Brushing and Flossing

[ctachuk]

So I have ceramic and it's my third day. Brushing and flossing may be the most painful part of them so far! Is flossing supposed to take 15+ minutes and do you want to floss all the way down to the gums? I have the hardest one getting the floss in between my teeth and after my whole mouth is killing me. Please help.

[SunshineRay]

I get my braces on today so I dont know yet but I did buy a waterpik because I read on here how great they are.

[Timetoshine]

My ortho has told me not to floss as the start as my contacts are too tight (spaces between my teeth) and I asked him again at my next consult/adjust, and he repeated NO.
So no flossing for me for 2 months so far, but then again I am brushing and rinsing thoroughly.
Will keep asking him each time I go!

[PatientPatient]

I found that too, for the first few days, very painful to try and floss.
Instead, I found the really thin teepee brushes worked well in the places I have small gaps, as I didn't need to try and force the floss against the teeth. Just used a teepee brush at the top, along the gum line. I think day 5/6 you may find the teeth less sensitive and be able to floss.

[PatientPatient]

Sorry, forgot to say, I am now on day 6. Flossing was less painful last night (day 5)

[BriaP]

I am on day seven and have been flossing like normal since day one without any pain (With the exception of my crowned front teeth. They have always been sensitive). I found that the type of floss I use really dictates whether or not it will go between my teeth. They gave me superfloss, and it did not work! I have been using my regular floss (Glide) with a threader and it works just fine. I do that once a day and use my Waterpik three or four times a day.

I just don't feel like my mouth is clean if I don't floss regularly. Try the Glide. I believe OralB makes it, but I use the Target brand.

[JeniK]

Sunshine Ray!! How are you doing ?????

[TMJJill]

In the beginning, it would take me 20 minutes at least to floss. Now it takes 2-5 minutes. It depends on if I'm using an orthodontic flosser or threader floss. The orthodontic flossers are very quick.

The pain changes throughout the treatment. Flossing will be much easier at times.

[PatientPatient]

TMJJill wrote:
> In the beginning, it would take me 20 minutes at least to floss. Now it takes 2-5
> minutes. It depends on if I'm using an orthodontic flosser or threader floss.
> The orthodontic flossers are very quick.
>
> The pain changes throughout the treatment. Flossing will be much easier at times.


@TMJJill, just read your post. Not heard of an 'orthodontic flosser' before. Just did a little web search, they look great! Do they work really well then? They look like they would be much quicker, and a little less fuss.

Seems that we can't get those over here in the UK. From what I can see online. Does anyone UK based know any different?

Would love to give these a go, found some from the US on ebay, about a month delivery estimate though! Please let me know your opinions on if its worth the wait for these....

[Ciara]

A waterpik is very useful too. I found it very hard to floss between teeth with molar bands. My waterpik was wonderful for the first few weeks with them.

[PatientPatient]

Still cannot find a chemist that stocks these in the UK. But, I managed to find a stockist on Amazon UK, I think they come from somewhere in Europe, but were delivered to me in less than a week.

I can really recommend these for speeding up your floss routine. They slide up in-between the wire and the tooth, and floss right up to the gum line. They eliminate the need to 'thread' the regular floss through each and every piece of wire, which lets be honest, is pretty tedious!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005 ... UTF8&psc=1

[BraceFace2o1o]

So I have ceramic and it's my third day. Brushing and flossing may be the most painful part of them so far!

It can be uncomfortable flossing for the first few days, but it does get better.

Is flossing supposed to take 15+ minutes

I would say it can certainly take a lot longer than it did without braces, especially at first. I remember spending about 20 minutes but as time has gone on it now takes me about 5 minutes... A floss threader has been a great help.

do you want to floss all the way down to the gums?

When flossing you are meant to go down into the gum line slightly as that is mainly what flossing is for, to remove any food below the gum line and keep the gums clean and healthy.

I have the hardest one getting the floss in between my teeth and after my whole mouth is killing me. Please help.

This can also be a problem at first, I experienced the same thing. I would suggest to do what you can, don't force it if you can't do it. In time you will. One to two weeks not being able to floss 100% shouldn't cause a problem

[Matilda]

Is flossing supposed to take 15+ minutes

Brushing, flossing and mouthwash take me about 20 minutes.

[TMJJill]

Still cannot find a chemist that stocks these in the UK. But, I managed to find a stockist on Amazon UK, I think they come from somewhere in Europe, but were delivered to me in less than a week.

I can really recommend these for speeding up your floss routine. They slide up in-between the wire and the tooth, and floss right up to the gum line. They eliminate the need to 'thread' the regular floss through each and every piece of wire, which lets be honest, is pretty tedious!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005 ... UTF8&psc=1

That is actually one of my favorite brands that I used regularly. I'm glad to hear it is working well for you. Sounds like your search was successful.

I will say that when I got out of the cast, I alternated it with the threader flossing. I think the flossers do work, but for some teeth, they don't create the strong "C" shape that you do when you use regular floss. Sometimes I just felt I needed that. The flosser is easy and does the job though. The ability to have a nice quick floss is nice too.