How to floss under permanent retainer without threader

Now that your orthodontic treatment is complete, permanent retainers will be placed on your teeth. A permanent retainer is a small wire that is glued behind the back of the front teeth. There are two types of permanent retainers one that is glued to each individual tooth, and another that is glued only to the teeth on the ends.

A floss threader is a helpful tool to floss both types of retainers. First pass a piece of floss through the threader, and then insert beneath the wire. Pull the floss forward until it's beneath the retainer what's beneath the wire floss as you normally would.

If the wire is glued to each individual tooth, you will need to pull the floss out, and then be inserted between each tooth.

If the wire is glued to just the teeth on the end, then you will be able to pull the floss through once and then continue to floss, all of the teeth behind the wire.

Make sure to floss beneath your retainer every day. With practice, this will become quick and easy.

Congratulations again on completing your orthodontic treatment!

DO YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR PERMANENT RETAINER?

Call or text your nearest Beglin Orthodontics location today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team of orthodontic experts. They can teach you how to clean your retainer, schedule you with our awesome orthodontist for important recall visits and repair any problems with your retainer. For your convenience, we have orthodontist offices in Carson City, Dayton, Yerington, Mammoth Lakes or Bishop

You have probably arrived at this blog post as you want to know the best practises when it comes to flossing with a retainer.

Flossing is super important in your oral health program. Braces and retainers make it hard to reach hiding nasties like tooth decay and gingivitis. The floss and the technique are key to getting as much protection as possible.  Flossing with a permanent retainer is hard and needs concentration.  Firstly, let’s look at what a permanent retainer is. 

  • Can I Floss With a Permanent Retainer?
    • When Should I Floss?
  • Permanent Retainers
  • Is it hard to floss with permanent retainers?
  • How do you use dental floss with a permanent retainer?
      • Flossing String
      • Flossing Threader
  • Can You Use a Waterpik with a Permanent Retainer?
  • FLOSSING HINTS:
    • Retainer Cleaning
    • Dental Visits
    • Dietary Restrictions
  • Conclusion

Can I Floss With a Permanent Retainer?

In short yes you can, but let’s delve a little deeper.

When Should I Floss?

Once a day at the minimum. Flossing with a retainer needs to be a habit. It will remove plaque and prevent any future damage to them or gums. Retainers will trap food particles more often than normal so the methods you use will pay dividends in the future. 

Permanent Retainers

A permanent retainer is fitted when the straightening is completed. Some may have removable retainers but those who have undergone a large amount of tooth alteration and jaw movement during treatment will have a permanent retainer fitted. 

A metal wire is placed behind your teeth. You cannot see it as it is behind the tooth. It is designed for life and will be held on with dental glue. The ability to floss with this device is affected and needs to be overseen in younger patients. 

Is it hard to floss with permanent retainers?

If you use floss threaders, flossing with permanent retainers is simple. Practice and good dexterity may be all it takes. Please don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t physically able to do it. Nevertheless, it will take a while for it to become an easy habit.

How do you use dental floss with a permanent retainer?

You need two tools to ensure oral health while wearing a retainer. Permanent retainers make it too difficult to use normal flossing tools. Every day flossing is a one-handed operation. With the following, you need both hands. 

  • Flossing String
  • Flossing Threader

Flossing String

Flossing string is a reusable dental floss that you can work between. Hold the string at each end and work forward and back to work the trapped food debris out from the gaps. 

Flossing Threader

A flossing threader is a flexible plastic tool. It has an “L” shape curve at one end. Slide the thread through this loop. You may be familiar with a needle and thread, it is much the same operation. 

Can You Use a Waterpik with a Permanent Retainer?

Waterpiks are recommended by many dentists to make flossing easier with permanent retainers. With the help of pressured jets of water, food particles are removed from between your teeth and underneath your permanent retainer. The waterpik is a good substitute for flossing, but they are expensive.

FLOSSING HINTS:

Use a mirror so you can see what you’re doing and set the equipment set up. Rinse away bad things first, mouthwash will render the mouth clean and a good place to start. 

Place your flossing string through the loop on the floss threader and use a narrow end to maneuver it over top of the retainer. Move back and forth, repeat all the way through the mouth. 

Hold each end in either hand. Make back and forth motions to remove food particles from inside that can cause gum disease. 

The floss needs removing before moving on to the next tooth. Don’t unthread it over a permanent retainer. Thread through one front tooth then another after.

Retainer Cleaning

It is important to keep both the mouth and retainer clean. Brush around and on the retainer. The more you concentrate on the fact that there is metal in your mouth the cleaner it will remain. For removable retainers the task is slightly easier. 

Dental Visits

Dental visits are very important. A dentist’s expertise will help you prevent oral health issues. An issue with a tooth may mean the permanent retainer will affect how the tooth is dealt with and may even mean the temporary removal of the retainer until the tooth issue has been corrected.

Dietary Restrictions

Toffees and candies are a NO-NO with a permanent retainer. They and other hard foods can damage the retainer and therefore the durability of the device. Your teeth are held in place by the retainer, any issue will mean the perfect straight line you paid lots of money for will be affected. 

Conclusion

Retention is important for those who have completed orthodontic treatment. Dr. Gluck and his team know how to guide you through the wearing of a permanent retainer and how to care for your mouth once the device is fitted with retainer cleaning and flossing techniques. 

Gluck Orthodontics is a trusted name in orthodontic care. Dr. Gluck is a board-certified orthodontic specialist (a distinction only one-quarter of all practicing orthodontists today can claim). He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

Here at Gluck Orthodontics, we proudly provide our patients with the very latest in orthodontic care plus a little something extra from the friendly staff that we like to call ‘The Gluck Experience.’

Schedule your initial orthodontic consultation, call us at 615-269-5903. Or visit us online or in person.

How to floss under permanent retainer without threader

Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.

How do you floss between permanent retainers without threading?

How to Floss a Permanent Retainer Using Superfloss. Superfloss is essentially a piece of floss with one stiff end. Superfloss works similarly to a floss threader, only you don't need to do the “needle and thread” process. You simply take the stiff end of floss, guide it beneath your retainer, and floss your teeth.

What can I use instead of a floss threader?

Interdental Brushes: Like tiny toothbrushes, specially designed to clean between your teeth, these brushes are a great alternative to flossing. Interdental brushes are usually easier to use than a thread of floss, are just as effective as floss, and are probably your best option if you have braces.

Can't floss because of permanent retainer?

Flossing With A Permanent Retainer Slide the threader under your retainer, then grab the floss to hug up and down each tooth individually. Be sure to talk to your dentist or hygienist if you're having trouble with flossing permanent retainers.

How do you clean under a permanent retainer?

First pass a piece of floss through the threader, and then insert beneath the wire. Pull the floss forward until it's beneath the retainer what's beneath the wire floss as you normally would. If the wire is glued to each individual tooth, you will need to pull the floss out, and then be inserted between each tooth.