When starting your Invisalign treatment, it’s easy to focus more on the aligning trays than your oral health. After all, the aligners require that you learn new habits. You need to wear them twenty-two hours per day, remove them before your meals, and change them out at regular dental appointments. However, you still need to floss daily. In fact, the practice is essential during the teeth straightening process. To learn more, here’s a summary of why flossing with Invisalign is important and tips on how to do it.
The Importance of Flossing with Invisalign
When you wear your aligners for the daily twenty-two hours, you create an ideal environment where bacteria can accumulate. Furthermore, your unaligned, overlapping teeth likely don’t allow your toothbrush’s bristles to reach between them. As a result, leftover food and plaque are more likely to cause problems during your treatment.
Fortunately, flossing is the least expensive and most efficient way to clean teeth that overlap. Not only will it clean leftover food from tight gaps, but it’ll also break up plaque buildup that would otherwise get trapped by your aligners. As a result, you’d be reducing your risk for gingivitis, gum disease, and more.
How to Floss with Invisalign
As it happens, your floss technique affects your oral health. That said, here’s a step-by-step guide to flossing with Invisalign:
#1 – Remove Your Aligners
Of course, the first step is removing your clear aligners. Consider soaking them while you eat to ensure they’re clean and bacteria-free.
#2 – Brush Your Teeth
Brush your teeth after each meal to remove stray food particles. While it won’t get all debris, the process will remove a large percentage.
#3 – Rinse Your Mouth
Break food particles loose by swishing water or mouthwash in your mouth. Do so thoroughly and repeat as many times as necessary.
#4 – Floss Your Teeth
The flossing itself will involve a thing string gliding between your teeth. Done rightly, it’ll remove food particles, plaque, tartar, and bacteria. Here are some tips for doing it correctly:
- Use a piece of dental floss about 18 cm long.
- Wrap the ends of the string around your fingers, leaving a few inches to work between your teeth.
- Glide the floss between your teeth and up towards the gum line.
- Work the floss around the area by creating a “C” with the string and using an up-down motion.
- Once you’re done with one tooth, repeat the tips above until you’ve cleaned between all your teeth.
Flossing is something you should do even without Invisalign. As such, remember the steps and tips above so your smile will end up straight *and* healthy!
About the Author
Dr. Mariya Barnett is a dentist in Dallas, TX. She primarily offers preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry in her work. However, she is also a certified Invisalign provider. She is a recipient of the American College of Dentists Award and was twice named one of D Magazine’s Best Dentists of Dallas. Dr. Barnett currently practices at her self-titled clinic and is reachable at her website or by phone at (469)-874-0469.