Waterpiks have attachments that move side to side or up and down along the wire of dental appliances for a more thorough dental cleaning.
To determine the best dental floss for braces, you need to consider how much space there is between your teeth and whether or not you wear dental appliances like orthodontic bands or retainers.
How to Use Dental Floss Threaders
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLOSSING WITH BRACES
With braces, flossing can be a little tricky and time-consuming at first, but the more you do it, the more efficient you will become!
Step One: Wrap dental floss around your middle fingers, leaving two inches between them. Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide the dental floss between your teeth.
Step Two: Gently slide dental floss up and down against one side of each tooth in a sawing motion until you reach the gum line. Do not snap the dental floss into place or force it in a back-and-forth motion along the teeth’ surfaces because this could damage the surface of your dental enamel.
Step Three: Repeat steps 1 & 2 on all sides of every tooth until you have flossed every space in your mouth that is visible with braces or dental appliances. If an area is difficult to reach with dental floss, you can opt for dental super floss or dental floss threaders.
Step Four: When finished with your dental flossing session, rinse the excess dental floss out in warm water and dispose of it properly in a waste receptacle.
Along with flossing, we recommend using an electronic toothbrush and visiting your dentist at least every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
How To Use Dental Floss Picks With Braces
Picks for dental floss This text launches the oralb website in a new tab. are disposable items that can accommodate a brief length of dental floss. Picks for flossing with braces can be found in the same aisles as regular floss.
Use the flossing pick as follows:
- Decide which end of your wires goes between your teeth (some have a thinner end).
- In between your teeth, align the floss component. You should take a position in front of a mirror.
- Just like you would with ordinary floss, move it up and down between your teeth.
- During flossing, use caution and gentleness. Wire breaks are not what you want.
- Once you have flossed every tooth, remove the flossing pick and repeat.
- Last but not least, consider using the widely used water flosser. This text launches the webmd website in a new tab.
How Many Floss Picks Should I Use
When it comes to oral hygiene, flossing is an essential part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. However, many people may not realize that they do not need to use a new floss pick for every single tooth in their mouth. In fact, each time you floss, you can use one floss pick for multiple teeth.Using a new floss pick for every tooth can be wasteful and unnecessary. The purpose of flossing is to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and along the gumline. As long as the floss pick is still clean and effective, there is no need to discard it after each use.It is important to use proper technique when flossing to ensure that you are effectively removing debris from between your teeth. Make sure to gently guide the floss pick between each tooth, using a back-and-forth motion to clean both sides of the tooth. Be careful not to snap the floss against your gums, as this can cause irritation and bleeding.By using one floss pick for multiple teeth, you can save money and reduce waste. It is also more environmentally friendly to reuse floss picks when possible. Just be sure to rinse the floss pick after each use to remove any debris and bacteria.Remember, the most important thing is to floss regularly, whether you use a traditional floss or a floss pick. By incorporating flossing into your daily oral hygiene routine, you can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues.
