WHEN WE SKIP FLOSSING, we’re leaving 35% of our tooth surfaces untouched. No matter how good we are at brushing, a toothbrush simply can’t reach the spots between teeth or beneath the gumline, so any plaque or food debris stuck there will remain. This is especially true for orthodontic patients with braces, because there are even more places where food can get stuck out of reach of a toothbrush! 😬 While flossing is even more crucial for braces-wearers, it can also be harder to do. That’s where floss threaders can help. If needed, use the floss threader to get the floss past the braces. Then curve the floss around the tooth in a C-shape and move it up and down ↕️ to scrape away plaque, including under the gumline. Do this in both directions for each tooth. Flossing shouldn’t hurt, so be thorough but gentle. For any orthodontic patient who has struggled to make flossing a daily habit, floss threaders aren’t the only tools to make it easier. Floss picks and water flossers are great ...