If you have braces, you’re probably very excited about seeing your brand new smile. However, that smile might not be as bright as you thought if you don’t take proper care of your teeth during your orthodontic treatment.
While your at home dental hygiene routine may change a little while you have braces (we’ll do a separate post with tips about that), your in-office dental routine should not. What we mean is, just because you have braces doesn’t mean you don’t have to come in for your cleaning.
This is a surprisingly common misconception. Many patients (or their parents) think that because they are going in for orthodontic checkups on a regular basis that they don’t have to see the dentist or hygienist for a cleaning. If anything goes wrong, the orthodontist will take care of it, right?
Well, certainly the orthodontist will tell you if they see something that isn’t right, but rather than take this reactive approach, it’s much better to be proactive about your oral hygiene when you have braces.
During orthodontic treatment there is a lot of hardware in your mouth, and all those brackets and wires create new nooks and crannies and corners for plaque and tartar to build up. Certain kinds of dental gunk are too stubborn for your toothbrush and floos to handle: you’ll need a professional cleaning at the dentist to get rid of these deposits. If they are not cleaned off properly, you could end up with staining and discoloration, not to mention cavities, that will ruin the perfect smile you’ve waited so long for.
So while you may be getting a lot of attention from the dentist during your orthodontic appointments, you still need regular checkups in order to keep your teeth clean and healthy. You should maintain your usual interval of teeth cleaning visits. The dentist may ask that you come in more often that usual while you have braces. In the end, a few extra visits to the dentist will be well worth it when you see your new smile!
Appointments Before & After Work or School & on Saturdays & Sundays!
Request Online or Call Today!
Related Posts
The Truth About Breath Mints
Many people use breath mints to keep their breath fresh throughout the day, but did you know that breath mints can actually contribute to tooth decay?
The Importance of Dental Exams
You probably know that it’s important to visit your dentist regularly for teeth cleanings to help prevent tooth decay, but did you know that a visit to your dentist has other benefits?
The Healing Power of Water
Water is one of the foundational substances of our planet, vital for all living things. Our bodies require water to keep all the complex systems functioning properly. Have you ever noticed that one of the most common pieces of health advice is to hydrate?