How to Use Water Flosser with Braces

how to use water flosser with braces

You probably don’t need a dentist to tell you that good oral hygiene is of top importance. But it’s even more important if you have braces. Regular brushing could help, but it is not easy to remove plaque around dental braces. A water flosser is what you need to effectively clean teeth while improving gum health.

A water flosser is a handheld oral health device designed for dental care at home.  It removes food from between teeth by producing a stream of water in a steady pulse. What’s good about this appliance is that it has been tested to be safe and effective in getting plaque away, and they are super effective with braces.

In this post, learn how to use water flosser with braces and see what benefits you can get.

Find it Difficult to Floss With Your Braces?

A water flosser is great for all kinds of orthodontic appliances! Water goes where string floss cannot. 

Related: Best Water Flosser for Braces

The Need for Cleaning Dental Braces

Implementing good oral hygiene cannot be ignored. It doesn’t just save your teeth from decay but can also prevent very serious diseases. Good dental and orthodontic care is essential in keeping a smile sweet all the time. Especially when you have braces, which provide more area for plaque to grow, you are at risk of any number of painful dental conditions.

Common Diseases Linked to Poor Oral Hygiene

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is known as one of the first signs of gum disease. If your gums bleed easily and appear to be red and swollen (maybe even shiny), it could be a sign of Gingivitis. The primary reason why this kind of gum problem occurs is plaque. Plaque could irritate the tissue of the gum and create an infection. It is better to remove even the smallest plaque on the teeth to prevent a more serious tooth problem.

Decalcification

Lesions or spots of whiteness on the teeth could be a sign of decalcification. Decalcification happens in your tooth enamel. A buildup of plaque and overabundance of acid are the top causes of this disease. This is why everyone is being advised to clean their teeth after every meal. If you think you can correct it with ease, you’re wrong. So do your best to prevent it from the very beginning.

Poor oral hygiene is also linked to heart disease and respiratory diseases such as pneumonia. It can also affect the brain which may result in a disease known as dementia.  

This is how important it is to clean teeth. But realistically, cleaning and flossing teeth is a pain. Good thing there is an easier option – water flossing.

How to Use a Water Flosser

Brushing your teeth helps a lot in scrubbing plaque away in order to protect teeth and gums from annoying teeth issues. However, your teeth have little nooks and crannies a toothbrush can never reach. Using water flosser is great to make sure no part of the teeth is neglected.

A water flosser shoots a strong pulse of liquid essential in removing hard and sticky plaque without hurting the gums. Consider a mixture of mouthwash and water for an extra fresh experience.

To know how to use water flosser with braces is an important skill. Gums are not meant to bleed with just water, which is why it’s important to operate your flosser correctly. Here is how to do it.

  • Step 1 – Fill the reservoir
    You can use warm water to fill the reservoir. Secure your device to the base then connect your chosen tip to the handle. For first time users, you may set the pressure control dial to high then point the tip into the sink. Check if the water flows by turning the device on.
  • Step 2 – Set the device
    Always start with the lowest pressure setting. Make sure to place your head above the sink first before placing the tip in your mouth. This is to avoid mess up and to make sure you can clean your mouth at its best.
  • Step 3 – Start cleaning
    Once you have the device ready, turn it on. Close your lips in order to reduce splashback. Let the water out from your mouth in a few minutes into the sink. Don’t forget to clean your gum line. Just point the tips towards your gum line and wash it all over.
  • Step 4 – Turn it off
    When you’re done with the cleaning, turn the unit off. This is the proper way to ensure the product will last. You can remove the tip using a simple button on most models. How to use water flosser with braces is easy. However, it is great to read the user’s manual for better use of the product.

Please be advised that there are different water flosser models. Some of them do have an in-handle pause or on/off switch to stop the water flow. You can even aim the tip using the rotating base.

The Benefits of Using a Water Flosser with Braces

Safe and Gentle

Whether you have braces or dental restorations and implants, a water flosser can be used without risk. A controllable pulse of water provides a gentle effect on the gums and teeth giving a superior reduction in plaque, bleeding, Gingivitis, and other diseases.

Easy to Use

A water flosser is much easier to use than string flossing. All you need to do is to position the tip in your mouth and you’re good to go. One reason is that there is less manual dexterity required and it takes only a minute to cleanse the whole mouth. This device can be a great investment as it can be used for almost any age.

Highly Effective

Water flossers can be used to great effect to keep orthodontic appliances clean. Maintaining the cleanliness of braces can be hard but water flossers can make it easier. In fact, adolescents who used this kind of oral hygiene reduced plaque at thrice the rate of others who used manual tools. Remember, learning how to use water flosser with braces is important not just to cleanse the mouth but also to save a smile.

Final Words

Removing plaque in between teeth does not need to be hard. A water flosser is designed to do the job without compromising the gums. Many people find this device to be more pleasant to use. If you have no idea how to use water flosser with braces, we hope this post has set you on track.

Ready to floss the teeth the gentle way? Turn a to water flosser!

Find it Difficult to Floss With Your Braces?

A water flosser is great for all kinds of orthodontic appliances! Water goes where string floss cannot. 

Related: Best Water Flosser for Braces

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