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Home › Flossing Braces

Flossing Braces
Posted on 9/15/2026 by NC Pediatric Dentistry
Girl flossing with bracesKeeping your teeth clean when you have braces can feel like a real challenge. Food gets stuck, and brushing alone just doesn't seem to cut it. That's where flossing comes in! Flossing with braces is essential for healthy teeth and gums during orthodontic treatment. Think of it as a superhero power for your smile, protecting it from the villains of plaque and decay.

Why is Flossing So Important with Braces?


Braces create many nooks and crannies where food particles and plaque can hide. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth. If plaque isn't removed regularly, it can lead to:

•  Cavities: Plaque acids eat away at the enamel of your teeth, causing holes.
•  Gum Disease (Gingivitis): Plaque irritates your gums, making them red, swollen, and prone to bleeding.
•  White Spots: These are areas of decalcification on your teeth that can appear after braces are removed.

Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth and along the gumline, areas your toothbrush can't reach effectively when you have braces. This prevents these problems and ensures a healthier, brighter smile after your braces come off.

The Right Tools for the Job


Flossing with braces might seem tricky, but with the right tools and technique, it becomes much easier. Here are some helpful items:

•  Floss Threaders: These are small, plastic loops that help you guide the floss under your archwire (the wire that connects the brackets).
•  Interdental Brushes (Proxy Brushes): These small, cone-shaped brushes are great for cleaning around brackets and between teeth.
•  Waxed Floss: Waxed floss slides more easily between teeth and around brackets than unwaxed floss.

Step-by-Step Flossing Guide


Here’s a simple guide to flossing with braces:

1~ Thread the Floss: Take about 18 inches of floss and thread it through a floss threader.
2~ Guide the Floss: Gently insert the floss threader under the archwire between two teeth. Pull the floss through so you have floss on both sides of the wire.
3~ Floss Between Teeth: Carefully slide the floss up and down against the side of each tooth, going below the gumline. Use a gentle "C" shape to hug the tooth.
4~ Repeat: Remove the floss and repeat the process for each tooth. You'll need to re-thread the floss under the archwire for each space between your teeth.
5~ Use an Interdental Brush: After flossing, use an interdental brush to clean around your brackets and between your teeth for extra plaque removal.

Tips for Success


•  Be Patient: It might take some practice to get the hang of flossing with braces. Don't get discouraged!
•  Be Gentle: Avoid snapping the floss, as this can damage your gums.
•  Be Consistent: Aim to floss at least once a day, preferably before bed.
•  Take Your Time: Don't rush the process. Spend a few minutes flossing each tooth carefully.
•  Ask for Help: If you're having trouble flossing, ask your dental professional for tips and demonstrations.

A Worthwhile Effort


Flossing with braces may seem like a chore, but it's an investment in your oral health. By taking the time to floss properly, you're protecting your teeth and gums from damage and ensuring a beautiful, healthy smile for years to come. The extra effort you put in now will definitely pay off when your braces are removed!

Smiles from ear-to-ear with locations from here-to-here.


Our community of dentistry superheroes prioritizes smiles above all else—theirs AND yours. That’s why we make it easy to find the location that’s right for you. Learn what to expect for your first visit, virtually tour the space, meet the dentists, and discover location-specific specialties and resources below.


Advance Pediatric Dentistry


135 Medical Drive
Advance, NC
(743) 259-8887

Afton Pediatric Dentistry


5641 Poplar Tent Rd. Suite 201
Concord, NC
(980) 291-4013

Caldwell Pediatric Dentistry


210 Willow Street NW
Lenoir, NC
(828) 383-0322

Denver Pediatric Dentistry


275 NC-16 Business Suite 204B
Denver, NC
(980) 303-5083

Dunn Pediatric Dentistry


711 Tilghman Drive
Dunn, NC
(910) 984-0026

Fuquay Pediatric Dentistry


401 Attain Street Suite 111
Fuquay-Varina, NC
(984) 313-4086

Hickory Grove Pediatric Dentistry


5708 North Sharon Amity Rd. Suite 5708a
Charlotte, NC
(980) 369-2014

Huntersville Pediatric Dentistry


9625 Northcross Center Ct. Suite 101
Huntersville, NC
(980) 306-6635

Locust Pediatric Dentistry


236 Market Street Suite 200
Locust, NC
(980) 354-0784

Mebane Pediatric Dentistry


1107 S. Fifth St. # 100
Mebane, NC
(984) 290-5016

Mint Hill Pediatric Dentistry


9055 Cresswind Blvd. Suite 104
Charlotte, NC
(980) 369-2032

Mooresville Pediatric Dentistry


202 Williamson Rd. Suite 200
Mooresville, NC
(980) 455-4053

Salisbury Pediatric Dentistry


140 Mahaley Avenue Suite B
Salisbury, NC
(980) 305-5002

Shelby Pediatric Dentistry


221 Simpson Park Rd.
Shelby, NC
(980) 436-2483

Sherrills Ford Pediatric Dentistry


7856 Village Center N Suite 200
Sherrills Ford, NC
(980) 291-9087

Statesville Pediatric Dentistry


1454 Fern Creek Drive
Statesville, NC
(980) 391-2407





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