{"id":584,"date":"2024-05-14T13:58:52","date_gmt":"2024-05-14T13:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winthropsmiles.com\/blog\/?p=584"},"modified":"2024-05-14T13:58:54","modified_gmt":"2024-05-14T13:58:54","slug":"flossing-with-invisalign-step-by-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winthropsmiles.com\/blog\/flossing-with-invisalign-step-by-step-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Flossing with Invisalign: A Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Although you had metal braces years ago as a teen, you can still recall how cumbersome flossing was with those brackets and wires. You had to maneuver awkwardly around them to get bits of food out after every meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, as an adult, you are considering Invisalign<\/a>, but you worry about having to fit in oral hygiene into your routine and how inconvenient flossing will become during treatment. Well, you can put those worries to rest\u2014flossing with Invisalign is easy! Here\u2019s how flossing works on Invisalign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Remove the Aligners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You have been instructed to wear your aligners for most of the day, but you can\u2019t access your teeth while you have the aligners in! Other than eating meals, it\u2019s okay to remove the aligners to perform oral hygiene, including flossing. When you take them out, be sure to place them in your case. Because they are clear, Invisalign trays can be easily misplaced and lost, which is why the case is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Brush Your Teeth First<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you can floss, you need to make sure the main surfaces of your teeth are clean. Trace remnants of food and beverages can linger on your teeth, and if you put your aligners back on without fully cleaning your teeth, these can allow bacteria to form cavities or a gum infection to set in. As a result, you\u2019ll need to brush for about two minutes to clear away plaque and bits of food through brushing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Floss Your Teeth as Usual<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, with tiny spaces in between teeth, it\u2019s all too easy for little pieces of food to get stuck or accumulate in these areas, causing trouble for your smile. That\u2019s why flossing is just as important as brushing during Invisalign treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compared to flossing with traditional braces, flossing with Invisalign is a breeze because the aligners are removeable. Flossing is the same. However, in case you need a refresher on flossing technique, here are the basic steps you need to take to clean in between your teeth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n