Floss Threader

Oral care is extra important when a person is going through orthodontic treatment. When plaque and bacteria sit on the brackets and wires, this will lead to bad breath, possible periodontal disease, and other oral health issues. Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS wants his patients to know that flossing with traditional braces or ceramic braces is made possible with a  floss threader. Allow us to explain what this dental tool is and how it’s used.

 

Floss threaders are designed to floss with ease around orthodontic appliances, dental bridges, and/or dental implants. Cosmetically, they look like nylon loops and you use them by inserting an 18” strand of floss between this loop. After this step is complete, pass the floss threader under or over between the teeth. Remove the threader from the floss, and floss gently back and forth and up and down. Repeat this process and you’ll be left with a clean smile.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

 

Flossing Teeth with Traditional Braces

You just received traditional braces and because your mouth is full of wire and brackets you may think you never have to floss during the whole stage of orthodontic treatment. Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS is here to tell you to think again. There are still plenty of ways to maneuver around those tools to get your teeth clean and plaque free and you can start with this technique.

• Use waxed floss, because unwaxed floss is more likely to get caught and shred in your braces.


• Use about 18 inches of floss and thread it carefully.


• Take the floss and gently thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth.


•  Be sure not to snap the floss. Simply move the floss up and down carefully against the side of each tooth.

If you have questions regarding orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.comfor more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

Brushing Teeth with Braces

After deciding that you wanted a straighter smile, you might have chosen the traditional braces route. Traditional braces include brackets and wires that can make an oral hygiene difficult routine but don’t get discouraged. Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS is here with you every step of the way on your orthodontic journey and he has a few tricks up his sleeve for brushing teeth that are accompanied by braces.  

• Prepare to brush – take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.


• Clean your braces – use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom. Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed.


• Brush your teeth – clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.

If you have questions regarding orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.comfor more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.