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Flossing Your Teeth Daily While Wearing Braces Is Essential for Healthy Teeth and Gums

  • True Smile Orthodontics
  • June 17, 2022

One of the biggest challenges to keeping your smile looking and feeling its best is to take the time every day to brush and floss your teeth (which also benefits your gum health). When you receive orthodontic care, you will want to step up your oral hygiene game to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy when your braces come off. It means brushing and flossing become even more tooth-protecting habits than ever. Flossing, in particular, is essential because your toothbrush can’t do the job.

Flossing, or interdental cleaning, removes the harmful dental plaque that builds up around the teeth and gum line. Plaque, or biofilm, is a bacterial film that attacks tooth enamel and gum tissue. And while toothbrushing does a great job cleaning tooth surfaces, it can’t squeeze into the areas between teeth. It takes a flossing tool to clear out those tight places where the teeth meet and along the gum line. When wearing braces, you need to be able to get in there and clear out the harmful bacteria every single day if you want to avoid preventable dental issues.

What Happens When Plaque Lingers Between Teeth

  • Dental plaque not removed daily quickly hardens, turning into tartar, which will need to be removed by a hygienist using tartar removing tools.
  • Lingering plaque and tartar target your gums, inflaming them, so they hurt. The good news is that catching gum disease in the beginning stage is removable, but not so with advanced periodontitis.
  • Dental caries or cavities crop up when tartar makes holes in your tooth enamel. When this happens, you can find yourself with toothache pain or infection with diseased gums and teeth that may need an extraction or a root canal to save it.
  • Chronic oral health problems have been directly linked to general health conditions, including Alzheimer’s, cancer, and cardiovascular and respiratory disease.

Flossing Around Braces

If you wear clear aligners to straighten your teeth, you can remove them to thoroughly brush and floss, removing dental plaque. With braces, you have to be a little more dedicated. Remember, the key is finding a flossing method you like using to motivate you to floss your braces consistently.

  • Waxed or unwaxed string floss: Pull out the amount you need, wrap it around your index fingers and then glide it between your teeth and braces parts to lift oral bacteria and food particles. Throw away when done.
  • Dental picks: The floss comes pre-attached to a plastic holder, so you slide it gently between teeth and braces hardware to get rid of oral debris. Toss it after using.
  • Interdental brush: These tiny toothbrushes are ideal if you have small gaps between your teeth or braces that you can clean.
  • Water flossers: These oral irrigators come with tips that you can aim a water stream between teeth and your orthodontic appliance. It allows for a more precise cleaning while protecting your braces. Begin at the back of your mouth where the molars sit. Next, follow your gum line to clean each tooth. A good rule of thumb to follow is to aim the stream over each tooth for two seconds.

American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance

Finding your favorite flossing tool can help you achieve healthier teeth and gums with a beautiful smile. Look for the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance to check the product for safety and effectiveness. These safety and performance tested products pass strict inspections to help ensure you get your wanted results. If you are investing in braces to get your teeth straightened, shoot for a goal of decay-free teeth and disease-free gums!

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Our Reviews

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We’re great at what we do! But, with over 1,000 reviews, don’t just take our word for it…Check out some of these fantastic reviews from so many happy patients throughout the years.

Abigail G.
Me gusto mucho el servicio y me quedaron muy bien mis dientes ahora si puedo sonreír :)
Abigail G.
Me encantó como me dejaron mis dientes ! Diré 3 años con ellos pero valió la pena la espera ! Mil gracias !!!
Abigail G.
Me encantó como me dejaron mis dientes ! Diré 3 años con ellos pero valió la pena la espera ! Mil gracias !!!
Lisa D.
Very professional and friendly. Helped get my cross bite straightened out.
Alida Anne V.
Each time I have met with Dr. Trockel and his team I have been amazed by their willingness to spend the time answering any and all questions in an atmosphere of kindness, honesty, and complete professionalism. Instead of "pushing" services, each of my children has been honestly assessed even to the point of being told to wait and reassess in the future.

The building itself is clean and bright with ample parking .... and so close for Bixby residents.
Santiago G.
I highly recommend this orthodontic facility for any orthodontic requirements. The staff is exceptionally professional, and the facility is immaculate. Jackie was particularly helpful in addressing all of my inquiries and concerns.
Amne K.
The girls at the mall were the best! Definitely recommend 10/10
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience with our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Noorjahan K.
Eliana and Evilyn were super friendly we love them
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that Eliana and Evilyn made your visit enjoyable. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
THE NANDETI F.
I have looked into TrueSmile for my son’s braces, and I received very thorough and good feedback. I love their customer service, very kind, friendly and informative.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you found our customer service helpful and informative. We look forward to assisting your son with his braces at True Smile Orthodontics!
Michelle N.
I love the energy and the friendliness of the staff members at TrueSmile, although I haven’t had an actual service performed here but I have enquired and have received good feedback with thorough information.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Michelle! We're thrilled to hear you appreciate our team's energy and friendliness. We look forward to providing you with exceptional service when you're ready. Your satisfaction is our priority!
Rosalinda P.
Amazing staff and representatives for the bixby location ! Giving great information and detail on in visiting and traditional braces ! Will be visiting this location.
We got a free giveaway at the Back to school event at the Woodland Hills mall Tulsa
Response from the owner:Thank you, Rosalinda! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience at our Bixby location. Our team is dedicated to providing excellent service and information. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Alexis G.
Positive energy & environment! 100% trusted orthodontist! ♡ for my 1 & 4 yr old
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Alexis! We're thrilled to hear that you and your little ones felt the positive energy in our office. We appreciate your trust in us for their orthodontic care!
Cinthia R.
Excelente Servicio, y Buenos Resultados 🫶🫶
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias!
Cinthia R.
Excelente Servicio, y Buenos Resultados 🫶🫶
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias!
Daisy L.
Muy buen trabajo , el lugar muy limpio las personas muy amables , excelente servio 100% recomendado !! Me encanto 💖
Response from the owner:Muchas as gracias por todo!
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D E B O N D  F R I D A Y ⭐️
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SUMMER STORYTIME!! ☀️ @woodlandhillsok
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We’re so excited to be opening down in Bixby with Floss Boss!! 🦷💫 @flossbosskids 

#grandopening #dental #floss #ortho #braces
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Red, White, and Braces Bright!! 💫 Wishing everyone a sparkling 4th of July don’t forget to show off that star-spangled smile!! 🇺🇸✨
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Today we celebrate a decade of dedication, compassion, and countless smiles!! Happy 10-Year Anniversary to Eliana your loyalty, hard work, and kindness have shaped our dental family in the best way. Cheers to the memories made and the smiles yet to come!! ☺️❤️
#happyanniversary #orthodontist #anniversary
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DEBOND FRIDAY!! Ending the week with some beautiful smiles 😁 

#debondfriday #nomorebraces
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Today we celebrate the 7 year work anniversary to the brain of our office- our favorite financial coordinator Alex! Here’s to you and all the years of dedication, hard work, and heart you’ve given our team! Thank you for everything you do! 🥳💙
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 17856659487483935
Here’s to the first person who greets us with a smile, the one who keeps out days running like clockwork, and the heart of our front desk. Happy Birthday Jackie!!🖤 Today we celebrate YOU the friendly face and the one who makes everything better by being here. Wishing you a day as bright and amazing as the energy you bring to our team everyday! ✨💫🖤
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 17979960212891034
KICK THE SCHOOL YEAR IN STYLE!! We had a blast at the Woodland Hills Back to School Bash!!💫💙 Thank you @woodlandhillsok for having us!! 📚✏️🎓💫
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 18024712004514137
Help us wish a very happy birthday to Mayra 🎉🦷 Our amazing orthodontic assistant who keeps our patients smiling every day and brightens our office with her sweet personality! We’re so lucky to have you on our team 💕
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D E B O N D  F R I D A Y ☀️
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 18081222331913947
We’re so excited to officially welcome our first patients at our new Bixby location! Thank you for letting us be a part of your smile journey-Bixby, we’re just getting started!! 🧡💙 

#orthodontics #braces #smiles #happysmiles
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 18090531892709834
D E B O N D  F R I D A Y ⭐️
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 18035426768677679
SUMMER STORYTIME!! ☀️ @woodlandhillsok
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 17865037161350197
We’re so excited to be opening down in Bixby with Floss Boss!! 🦷💫 @flossbosskids 

#grandopening #dental #floss #ortho #braces
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 18514275922051963
Red, White, and Braces Bright!! 💫 Wishing everyone a sparkling 4th of July don’t forget to show off that star-spangled smile!! 🇺🇸✨
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 18065605703277823
Today we celebrate a decade of dedication, compassion, and countless smiles!! Happy 10-Year Anniversary to Eliana your loyalty, hard work, and kindness have shaped our dental family in the best way. Cheers to the memories made and the smiles yet to come!! ☺️❤️
#happyanniversary #orthodontist #anniversary
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 18049851674410636
DEBOND FRIDAY!! Ending the week with some beautiful smiles 😁 

#debondfriday #nomorebraces
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 18320889568234284
Today we celebrate the 7 year work anniversary to the brain of our office- our favorite financial coordinator Alex! Here’s to you and all the years of dedication, hard work, and heart you’ve given our team! Thank you for everything you do! 🥳💙
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 17856659487483935
Here’s to the first person who greets us with a smile, the one who keeps out days running like clockwork, and the heart of our front desk. Happy Birthday Jackie!!🖤 Today we celebrate YOU the friendly face and the one who makes everything better by being here. Wishing you a day as bright and amazing as the energy you bring to our team everyday! ✨💫🖤
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 17979960212891034
KICK THE SCHOOL YEAR IN STYLE!! We had a blast at the Woodland Hills Back to School Bash!!💫💙 Thank you @woodlandhillsok for having us!! 📚✏️🎓💫
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 18024712004514137
Help us wish a very happy birthday to Mayra 🎉🦷 Our amazing orthodontic assistant who keeps our patients smiling every day and brightens our office with her sweet personality! We’re so lucky to have you on our team 💕
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 18082899166880815
D E B O N D  F R I D A Y ☀️
Open post by truesmileortho with ID 18081222331913947
We’re so excited to officially welcome our first patients at our new Bixby location! Thank you for letting us be a part of your smile journey-Bixby, we’re just getting started!! 🧡💙 

#orthodontics #braces #smiles #happysmiles

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