Best Practices When Taking Care Of Your Teeth With Braces

While it’s important to visit us for your regular orthodontic treatments, you should also be keeping up with routine dental cleanings and exams, as well. Your dentist will be able to clean your teeth and check for any dental problems, even around your braces.

If you have braces, the chances of food getting stuck in your teeth and causing plaque increases. Even if you brush regularly, it’s easy for your toothbrush to miss spots. Flossing can prove difficult with the metal wire in the way, as well. During your dental cleaning, however, your dentist will be able to remove any plaque and tartar and give you tips on how to keep up with your dental hygiene at home.

Another reason to keep up with your routine dental appointments is so your dentist can monitor your teeth for decalcification. These are white spots that appear on the teeth around the bracket area as well as along the gumline. Decalcification occurs more frequently with braces wearers because the toothbrush can’t reach the tooth surface, leaving the bacteria to sit on your teeth. The white spots are a result of the enamel being eaten away by the bacteria.

If you do have any dental issues such as tooth decay or gum disease while wearing braces, you don’t want to put off treatment until you have your braces taken off. While your orthodontic treatment will result in straighter teeth, you also want to keep your teeth clean and free of decay throughout the process.

If you have any tooth pain, please contact us as soon as possible. Tooth pain is not normal and should be addressed right away. After we take a look at the affected tooth, we will be able to determine whether it’s an issue with the orthodontic appliance or if you will need to be seen by a dentist.

At The Best Braces, we make sure that our patients in the Southfield, MI get the best orthodontic care possible. Please call us at 248-965-5238 to schedule an appointment for a consultation today.