I can't floss!

Message

#1 Post by **ghostmyimag3** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:34 pm

Some of my teeth are so tight i can't even get the threader through them. I also have some that are so sore, i can't stand the floss there yet. I take my waterpik and spray there, how long did it take you to floss? I just got braces Wednesday.

#2 Post by **Danielle** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:10 pm

That's how I was for the first couple of weeks. Tooth by tooth it will get much, much easier. Now (three months later) I have no problems flossing, there is more than enough space and it doesn't hurt anymore. The first couple of weeks are the roughest... keep trying to get the floss in there (I think the best is the Crest Glide Threader Floss) and soon you will notice a difference.

#3 Post by **tracy729** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:11 pm

It took a couple of days to be able to get the floss in between the teeth that were braced.

Good luck

#4 Post by **MrsF** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:20 pm

I found it really made a difference on what kind of floss I was using. I could barely stand getting the regular waxed floss in. But when I used Oral-B Satin Floss, it was a world of difference!

#5 Post by **Jillianleab** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:50 pm

It took me a few days to be able to floss normally, and in the first few weeks after getting braced sometimes it would hurt too much between some teeth, so I'd skip them. It will get better, hang in there!

#6 Post by **onny** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:57 pm

Like KK mentioned, don't be concerned if you cant floss the first days, i stopped it as well for 3 days. And now I use SuperFloss, which are great! Its much easier than i heard from other braces wearer, takes only slighly more time and is as efficient as before. Some of my teeth are as close as yours btw, so its impossible to floss between some, or very very hard. Those teeth with the biggest space between I daily use a interdental brush too. (I floss just every 2nd day, should I increase that to daily? not really eh.. ? Ortho suggested 2-3 times a week.)

#7 Post by **Lisa65** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:27 am

I use the Crest Glide floss which will go into even the smallest gaps. But my teeth were too tender after bracing to floss at all for a couple of days. I just left it until they felt more comfortable.

#8 Post by **maf** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:44 am

It took me quite a few weeks to get used to flossing with braces - it was extremely awkward to start with.

Now I can easily floss without the threading tool; the only difficulty being the days when there's movement of the teeth and some areas are too sore.

I usually use Oral-B mint-waxed floss. I never was able to use dental tape or wider floss before these second set of braces, but since my teeth have spread out there's more space between.

Don't give up; it gets easier to floss over time and with practice

#9 Post by **joney** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 8:20 am

I was braced on Friday and can only floss between a few teeth, the floss would literally tear if I tried to place it between some of my teeth. However my teeth are so crowded that I have always had this problem and I look forward to the day that I will be able to floss easilly between my teeth. In the meantime I just do the best I can with the little brushes, what more can you do really?

Regards
Joney

#10 Post by **ghostmyimag3** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 8:52 am

Yeah they tore several strands trying to floss between my molar brackets and yet still its impossible. I have 3 areas in my mouth that are measuring a 5 on that perio test. That is why i'm very concerned. I tried the satin tape on a few teeth with success, its mainly my front bottom teeth and my two front teeth that are not accessible at this time at all. The others are just way to sore still. Its really scary to think of what is trapped in between your teeth. I have many fillings, and i dont want more

#11 Post by **Delag** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 6:19 pm

Some of my teeth are so tight i can't even get the threader through themÂ¨Â¨(quote)

Just to make sure....you use the threader to get the floss under the wire, then you grab the ends of the floss and use like normal. At first I thought I had to put the whole threader through my teeth and couldn't figure it out how it would ever fit

#12 Post by **ghostmyimag3** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 6:35 pm

Thats what i've started doing that way if the tooth is way too sore i dont have to pull it out at the gum.

#13 Post by **cowlypso** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 8:11 pm

Just to make sure....you use the threader to get the floss under the wire, then you grab the ends of the floss and use like normal. At first I thought I had to put the whole threader through my teeth and couldn't figure it out how it would ever fit

Haha... I've been sitting here reading about the oral care and threaders and such, wondering what on earth they look like, and how the heck they're supposed to go between my teeth. I have enough trouble getting normal skinny floss between my teeth with my tight contacts. I just couldn't imagine how this thing called a threader worked, other than it must be like a needle and thread that you had to jam all the way through between your teeth! I'm really glad that got cleared up before I got my braces and made a fool of myself (although hopefully the ortho would have at least explained some of this stuff...).

#14 Post by **Delag** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:06 pm

Ha Ha Ha - Guess I have been doing it wrong after all

I have to say pulling it though looks more pain inducing than my way.

#15 Post by **Joel-** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:34 pm

I just flossed for the first time in several days ... I don't even have a full set of brackets, only 8 on my upper teeth, but it is still such a chore to floss.

I guess I'll try to floss every 2nd day but it's too much work to do every day