VCU Dental Student Wins $10K for Braces Flossing Invention

Christina Gordon's Proxy-Flosser prototype aims to make flossing easier for those with orthodontic work.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:08pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image revealing the internal structure of teeth with braces, conceptually illustrating the challenges of maintaining oral hygiene with orthodontic appliances.An innovative dental device aims to make flossing easier for those undergoing orthodontic treatment.Richmond Today

A dental student at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia has been awarded $10,000 by her school to develop a prototype for her invention, the Proxy-Flosser, which is designed to help people with braces more easily floss between their teeth.

Why it matters

Maintaining proper dental hygiene can be challenging for those with orthodontic work like braces, leading to increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Gordon's invention aims to address this common issue faced by many orthodontic patients.

The details

Christina Gordon, a VCU dental student, first developed the idea for the Proxy-Flosser to make flossing more accessible and effective for those wearing braces. The device is designed to help users floss between teeth without the difficulty of maneuvering traditional floss around brackets and wires.

  • Gordon first developed the Proxy-Flosser idea 5 years ago.

The players

Christina Gordon

A dental student at Virginia Commonwealth University who invented the Proxy-Flosser to help people with braces floss more easily.

Virginia Commonwealth University

The university in Richmond, Virginia that awarded Gordon $10,000 to develop a prototype of her Proxy-Flosser invention.

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What’s next

Gordon plans to continue refining the Proxy-Flosser prototype with the goal of eventually bringing the product to market to help orthodontic patients improve their dental hygiene.

The takeaway

This student-led innovation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by those with braces and the potential for new products to make daily dental care more accessible and effective for orthodontic patients.