flossing with lingual braces???

[lu lu]

Hi Guys

I'm due to get lingual braces on my upper jaw only next month & was wondering how difficult it is to floss?

I understand flossing with braces in general is quite tricky let alone when you can't actually see what you're doing. The bottom jaw wouldn't be too bad but the upper surely you can't see anything?

Any tips or advice please

Thanks

[mikeg]

Same process as with traditional braces. you will want to get threaders and just thread the floss through below the wire...

[lu lu]

I won't be able to see the brackets & wire surely it's near enough impossible no lol?

[IHIC]

What about tipping your head back while threading it under each part of the wire (looking down at the mirror with your eyes), maybe that will help until you get the hang of it.

[coconut]

I had linguals on my upper arch and used threader floss. When I inserted the pointy end of the floss between the wire and teeth, I would tug gently against the wire to feel if I'd got it in the right position, then floss away as normal. You don't necessarily need to see what's going on to know that you're doing it correctly.

I would ask for a demonstration when you get your braces. You'll get the hang of it.

[Sunny]

lu lu flossing can take a bit of adjusting to, but it's an essential once daily practise to make sure that the area just below your gum line is clean to prevent gum disease.

You don't need to be able to see the archwire and/or brackets to be able to floss properly. We recommend our patients use oral b superfloss and thread the small stiffened end between the teeth at the gum line and then move the floss gently below the gum on either side of the teeth at that gap, remove and move on to the next gap.

Make sure you ask your ortho for a demonstration and don't leave until you understand the way they recommend you floss!

All the best with your liguals and make sure you keep well hydrated at all times!

[lu lu]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think I'm going to struggle. I'll struggle with normal braces I think (which I'm having on the bottom) when it comes to flossing but the fact that I'll be able to see that I've got the floss in the correct position will make it far easier. At least I'll have those fitted a couple of weeks before so hopefully I'll have mastered them before I get my linguals.

I will def ask for a demonstration. Thanks again & watch this space :-)

P.s why is keeping hydrated so important? I've read a lot of people mention this with lingual braces

[Sunny]

lu lu ... you can see the correct place to floss from the front ... it's the area just below the gum line.

Flossing may be challenging for the first couple of weeks, but like most things connected to orthodontic treatment, the more you practise the easier it gets!

Hydration is important for your whole body, or you risk dehydration and being put in hospital to correct your fluid balance. When you're having orthodontic treatment, if your mouth is dry, your cheeks will rub on the brackets. If your mouth is well hydrated from drinking water, then the inside of your mouth will 'slide' over the brackets and not rub and the risk of mouth sores is reduced.

A positive attitude really does help! Good luck!

[lu lu]

sorry I meant correct position under the wire not where to floss.

Can't wait to get them on. The sooner the better :-)

[xtremsk8terk2]

If you don't have a waterpik ... get one Will save you a lot of time and aggrivation and you will have a much cleaner mouth than flossing.

[Sunny]

xtremesk8terk2 a waterpik does not replace flossing. Waterpiks are fun, but they're definitely not necessary and everything they do, can be done with brushing and rinsing.

I work for three orthodontist's in a large practice and we recommend using water to wash your mouth and improve your hygiene. If a patient mentions waterpik we rarely encourage this, due to the many risks associated with gum damage and water piks. Plus the inaccurate advertising re flossing.