Having braces immediately complicates your dental care, as you have to account for brushing and flossing around all of the parts of braces. However, with routine visits to the orthodontist, some patients gain the misconception that they don’t need to visit the dentist while they have braces. Make no mistake: you should continue visiting the dentist like normal during your braces treatment! Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the dentist with braces.
Can I still go to the dentist with braces?
Yes, you can still go to the dentist with braces! Your orthodontist will monitor and adjust your braces treatment over time, but they are not focused on your dental hygiene like your dentist. Therefore, you still need to go to the dentist for routine cleanings and related services. The good news is that your dentist will still be able to provide you with your usual dental hygiene services while you have braces! Most dentists are well-experienced when it comes to caring for teeth with braces and other appliances, so you can rest assured that your visits will be as beneficial as always. In fact, your dentist may be able to provide additional insight and hygiene tips for keeping your teeth healthy while you have braces.
How often do you have to visit the dentist with braces?
You should visit the dentist just as often as you normally would while you have braces. Health professionals agree that everyone should visit the dentist at least twice a year, or every 6 months. However, if you are struggling with your dental hygiene or experience dental health issues unrelated to your braces, it’s reasonable to visit the dentist on a more frequent basis.
Does teeth cleaning hurt with braces?
Teeth cleaning should not hurt with braces, but it is possible that you experience some discomfort if you have your teeth cleaned soon after a visit with your orthodontist. The reason for this is that many patients experience temporary soreness in the teeth after first receiving braces and after their braces are tightened. If you visit your dentist for a cleaning after these orthodontic visits, your teeth may still be sore. When this is the case, it’s possible that your teeth cleaning will be a little more uncomfortable than usual. However, it’s unlikely that teeth cleaning will hurt with braces!
How do dental cleanings work with braces?
Dental cleanings with braces are performed much like dental cleanings without braces. As always, your dentist’s goal will be to remove plaque and other debris that has accumulated on and around the teeth. The exception with braces is that you likely have some plaque building up on the brackets, too! This means that your dentist may spend a little extra time focusing on your brackets in order to eliminate any plaque build-up. It may also be a more tedious cleaning because they’ll have to work between wires and the other components of your braces. Still, the cleaning process with braces should be quite similar to your usual dental cleanings.
To learn more about life with braces or other orthodontic services in Virginia Beach, Virginia or on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, contact us today at Savage, Sabol and Visser Orthodontics.
