Fry Orthodontic Specialists: Flossing with Braces

[4getmenot753]

Will flossing make your teeth have little gaps? Plz respond! Im getting braces...and an expander..

[Str8Tth]

@4getmenot753 Flossing will not cause the gaps that you sometimes see in-between teeth.

[brenchtoast44]

Ok I have a question the front bottom row of my teeth I have 1 tooth that feels like it has a piece of food or something in between it....But Ive flossed and theres nothigng there. What is it?

[YouToons100]

@brenchtoast44 probably your gums

[starfalco97]

I agree with aznxdino. On the tag in my listerine mouthwash cover, it says "kills germs that cause bad breath, Plaque & the gum disease gingivitis". so does that mean i'm off the hook for flossing :D

[Khachonsakkanakun]

@starfalco97 Using mouth wash is not as effective as flossing at all. Although the mouth wash kills germs, flossing is more important.

[theantking01]

Good videos. Is there any specific mouthwash you could recommend for people with periodontal problems? Could you please reply back. I would appreciate it very much. Thank you.

[AznxDino]

If i DOnt Floss can I use Mouthwash Everyday instead

[tdottchickk]

do you have to floss under the brackets too and on top of all the teeth? flossing's such a pain. i'm just staring to do it, it's a big pain. :(

[BahebakYaLoubnan]

I have a question. When I try to floss between one of my teeth, the floss, no matter how hard I try, won't go through. Is it because of the glue? If so, what should I do about this?

[peacegirl6074]

i got braces and i went home to flossw but i couldnt really cuz of the glue

[ROSIEECS]

When i'm flossing it really hurts cause i got them on monday. And before i got them i flossed all the time. What should i do

[jenniferlopez214]

when i was little i had gotten a big piece of floss stuck on my teeth and after that i never flossed again cause i was scared and i have braces and they tell me i have to flase but im even more scared flossing with my braces ........ what should i do or use help!!!!!!!!!!

[bubblezw00t]

Do you have to floss? I don't.

[candychica64]

will flossing with braces help if i have gumbuild up on the bottom of my teeth?

[Str8Tth]

Definately! Flossing will allow your "gum build-up" to heal!

[candychica64]

what if your gums are wearing away when you have braces? i floss everday and brush with a super soft tooth brush in circles. why is this happening?

[Str8Tth]

I would discuss with your general dentist and orthodontist regarding your specific situation.

[Alexr197]

Man when i first flossed with braces, it took me nearly 20 minutes! Haha, i laugh when i think back about it. Now it just takes me 5 minutes. It isn't that bad after awhile, and you just get used to it.

[TheAngelInTheAir]

I just got braces today and I can't floss with them for the life of me. Especially between my two front teeth - the enamel is eroded at the bottom of both of them and it was hard getting the floss in between those two teeth in the first place! Now with braces, it's nearly impossible. On the rare time that it started going in, the floss just got snagged on an eroded "hedge" of one of my teeth and it started coming apart. Little strings of the broken apart floss was then stuck.

[Alexr197]

Oh that happened to me when i first got my braces on. Because that happened, i started using the Crest brand Glide floss, its this white one that isn't like the string kind (i cant really describe it but just google it), and its much easier to floss with it than with my old floss, and it doesnt come apart like the string kind. Heres a tip but if you havent really flossed much yet, i'd skip flossing for the first few days since your teeth are really sensitive when u first get them on.

[LemonLvr19]

If your gums get swollen how long does it usually take to go away after you get your braces off?

[redROCKstar72]

man if i use that much floss my mom would kill me

[d0nna7]

haha xP

[Starfflame214]

I don't have to floss my braces cause i just lost 2 teeth on the top before i got braces, yay

[volleyball812]

If your gums get swollen is there a way to treat that and make it go away?? What do you have to do to treat it?? Can someone please answer my questions?? Thanks so much!!

[Str8Tth]

Swollen gums are usually caused from bacteria that has not been brushed or flossed away. Spending a little more time brushing and flossing will help a bunch. Some patients' gums swell more than others with braces...that usually goes away after the braces are removed.

[volleyball812]

thank you(: I floss me teeth every night, brush 4-5 times a day and use fluoride rinse twice a day. Should I floss more than once a day??

[Str8Tth]

You'll be fine flossing once per day.

[volleyball812]

will it go away b4 I get my braces off?? If not how long will it take for it to go away after I get them off?

[Str8Tth]

Everyone's situation is a bit different. I would talk with your general dentist and hygienist or your orthodontist about your exact situation.

[r0seO9]

What's your opinion on using the WaterPik instead of flossing?

[Str8Tth]

A WaterPik is a great tool, but it shouldn't replace flossing.

[r0seO9]

Oh okay. Thanks for your insight doctor! :) I wish you were my dentist but I'm all the way in Canada lol

[Str8Tth]

...I know, right! Canada is like a whole other country up there! :)

[EndlessDark16]

I used floss threaders in the very beginning, but gave up on them and just flossed without them. You don't really need them as long as you can get the floss through your braces. I find it much easier and faster without.

[madeyoulookfilms]

flosssing takes too longgg. ):

[slaterking1000]

How annoying. My dentist and ortho never mentioned floss, at all.

[XxxeLmOLuVeRxxXX]

omg thank u thanku thanku i really needed thiz

[draco3113rocks]

hi there i wen to the ortho when i was 11 now im 16 and my mum has never taken me back to a ortho or denist in 5 years she relies on the school dentist once a year but i dont think she relises that the school dentist is only for primary school im in high school not i ave tried telling her that i need to go to the dentist because my school doesent have the dentist but she doesent do anything i would just like the be check over and dentists offer it free because i dont wana have a cavity not fixed

[everydaybeautytips]

i found a cool tool that makes it easy to floss even with braces!...check out brytonpick . com

[Spyran]

my gums have swollen and i have braces,

would flossing help stop the swelling?

[Str8Tth]

Definitely. We will be posting another video early next week that we show some pictures of swollen gums and how to help.

[FLOSSER44]

I use STURDYFLOSS. IT IS A ONE UNIT FLOSSING DEVICE MADE FOR BRACES. IT IS LIKE THE FLOSS THREADER, BUT THE FLOSS THREADER HAS FLOSS ATTACHED...SOOOOO EASY

[almandjoy12345]

umm whatd do bracs do and are they painful als do they cause irratitions?

[flossyBraces]

This is great info! My daughter just received The Platypus from her Orthodontist and we love it too... Is it ok if she uses it? It has really helped in increasing her flossing - but want to be sure you think it is ok. I purchased some online at PlatypusCo - would like your input.

[Str8Tth]

I like the Platypus product. It seems to work well.

[ANNAwasxh3re]

then how do you take the floss out?

[Str8Tth]

After you have flossed up and down between your teeth, gently pull and the floss will come right out.

[chavitavb]

I have a question which toothpaste do you really recomend? , Which floss do you recomend , and do you think Listernie is a good mouth wash ? Thankyou take your time

[Str8Tth]

I really don't have a strong feeling about toothpaste. I use Colgate Total, but Crest is also a great brand. Listerine is one of the only mouth washes proven to help with gingivitis. Most of the others are good at helping your breath smell good. Act has fluoride and can help protect your teeth from cavities. Any floss that gets used is good. There is a new cool tool called the Platapus, that allows you to floss really well with braces. I hope this answer helps!

[akieraagatha]

i don't get it..how to floss????

help

[Babyjoker1331]

ahh! thats gunna cut yo gums playa

[Cutie7x7]

imm gunna go floss right now!

[DarkRocker908]

braces,spavers,and flossing dose suck :(

BUT think of the butiful teeth ur gonna have with all that hard work

TRUST me it will be worth it :)

[DarkRocker908]

wat happenes if you dont floss

[Str8Tth]

Flossing helps remove harmful bacteria that brushing alone can't reach. That harmful bacteria can cause everything from gingivitis to loss of teeth.

[DarkRocker908]

wow!good thing i still floss

thx !

[YuTubeModerator]

This vid is great! I've overcome my plague problem :D

By the way , i was wondering , do you actually saw the floss when it's between your teeth ? Won't those sawin routine damage our gum ? :l

[Str8Tth]

The best way is to go up and down and not back and forth.

[YuTubeModerator]

All right! Thanks Loads ! :)

[houou100]

I found this video useful. Thanks!

[CruxisCryst]

You could also slip the dry end of the floss between the spacings and floss that way. Once it gets wet it will be hard to slip it thru another spacing, that's why you spit any excess water and dry up the end of the floss, then repeat. It saves the trouble of accidentally poking yourself and causing some unwanted spills.

[FLOSSER44]

Don't forget to try sturdyfloss.

[felix10271]

Hmm now i see this video. I was sticking my gums with that floss threaders. I was bleeding like crazy.

[FLOSSER44]

You need to try Sturdyfloss...it works great for flossing with braces

[fearno99]

i've got braces, im already almost 6 months into my treatment and i havn't really been looking after them properly and i have yellow stains, am i too late?

[Str8Tth]

You can always help prevent it from getting worse. Call you dentist and get them to evaluate your situation, and start trying to change your brushing habits.

[brittandlindsey]

i know it hurts when you get them tightened and then having to floss but you have to tuff it out and do it quick cuz you have to floss! :)

[GNOlife123]

i need braces.

im kinda worried , but kinda eager to get them.

ive been asking my mom &

she said maybe in a few months.

i jst really want my teeth to be straightened out ):

but it's worth getting braces ... right?

hehe,sorry .. i dnt really know much about em'.

so,it really helps if you floss everyday? ; specially w/ braces? :]

[Str8Tth]

Definitely!

[funnyboy213]

does the orthodontist tell you if you are flossing /bushing correctly?

[Str8Tth]

Yes

[x3oOoO]

hello i just got my braces yesterday .. what is the teeth are tightly packed together and it hurts to floss, do i still have to floss them if no food is stuck in between the teeth?

[Str8Tth]

It is good to still floss, even if you don't see food between your teeth. The floss really removes small bacteria that can be harmful to your gums and bone around your teeth.

[pinkxvenom]

that seems like it takes a lot of time to do... i'm very nervous about getting braces... :[

[Str8Tth]

It will be quicker than you think, once you get it into a routine. Getting braces on is a piece of cake...the next day is usually when things are a little uncomfortable.

[13doglover13]

im scared to get braces. do they hurt??

[Str8Tth]

Braces do not hurt while they are being put on. Usually they are sore then next day...but just for a couple of days.

[gogiggo]

is the guy u?

[Str8Tth]

that's me

[lildestiny101]

is it really important to brush at school????

[Str8Tth]

We encourage all patients to brush after every meal. The longer food debris and plaque stay on your teeth after eating, the more you become susceptible to cavities and decalcification.

[AWebkinzmileygcyrus]

Can i still drink Pop soda? or juice Or should i drink water. Also if you got a big over bite and your teeth hang over on your lips uhm do you need to wear head gear :S

[Str8Tth]

I am not anti-soda, but you should drink it sparingly. Juice is really the same way. Water is the best to avoid decalcification, but soda or juice in moderation should be OK. Some orthodontists still use headgear for that type of problem. There are also some other tools or appliances that help with that problem.

[AWebkinzmileygcyrus]

thanks for your help cause im getting braces on may 20th :)

[fifijojo69]

i like juice and just got braces. i was wonderin if smoothies had the same effect as juice. the smoothies i drink are just pure fruit blended. also can a straw b used when drinkin soda to avoid the braces a bit more?

[Str8Tth]

You are probably going to be OK with the smoothies. Soda through a straw would still put the soda in contact with your teeth. It might be better than drinking without, but I'm not sure.

[lildestiny101]

that looks really hard and what time of day would you floss cuz im getting braces soon and im not the grates floser

[Str8Tth]

I recommend doing either first thing in the morning or right before bed. Once you do it a couple of times, you will have no problems.

[lildestiny101]

ok thanks

[fobkrazy1224]

The needle-ish thing also makes it easier to floss w/ braces. Take it from someone who knows! :D

[Kikiyo503]

Im getting braces soon and what are water picks?

[Str8Tth]

A Water Pik is a device that spays a small stream of water underneigth the braces wire. It is a really good tool to remove food debris from hard-to-reach places. You can get one from any local drug store.

[TyPicaLAW]

one more question, where can i get a water pick?

[Str8Tth]

You should be able to get a WaterPik at any local drug store, Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, Sam's Club, etc.

I hope this post helps!

[TyPicaLAW]

would that be as good as flossing?

[Str8Tth]

not as good but better than nothing.

[TyPicaLAW]

would it be ok to wait until i get my braces off to start flossing?

[Str8Tth]

I would strongly advise to begin flossing immediately, as harmful bacteria can be causing damage to the bone around your teeth without you even knowing it!

[619Fallenchick]

I just got my braces on and they hurt do i have to floss the first few days cause i know its gonna hurt do u think its a good idea?

[Str8Tth]

It is always better to floss every day, but you'll be fine if you wait a couple of days.

[easterbunnyking]

do they provide you with the threader?

my orthodontist didnt and i had no choice over what colors my braces were! they look so ugly i think its because of my health insurance.

[Str8Tth]

Some provide them, and some don't. You should be able to pick some up at any drugstore. One other good tool to look into is a Water Pik.

[scotch21]

i find it too difficult to insert the floss. another thing, some portion of my gums bleed everytime i floss and brush, is that natural? i am in almost 2 months wearing braces, is it ok to shift from betadine to listerine?

[Str8Tth]

As you saw in the video, floss "threaders" help with inserting the floss. Have you tried using one of those? A little bit of bleeding is OK: it is an indication that some of the bacteria are still present. Try to spend a little more time on those teeth. Listerine would be a good switch.

[scotch21]

thank you so much Str8th now my problem is how to avoid losing the bracket from my teeth during dental floss? i was flossing between the molar band but it stuck accidentally on the metal and the bracket on the next tooth was removed. gosh i need to go to my ortho immediately. thanks so much again.

[TyPicaLAW]

your brackets aren't suppose to come lose when flossing it was most likely lose to begin with, i lost 2 of my brackets the first month and they told me that the back teeth come off easier

[scotch21]

thank you so much. i had my brackets fixed already and my ortho added another molar bands on my wisdom teeth unfortunately almost a week after it got infected with gingivitis so i had the one side removed until it will recover on my next monthly appointment.

[peaches1227]

If you have gingivitis, is it reversible? If it was, how long would it take to reverse?

[Str8Tth]

It is reversible. If you spend time brushing and flossing every day, combined with regular visits to you general dentist and hygienist, it should go away quickly...within a couple of weeks or so.

[shmackfiend]

What is gingervitice

[Str8Tth]

"Gingivitis" is an infection of your gums that causes bleeding. It is what happens when bacteria don't get properly removed via toothbrushing and flossing. The reason it is so important is that it is the precursor to a bigger infection of the bone surrounding the teeth called "Periodontitis." This infection causes bone to be lost around the teeth and is difficult or impossible to restore.

[viioleettt]

Hii wouldnt sugarfree gum get stuck in between your braces.. And if it does, how would you clean it out. And if its okay, would Extra chewing gum be fine?

[Str8Tth]

Gum sticking between the braces is never a problem. Extra would be fine.

[magicFAIRYgirl]

Haha Umm Not Really But Thats Okayy...

[Str8Tth]

In NZ it is Act-3 (Ibuprofen, and I am not sure what the common name for Tylenol (acetaminophen)is...sorry.

[magicFAIRYgirl]

Umm whats a advil and tylenol? Sorry I'm from New Zealand and I've never heard of them before.

[Str8Tth]

Advil is Ibuprofen and Tylenol is Acetaminophen. I hope that helps!

[XAkashaX]

Ive had braces for about 7 months now and my teeth are looking great already!

Thanks for the videos, i brush properly and floss everyday now! :P

[Str8Tth]

I'm glad to hear it!

[MtheCellist]

Is there anyway of flossing faster with braces? Is there a product that has almost the same results of flossing? If I don't floss for my entire braces treatment, what will happen?

[Str8Tth]

I understand that it takes a long time to floss. There is nothing as good as floss at getting between your teeth and removing bacteria that your tooth brush can't get. You could purchase a water pik which is better than using nothing. It can help get some of the bacteria from under the wires and below the gum tissue.

I hope this post helps!

[gymnasticksfreak]

OMG im getting braces this wednsday and im like excited and a lil nervous my friends all tell me that ur not allowed to eat candy and stuff but they do anyway annnddddddd i have 5 cavities that i have to get fixed b 4 wed.

[p1nkshiningstar17]

I am getting my braces this week. Some people told me that it will hurt a lot when you floss with braces. And, by the wayy, can we floss with regular floss?

[Str8Tth]

It should not hurt to flass with your braces...it just takes a little extra time. Regular floss works great!

[p1nkshiningstar17]

Hi, I'm going to get my braces like really soon. But i need to do a x-ray, and a study model. The only reason why i am scared is when they tighten it. They said that we should eat an advil or tylenol 2 hours before we get em tightened, So, it will kill down the pain. I'm really scared. Can you tell me any way to kill down the pain after we get the braces, and after we get them tightened? I want to know more about this before i get braces.

[Str8Tth]

Advil or Tylenol is a great idea before and after. We encourage our patients to chew sugarfree gum, as it will tend to help with the soreness.

[fanofwrestling123]

How do you floss the top teeth because I am having difficulties flossing the top teeth?

[Str8Tth]

The basic technique is the same as shown in the video. The only difference is that you place the floss threader above the wire on the top teeth...then move it down, underneath the wire, then floss between the teeth...make sense?

[masterofgir]

what about floss stickes do those work

[Str8Tth]

Floss sticks are great products, but they are virtually ineffective with braces. the wire prevents the floss from getting below the gum line. Below the gum line is actually where the bacteria hang out. Floss threaders are really the best way to properly floss with braces.

[Hottie4U95]

hey its me again and i am getting my braces tomooorow and im scared but ill tell you how it goes

[Str8Tth]

Hottie4U95...how's it going with the braces?

[Hottie4U95]

good thx :] they are working well and they look great :] thanx for the tips :]

[Hottie4U95]

hello mr.fry im getting my braces in a week or so and you have really helped me figure how to floss and to brush ill use the tips as directed:)

[gswarrior15]

braces suck!

[xXredskinzXx]

i just got my spacers today and one fell out i have to go get it shoved the hell back in

[Str8Tth]

Check out our video on spacers, and it will show you how to get it back in.

[iloooveuchaz]

i have to get braces and an expander...im scared

:(

[wentgal]

i have braces and an expander and its not that bad. it does hurt but the pain goes away. try drinking things that are cold and cold yogurt and stuff that usually numbs the pain. oh and expanders can be a bit annoying cause you cant reall pronounce e's and food gets stuck alot!!! hope ive been helpful!!

[iloooveuchaz]

thanks.[:

[kidd89120]

i have those threads but still take FOREVER

[psyfertech]

dam, when i get braces thats gonna be like so fricken hard, oh my god ill be in there for hours just flosin one tooth, jeese

[wentgal]

yeah u will be. when i first got them it took me about 20 mins to do all my teeth cause i didnt want to cause any damage. beware they may not hurt the first day you get them but the second day and the ones following it t will feel like a truck is running no stop through your mouth...

[nimashukri]

Hehe... man, I hate braces.

[kiwidud3]

my orthodontist gave me "piksters" that are sort of like flossing, will i still need to use dental floss

[Str8Tth]

Piksters are a great tool to clean under the wires, but they do not truly get between the teeth or remove bacteria that accumulates below the gums. Floss is really the only way to clean these areas. I would advise you to use both.

[swimmerkid33]

who cares?

[kayleneAswim2011]

I no...