A. Can You Get Your Teeth Cleaned with Braces
With so many questions about teeth cleaning with braces, we thought it would be a good idea to create this article to answer all your questions such as: B. “Can you clean your teeth with braces?”.
1. Why is it important to clean your teeth with braces?
Can you brush your teeth with braces? Yes – and you absolutely have to do that. Two essential factors illustrate the importance of cleaning teeth with braces:
- Time. How long does a brace last? Some people can wear braces for 2 years or even longer. With a minimum duration of 6 months, this is sufficient time for plaque and tartar to form. Over 6 months – 2 years, regular cleanings are highly recommended.
- The plate factor. As mentioned briefly above, plaque and tartar like to hide near the back of each tooth and under the wires and ligaments. Without a disciplined regimen of care (at home and at The Super Dentists) tooth decay will eventually form. Some people think it’s not possible to clean your teeth with braces, but you can – and we’ll show you how below!
2. How often to brush your teeth with braces
Can you brush your teeth with braces? Well, it can be difficult to do a really thorough cleaning on your own, so Super Dentists recommend visiting one of our offices for a teeth cleaning at least 2-3 times a year. Other patients may need more cleanings, depending on things like a hereditary tooth decay tendency, how well they take care of their teeth at home, and other factors.
3. What to expect when brushing your teeth with braces
Even if you have braces, there is nothing “special” to look forward to during your appointment. Like any other tooth cleaning appointment, a tooth cleaning appointment with braces follows the same procedure. The only (small) difference may be a slightly longer time in the chair as our dental hygienist may need more time to clean in and around your equipment. That means all you have to do is sit back, relax and breathe. Let the super dentists (or hygienists) do the rest!
4. Tooth cleaning with braces
Let’s go through some key points about cleaning teeth with braces, including how to clean teeth with braces and some quick tips for your routine at home.
5. How dentists brush teeth with braces
Do orthodontists brush your teeth? And the dentists? The answer is none of the above. At The Super Dentists we have highly qualified dental hygienists who take care of the cleaning of all braces. Depending on the type of braces you have, the hygienist will gently flush the water between the bands and the teeth to remove the bacteria that cause plaque and tartar. Gentle flossing is also performed to keep your gums free of food debris and clean. Can you brush your teeth with braces? When you visit The Super Dentists, there is no doubt!
6. Basic tips for a home routine with braces
Here are three basic things you can do to ensure a thorough cleaning with braces:
- Brush (and brush more): Try brushing your teeth after every snack or meal. If this is not possible, brush at least twice a day to keep plaque away.
- Don’t forget dental floss: Flossing is a little tricky with braces, but maintaining a healthy smile (even with braces) is worth it! Insert one end of the floss between the top of the bracket and the gum and gently move the floss back and forth. Repeat as needed.
- Watch your diet: Avoid sugary and sticky substances as these are breeding grounds for bacteria, plaque and tartar. If you want to treat yourself, a quick rinse with water will at least lessen the effect of that occasional treatment until your next brushing.
B. What To Expect At Your Dental Cleaning When You Have Braces
When you wear braces it is almost inevitable that you will encounter some problem at some point during the treatment. Wearing braces can affect more than just your looks. In fact, your speech and oral hygiene are probably the two areas most affected by this treatment. Nevertheless, these patients must maintain good oral hygiene, difficult as it may seem. In this article, you’ll learn the importance of having your teeth cleaned near you while you’re wearing braces.
1. Oral hygiene while using braces
Oral health habits become more important than ever when you wear braces. This is because plaque and tartar accumulate more easily around your braces, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Dentists recommend brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste after each meal and flossing daily. It’s very easy for food to get stuck between your teeth and braces, so be careful when brushing your teeth. Some people find it difficult to floss while wearing braces. A large part of good oral hygiene depends on regular check-ups at a Toronto dentist. These should be more common in people undergoing orthodontic treatment than in the general population as they are more prone to plaque and tartar buildup. It is generally recommended that these patients visit their dentist every 3 months for a routine teeth cleaning.
2. What does that mean?
If you’re about to have your teeth cleaned in Toronto and are wearing braces, you can rest assured that while it may seem like an intimidating procedure, your dentist is qualified to perform it. They will be extremely gentle and careful to avoid any damage or discomfort to your device. First, your dentist will apply a numbing cream to your gums to relieve discomfort. They then use a dental instrument called a scaler to remove all plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, the gum line, and around each bracket. Here you will find the largest accumulation. After completing this step, they will floss gently, trying not to touch the wires. This is made possible by a looping tool.
As the final step in cleaning your teeth in Toronto, your dentist or oral hygienist will perform a fluoride treatment. A splint with fluoride gel or foam is applied to the teeth. This chemical is very beneficial for oral health as it can remineralize and strengthen the enamel, the outer layer of tooth affected by decay. In addition, it prevents bacterial growth on the tooth surface. Teeth cleaning is a prophylactic procedure. However, as the dentist removes plaque and tartar, they thoroughly examine your mouth, looking for signs of dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. If they find any problems, they can suggest other treatments.
3. What to expect after the procedure
After a teeth cleaning at a Toronto dental office, you can expect sore gums due to the steps required to remove plaque and tartar. Also, your gums may bleed on the first day, but they heal quickly. It’s important not to eat or drink anything within an hour after the procedure, as this can reduce the effectiveness of the fluoride treatment. Additionally, it’s important to maintain excellent oral hygiene habits to limit the amount of plaque that builds up around your braces.
C. How Your Dentist Cleans Your Teeth During Braces
Braces are a useful tool in orthodontic treatment, but they can pose a challenge to oral hygiene. With brackets, wires and bands, the patient is often overwhelmed trying to remove plaque from all the hardware and sometimes finds that a toothbrush alone is an ineffective tool. While home hygiene habits are crucial when wearing braces, regular check-ups and cleanings in the dental office are also necessary.
1. Cleaning mechanisms
Some patients are unaware that a dentist or hygienist can clean teeth with braces and orthodontic wires. However, this is arguably one of the most critical moments in a patient’s life when it comes to diligently meeting dental hygiene appointments. Equipment cleaning methods include air powder polishing, prophy paste polishing and ultrasonic scaling.
2. Polishing with air powder
This procedure uses a special instrument that mixes powder (usually baking soda) with water to form a paste that removes plaque and stains. The instrument uses gentle pulses of this powder and water mixture to clean areas of the tooth that cannot be reached with traditional instruments. This method is useful for cleaning under and around brackets.
3. Polishing paste for prophylaxis
When patients think of brushing their teeth, they typically think of a classic polish with a prophy paste. This is the polishing technique used during regular cleaning appointments for people without braces, but it can also be effective around braces. There are special angled brushes to help you maneuver the orthodontic wires, and the different flavors of polishing paste can make the experience more appealing to younger patients.
4. Ultrasound Sizing
Ultrasonic scalers use water to remove plaque around devices; A low power setting is used to provide a flushing effect without damaging teeth or surrounding tissues. The ultrasonic scraper can also administer a medicated rinse to soothe gums irritated by brackets and bands. A dentist may recommend this if your gums are bleeding profusely or have grown around the brackets.
5. Why cleanings are important during orthodontic treatment
If cleaning is not attempted during orthodontic treatment, plaque can build up around the braces and cause the enamel to become soft and decayed. It can require expensive treatment to repair teeth in this condition after braces are removed, so it is important that oral hygiene is maintained throughout the process.
Although plaque does not cause tooth decay, it can leave white stains on your teeth after braces are removed, giving your teeth a stained appearance. Using a fluoridated toothpaste and rinse can help prevent these white spots from appearing, as long as oral hygiene is not neglected. If the orthodontist determines that the patient’s dental hygiene is poor, they may recommend removing the braces until daily hygiene habits improve.
6. Conclusion
The device helps people of all ages achieve a straight and attractive smile, but if hygiene is neglected during orthodontic treatment, the consequences for the patient’s oral health can be detrimental. To maximize the benefits of orthodontics, it is important that patients make daily brushing, flossing, and regular cleaning appointments with a licensed dentist a high priority.
