To Floss or Not to Floss...

[MzSJP]

Hello all,

Do you floss after every meal? Even if it's a small, semi-solid one?

I am very meticulous about rinsing, flossing, brushing, and then rinsing with mouthwash after every meal. However, I'll sometimes have a banana or a milkshake, instead of a full meal. Mainly because I don't want to keep the aligners out for too long or I just don't feel like doing the whole cleaning routine. In this case, I only brush and use mouthwash.

Is this acceptable to ensure that I don't get cavities, or should I be doing the whole routine after every "meal" no matter what?

[little miss sunshine]

I brush after every meal but only floss once a day. I have floss at hand though just in case anything gets stuck. If you have a good look and a feel around with your tongue you can usually tell when you need to floss in addition to the once a day.


(only my opinion for all those who stick at it religiously good on you but this works best for me )


11/35 U
11/28 L

(anyone else start to lose track of what tray they are on after you enter double digits haha)?

[bluegray]

I second little miss sunshine. I brush after every meal but only floss once a day unless needed. I have floss in my purse and work bag just in case. I'm going on 18 weeks now and haven't had any problems thus far that I know of.

[ChicagoB]

Guilty that I don't brush or floss after every meal. It's really bad, I know - I do a good rinse which is probably not good enough. I'm going to start back because I'm getting too lazy and don't wait to have a full mouth of perfectly-shaped rotten teeth.

[invisimunki]

I'm with little miss and bluegray..I usually only floss during the day if I've been eating meat since I have spaces between my molars now. I don't relish the thought of a piece of chicken just sitting there for hours. Gross, right? I think so too! lol Most other times I just brush and then get a thorough flossing at night.

[lanabyte]

Without fail, I get food stuck in my teeth every single time I eat. So yes, I floss after every meal. I got these little nifty floss picks though that make it so much easier and faster.

[paulmerc]

It sort of depends on the meal. If I take a break and have some greek yogurt, I'm not going to floss but WILL brush since milk has a lot of sugar. I try to only ACTUALLY FLOSS in the evenings or after a larger breakfast. I don't do it in the morning, since nothing has gotten in there since after flossing in the EVENING and putting the chains on.

[mwip]

I floss once a day after dinner, and brush when accessible (home or work). I don't even like to brush in the afternoon when I'm at work, nevermind floss. I think it's embarrassing to handle my trays in public (what if people think I'm wearing dentures?). But I do keep a few dental picks on hand for that annoying chunk.

[paulmerc]

Just remember this. Nobody cares that you're wearing braces. If for some reason they do, you shouldn't really care about them.

[magdalene]

For what it's worth, I brush and floss every time I eat and also use a fluoride treatment most days. I thought it might be overkill but I saw my dentist this week and he told me just to keep doing whatever I'm doing because my teeth are in really good health. I'm sure everyone's teeth are different but that's been my experience.

[Jo Anne]

I'm on 16/19 before refinements and my teeth are looking great! I do brush and floss after I eat anything. Food always get stuck in between my back teeth and I can't get it out just from brushing. I eat out a lot and I must say I don't mind brushing in public but I've never gotten comfortable getting out that long string of dental floss! I have those brush picks but for me the dental floss does a better job.

[Ally]

Flossing is very important especially if you have invisalign or braces! I think it is better/more important to floss after every meal than to brush your teeth, because brushing alone will not remove the food stuck between your teeth. Sometimes you don't even know how much food gets stuck there!!! But flossing can take a lot of time so i found an alternative for on the go and during the day! It is so quick and easy to floss i was so amazed! You do have to get use to it because it is nothing like traditional floss! And it is reusable i love it! Anyway you can check out there website BrytonPick - Floss In Seconds, even with braces or Invisalign. Convenient and easy to use on-the-go.

[mommamorin]

I flossed at every meal. Perhaps just a banana, no...a good swish will do but anything more solid I would certainly floss. Even now (in retainers 2 years) what appears to look and feel of not having anything stuck between teeth after flossing 9 times out of 10 there is still some food stuck in some lost place. I would advise at this stage of your treatment when you are wearing your aligners for the most part, that flossing after every meal is best.

[MzSJP]

Thanks for the various perspectives on this! :-)

[NarcoAngel]

I was told water pics are great. So I got one. I floss once a day but use the pik more frequently.

[little miss sunshine]

I was told water pics are great. So I got one. I floss once a day but use the pik more frequently.

I totally agree. I love my water pic.

[I Invisalign]

Yes...Floss at end of day but Water Pik at least two times during the day. Brush in the morning and at night.

I tried one of the portable models but they kept breaking. I gave up after the third one and went with the standard model and haven't had a problem.

At CVS I saw they sell an even smaller portable W.P. (CVS brand) that looks interesting but I'm still on the fence about trying it.

[Dr.B]

The more you floss, the faster your teeth will move and you won't have tartar build up preventing them from moving.