Both your dentist and your orthodontist are irreplaceable! Your dentist shouldn’t take the place of your orthodontist, and your orthodontist shouldn’t take the place of your dentist.
Your regular orthodontic check-ins (with Dr. Wiewiora or Dr. Dunn) and your regular dental cleanings with your dentist are both essential for creating the beautiful smile you’re looking for.
Here are two tips for visiting the dentist during orthodontic treatment!
Tip #1: Visit your dentist every 6 months.
Tip 1 to achieve a perfect smile is visiting your dentist every 6 months for professional cleanings. If your dentist advises you to visit them more frequently, then visit them as often as they tell you!
Your dentist monitors your oral hygiene and he or she is able to see things in your smile that you aren’t able to, so it’s important that you listen to your dentist’s guidance.
Professional cleanings are essential for detecting and intervening with problematic conditions, like gum disease or tooth decay, before they progress and possibly become irreversible. These cleanings are also one of the only ways you can remove harmful plaque and tartar from the teeth.
As plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth and harden, they can be near impossible to remove without the right tools. When you add orthodontic treatment to the mix, your teeth can be increasingly prone to bacteria growth around your brackets or under your aligners.
Tip #2: Get your teeth cleaned as soon as your braces or Invisalign treatment is complete too.
Teeth cleaning after braces and Invisalign can leave you with a sparkly, radiant smile! As soon as your braces are removed or you take your clear aligners out for the last time is the perfect time to get another dental cleaning.
If you wore traditional metal braces, ceramic braces or gold braces bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth, you may notice some discolored spots on your teeth when your braces are removed. This is totally normal and a professional dental cleaning should take care of this.
You can also whiten your teeth once your braces are removed to eliminate these spots!
Can you get your teeth cleaned with braces on?
So we know that we can have our teeth cleaned as soon as our braces are removed, but what about when your braces are still on your teeth? Can you get your teeth cleaned?
Yes, you can! Your orthodontic treatment shouldn’t impact your dental health. Your regular cleanings are as important as ever.
Dentists are prepared to work around your brackets and wires! They use special dental tools to remove hardened plaque on your teeth, between your teeth, on your brackets, and around your brackets.
They know how to floss between your teeth and archwires effectively, without damaging your appliances. In some cases, we may temporarily remove your archwires if your dentist needs to reach a certain area.
Teeth cleaning with braces will take a little longer than when you didn’t have braces, but it’s important that your dentist has time to clean your teeth thoroughly.
Can you get X-rays with braces?
Yes, you can! You should have X-rays taken regularly, as advised by your dentist. Although your braces are made of metal brackets and wires, they’re safe to undergo X-rays.
Routine X-rays are important for detecting tooth decay (cavities) that may not be apparent at first glance.
Teeth Cleaning with Invisalign
Dental cleanings are a bit easier with Invisalign. That’s because you get to remove your clear aligners for your regular dental cleanings. There won’t be any brackets or wires for your dentist to work around!
Although cleaning braces will require some additional care (because food particles can get trapped between your brackets and wires), cleaning your teeth with Invisalign is no different than cleaning your teeth without Invisalign. You’ll remove your clear aligners to brush your teeth, floss your teeth and eat food, so you won’t have to make many adjustments to your oral care routine.
Have questions about dental cleaning with braces or Invisalign?
We’re here to answer all of your questions! Knowing how to clean your teeth with braces and knowing what to expect during your regular teeth cleanings with braces will help you to achieve the best possible results from your treatment.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We’re here to guide you through your treatment process, from your very first visit, to your last appointment.
If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Longwood or Lake Mary, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.
