Honestly, do you floss?

[Jerseygirl]

Every day - as well as using one of those tiny little brushes to remove any plaque that gets caught on my brackets. You'd be amazed at how much collects that a tooth brush does not remove. I use a magnifying mirror and get rid of all of it daily. YUCK!

[sbjforumman]

I know how important flossing is but I struggle getting it done twice a day every day. It winds up averaging about once a day though, which I figure isn't too bad.

[Uglytiger]

Hi,

I am using Waterpik, it does amazing job. I still floss before bed, but it's very quick after flossing by waterpik.

[railroad]

All the time. ALL. THE. TIME!

I use Plackers. They're flosser sticks and they fit under the wire. They're really easy to use and don't take much time at all. They have some called the spam spam spam that do the same thing. Get 'em. Trust me, they're so much easier than messing around with string.

I don't see how that would fit under the wire?

[Kirsten2011]

Gosh, you are brave to not ever floss One of the downsides to not flossing, is that you will require to have a scale & polish done more often due to plague build up, in addition, the build up between teeth hardens and can in fact extend the length of you having to wear your wires, because it creates small but unnecessary space between your teeth. Worse case scenario is that your teeth's enamel gets corroded so badly that teeth will need to be whitened (which reduces the enamel on your teeth), or pulled!
Have you tried using a product called SuperFloss? It is a long piece of floss that has three elements: a stiffened part to allow easy access between the teeth, a more 'fluffy' part to floss between larger or sensitive spaces, and then the actual floss (which is a bit like a strong plastic) to floss. It does not shred, it never gets stuck in the brackets and is so effective in removing bits and pieces. What's more you only need to use it two or three times a week. You can afford to skip a day if need be.
Its a personal choice... but i would reconsider not flossing. It will be better in the long run and your teeth will be in tip-top condition
Good Luck!

[Noni]

Gosh, you are brave to not ever floss

. Looool

That is exactly what I thought ,even if I'm so exhausted of brushing my teeth I'm not brave enough to think of not flossing , . Although my ortho said that if you spent enought time brushing you don't need to floss or the mouthwash but I don't trust that . I know sometimes it is overwhelming but what is the mean to have straight nice teeth and not healthy

[Glandyover]

All the time. ALL. THE. TIME!

I use Plackers. They're flosser sticks and they fit under the wire. They're really easy to use and don't take much time at all. They have some called the spam spam spam that do the same thing. Get 'em. Trust me, they're so much easier than messing around with string.

I don't see how that would fit under the wire?

Well, they actually aren't called spam spam spam. Apparently I can't say spam spam spam (the mammal that lays eggs, has a bill like a duck and poisonous barbs on its hind feet) but they do the same thing. It's like regular flossers but part of it is thinner than normal so it fits right under the wire. Unfortunately, that allows the string to bend a little because there's some give in the holder part so you have to be a little strategic when you push it between your teeth. Still, way faster than regular string.

[railroad]

I'm going to make an effort to start flossing again as I think in the long run it's worth it even if it takes like 20 minutes a day.

[OmgDom.]

No it takes too long. I only floss at my ortho when they take the wires off and tell me too.

[yogapaws]

I use mouth wash & GUM soft picks after brushing in the morning & brush & floss every night with DenTek Floss threader & Oral B Glide pro-health.
Midday I "dry brush" & use another soft pick. I brush & use mouthwash when I get home from work before going to yoga....

None of it takes very long now and it is worth taking basic care of the mouth I am investing money, time & discomfort to fix.

[chocolate1978]

I used to floss daily in the first two years even though it was very painful at first. I use the floss threaders since I am too cheap to buy a Water Pic and also believe that nothing replaces good old fashioned flossing. After a couple of months it gets faster but still not as fast as it would be without braces.
Now I do it every two days on average because I have gotten lazy and want these things out of my teeth. Every dental checkup I have had since getting braces has been good. Due for another one so we shall see what they say.
I was a flossing addict before braces and can't wait to floss like I used to once these things are out hopefully by years end.

[tfischer]

The Plackers that people have referred to are specific for orthodontics/braces - says so right on the package.... I went in search of them. I found them at a local drug store, Walgreens - you can purchase them online also. I am one of those that uses my Waterpik daily (sometimes multiple times during the day) - I like my Waterpik because it feels like its massaging my gums. I used the floss threaders up until finding the Plackers, but I love the Plackers!!! It is worth the time it takes to hunt down the Plackers.

Just a side note to those who don't floss - when I was getting an adjustment a few months back, another person was getting his braces off. He was going to need laser surgery on his gums because he didn't do the maintenance daily for his teeth - some kind of laser surgery on his gums due to a bacteria that caused them to become inflammed and the surgery was going to remove some of the gum line. Now please don't take what I am saying to the bank as 100% accurate - this was a few months ago and I was not the patient it happened too....its just what the mom had told me and what I had over heard - lesson in the end is just try to do the best you can to take care of your teeth.

[ArchWired28]

I don't floss every day. Maybe every other day at best. I do brush after every meal though. Not that it's a replacement for flossing, but it does make me feel better. I found that with frequent brushing, floss usually picks nothing. Or maybe that's just how I brush (I do make sure I brush well). I don't use the waterpik either, as my orthodontist said it's a waste of money (for what it's worth, not to offend anyone). All in all, I don't have any new cavities yet. I plan to resume daily flossing after debracing (but ask me when I get there LOL ).

[ArchWired28]

Although my ortho said that if you spent enought time brushing you don't need to floss or the mouthwash

That is what I believe too. And my gums are very healthy (according to my ortho). I can skip flossing but I ALWAYS ALWAYS brush after every food (and sometimes even a beverage, if not water or something totally sugar free such as black coffee or tea). But that is just how I am. Not to say this regimen is good or anything, just to let others know we are not alone

[railroad]

Does anyone use Phos-Flur? I got a free sample at my ortho and I'm addicted to it. It's a rinse for people with braces and I think it might make up for those skipped floss days, at least I hope.