Flossing - Any tips?

[IHIC]

Hi,

Firstly I started this thread in this part of the forum as I thought it didn't fit in with the other parts of the forum... sorry if it's in the wrong place!

I have been using ones that look like these:


The other day I decided to buy the normal string type floss (that comes in a pack of about 50m etc). I have never used this type of floss before and followed the instructions (wrap each end around fingers blah blah) but I just couldn't get on with it! I have quite a small mouth... or maybe I have big hands? and I found it difficult getting the floss inbetween the teeth because the finger I put 'in' my mouth wont work right and I can't get the action of scraping the floss up and down each side of the tooth.

Any tips? I guess I can continue to buy the floss on a stick like I usually do, but I understand these wont be an option with a brace. So I am worried how I am going to get on. Are there any other funky tools that work with a brace for people who struggle with floss? lol

I like the floss on a handle/stick as my fingers/hands are always outside of my mouth and I can easily bring the floss up and down each side of my tooth and the gum line using the handle. But I just can't seem to get the same action going on with the string type floss. I have difficulty getting one of my fingers in my mouth to get the floss inbetween the teeth. Also, the string slips off my fingers and I cannot get a good grip. I ended up becoming frustrated (probably because it was late and I was tired) and gave up and went to bed.

By the way, I only tried with the stringy floss on my front teeth, God knows how I'd get on with the back teeth I need a bigger mouth!

[MsMichelle]

Well...

First you have to get the threaders to floss in between your braces. They are blue and look like needle threaders but bigger.

Second make sure you get the no shreding thread for your teeth because if not your braces and brackets will pull tug and rip them to pieces. I have Oral B floss and I love it.

Also some will tell you that a water pik is great to use too.

[justjenn]

There is also threader floss that's easy to use. It has a stiff end on it that you can thread right under your wires. It works pretty good for me. There's one that's kinda fuzzy and one that's not. I like the plain one better.

Hope this helps!

[Sunny]

Practise is what it takes and it's good you're doing that now. The threader floss designed for people with braces is Oral B Superfloss and it's an outstanding product and worth paying a little extra to have to use once daily. The small end that is stiffened, will thread between most teeth at the gum line and if you can't, you'll get it under the wire quite easily, due to it being 'stiffened'. Then it's a matter of holding it firmly between your thumb and first finger of each hand and moving the end just below the gum and sliding it up the tooth. It's the area just under the gum that's the most important part, and the area that nothing other than floss is able to get to.

Good luck ... practise will help and keep positive that you can and will do this!

[IHIC]

Thank you all for your replies.

I will purchase some floss threaders and also the Oral B Superfloss, as I'd like to try both. I don't remember seeing the Oral B Superfloss in my local Supermarket, I'll check next time I go though.

You're right, practise is what it's going to have to be to get me into gear with this flossing.

I was doing a YouTube search lastnight and came across a product called FlossFish... which isn't sold in the UK, but I can buy it from the website and have it shipped. I wonder if anyone on the board has any experience with these.

[Sunny]

I've used FlossFish ... I was sent them to trial ... and they're horrible. You can't hold the floss properly on them and work them to floss your teeth properly at the same time. I don't think anyone who trialled them found them usable. Another problem for many was the distance between the archwire and your teeth ... it can vary and the flossfish can't allow for that. Also in the early stages when teeth might be rotated, this means brackets can be close together and a flossfish won't fit between them. Sorry to be so negative, but it was not a good product and I find it sad that the founder has gone ahead and marketed it.

In New Zealand and Australia you have to buy Oral B superfloss at a pharmacy ... it's not available at supermarkets.

[josie]

IHIC, I'm in the UK too and you should be able to buy the Oral B superfloss in Boots and in some supermarkets too. I've tried both the Oral B superfloss and the floss threader and regular floss, and I prefer the latter by far. I like to be able to feel how much pressure I'm putting on the floss and to control it as much as possible and I've found that when other devices hold it, I can't judge that as well. I think you just need practise using regular floss - but I'd really recommend you practise now, before you get your braces, so it will be one less thing to adjust to, afterwards.

[josie]

PS About the Superfloss, I meant to say that I have quite crowded teeth and I like to use dental tape, rather than floss (tape is thinner) - the Superfloss is just too thick and coarse for me. I like being able to choose what floss to use and use any floss I like, with a threader.

[smylex]

The only thing that I use apart from plain Oral B dental tape floss is a floss threader. The floss threader is only being used for the space between my mandibular left canine and lateral incisor as one the bracket on the incisor is pushed up against the canine and I can't get the floss between there. Otherwise, I just use the dental tape and stick it through the space between the teeth and the arch wire.

In order to keep your grip on your floss, I suggest that you wrap your floss around your fingers 3 times. This will keep your floss from slipping from your grip.

[flossfishGuy]

@Sunny. I'm sorry you didnt like the flossFish, it is not for everyone. If you have crowding, the use of only 1 hand, or hand/eye coordination problems, we dont recommend it. We would not have gone through trials, which you participated in, and released the flossFish to the open market if it was not useful to the majority of the users that tired it. I personally used the flossFish successfully for the 5 years I had braces on and we have sold millions of flossFish across the world to users that love it. It is cost effective, reusable, easier and faster than most other products on the market. Thank you for your feedback. We will continue to try to make a better flossFish for users like yourself.
@IHIC Email me your address and I'll send you a few flossFish to try for free.

[josie]

Please can I try some Flossfish for free too, mr Flossfishguy? I like to try everything so I know I've found the best solution for me - everyone's teeth are different, after all. Both IHIC and I live in the UK though - is that a problem? I'll email you my address. Thanks!

[Sunny]

I live in Australia and they sent me flossfish to trial Josie, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Please make sure you floss properly as you don't want gum disease!

[IHIC]

Thanks again to all for your advice/input, I appreciate it. I will try all 3 options and see how I get on.

Thank you flossfishGuy, I look forward to trying them out.

[Chang Orthodontics]

I'm not sure if this is available where you are, but you can try Platypus Flossers.

Good luck with your treatment!

Floss with Braces - The Platypus ortho Flosser.

[Sunny]

Have you tried these Michael?

I also got use these in a trial ... and while they're definitely better than the flossfish, I could only get them to floss correctly on my front teeth. For the teeth at the sides and back, it was way to hard to move and be confident I was flossing properly.

I did like the little 'tail' for some of my 'black triangle' areas!

[IHIC]

I came across the Platypus Flossers earlier today on Facebook (before seeing the last two replies to this thread), they look worth a try but I don't think they ship internationally... I can't see it written anywhere on their website, and even if they did it would probably work out expensive.

I managed to find one UK website that sells them, but they charge £9 (GBP) per pack of 25! and with shipping, that works out a little pricey.

Why aren't there any funky flossing gadgets made/sold in the UK! . Maybe there are, I just haven't found them yet.