You might think flossing your permanent retainer would be difficult. It’s not as simple as stuffing it into your mouth, scrubbing the surfaces with a string of floss, and calling it good. There are a few things you should know about before you begin. For example, how do you floss with a permanent retainer? Without hurting yourself in the process? We won’t mislead you – it is difficult to learn how to floss with a retainer. There are several different ways, each of which has its own pros and cons. Flossing isn’t an exact science, but we can give you some advice that will make things easier for you. Keep reading to discover everything related to flossing with a retainer.
How To Floss With A Permanent Retainer
1. Use a floss threader
This is probably the easiest way to floss with a retainer. A floss threader is something like a dental pick. It has little nubs on it which you can use
This is a special brush that has little nubs on it which you can use to hold the floss in position. It is also used for cleaning your teeth.
3. Use a retainer and dental floss
You can get this at any drug store, or online. You’ll find it as part of a kit that includes several different types of floss threaders, interdental brushes, and other items you might need to clean your teeth properly.
4. Use a toothbrush with interdental bristles, or an interdental toothbrush like the one above
This is a very popular way to clean your teeth properly when you have a permanent retainer in place, especially if you have braces on your teeth as well. Like the above, it comes with all kinds of different accessories and tools that make it easy to clean your teeth properly while wearing a retainer. This is probably the best way to clean your teeth properly, however, it is the most expensive way to do it.
5. Use a dental floss holder
You can use a floss holder to hold your floss in place while you are brushing your teeth. It’s one of the simplest ways to get the job done properly, but it might not be as comfortable as using something else. You can find these at any drug store or online.
What Are The Benefits Of Flossing With A Retainer?
1. Flossing with a retainer makes it easier to brush your teeth
You might not realize it, but flossing is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth. It will save you from the pain and irritation of gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a condition in which plaque builds up on the gums, causing them to become inflamed and bleed. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to tooth loss. The same goes for periodontitis, which is an inflammation of the jawbone that leads to tooth loss if left untreated. Flossing cleans out all of the spaces between your teeth and below your gum line, preventing gingivitis and periodontitis from occurring in the first place.
2. Flossing with a retainer makes it easier to clean between your teeth
Flossing is also important because it makes it easier for you to clean your teeth. If there’s no space between your teeth, you will have to use a toothbrush to remove plaque. But if you floss, you can use a piece of dental floss to remove plaque from the spaces between your teeth. Flossing with a retainer makes it easier for you to clean between your teeth and remove all of the plaque that builds up in those spaces.
3. Flossing with a retainer is less painful than brushing alone
If you’re not used to flossing, it might be painful at first. But once you get into the habit of flossing with a permanent retainer, it will become much easier. You might not realize it, but using dental floss is much more pleasant than using a brush or even your tongue (which some people do). By using dental floss, all of the pressure is off your gums and teeth, giving them time to heal after being damaged by plaque buildup. If you a retainer helps you to prevent tooth decay a retainer makes it easier to clean between the teeth and in between the teeth.
Tips For Proper Flossing With A Retainer
- Place a clean piece of string in your mouth, then push the tongue out through the space between the teeth and cheeks to keep it from getting caught on anything (you can also use a piece of dental floss if you like). Be careful not to use too much string – you don’t want to choke yourself!
- Move the tongue back into place, but do not pull it out.
- Slide the floss between the teeth and across the gaps between them (you can also use dental floss or a thin string of dental tape if you like).
- Hold the string in your mouth with your lips wrapped around it, then pull it out of your mouth and hold it straight up while you release it from your lips. Do not hold the string under or behind your tongue; you will get it caught on something and hurt yourself. Turn the floss and repeat steps 2-4 on every tooth that needs to be cleaned.
When Is Flossing With A Retainer Important?
- We recommend flossing your retainer after each meal to prevent food debris from sticking to the end of your teeth.
- Floss at least a few times a day, but roughly once every two days is ideal.
- When you do floss, make sure to floss both surfaces of your teeth – the surfaces of inside surfaces, and the outside surfaces. This will help remove plaque buildup.
- If you don’t have any floss handy, use a toothpick to remove food debris from between your teeth and gums. Don’t use it as a toothbrush because it could damage your retainer or cause pain in your mouth area (just like brushing without fluoride). You can also pick at food particles with tweezers or dental picks if you want to be extra thorough and get every last piece of food out of there.
- If you can’t find any floss in your house, make sure to bring it with you when you go out. You can purchase floss at the local drugstore.
- To find out if your permanent retainer is working, keep an eye on your teeth for any signs of plaque buildup and tartar. If you do see any buildup, flossing is important in order to remove it.
Conclusion
Flossing with a retainer is important to keep your teeth and gums healthy. While it isn’t easy, it is worthwhile. Make sure to follow the tips we discussed above, and you are more likely to be successful at flossing with a retainer. Flossing is important for anyone who wears a retainer, but it isn’t easy. Using the techniques we discussed above can make it a little easier.
