Throughout your orthodontic treatment, we will discuss the importance of oral hygiene. Whether you have brackets and wires, or clear aligners on your teeth, there are many places where food particles and plaque can build up. It is essential that you practice excellent oral hygiene during your treatment so that you are not at risk of tooth decay. Remember, bacteria eats away at your tooth enamel, and enamel does not regenerate, so it is very important to do a great job keeping your teeth clean. We will supply you with all of the things you will need to be successful and demonstrate each step of brushing and flossing with your new appliances.

Dental Visits During Orthodontic Treatment

If oral hygiene is not kept up during orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist may need to remove your braces or appliances in order to wait for your gums and mouth to heal before reapplying them. This interruption to your progress means that you may have to wear braces longer than you had anticipated.  Your dentist may also request that wires or brackets be removed in order to complete your restorative work, which can also lead to extra visits.

Seeing Your Family Dentist

Even though you are coming into the office to see the orthodontist regularly, you will still need to attend routine checkups with your family dentist every 6 months. This is because an orthodontist specializes in the position of teeth, unlike a dentist who specializes in maintaining good oral health. At each orthodontic adjustment, we examine your teeth, gums, tongue and cheeks and will notify your dentist if we see anything that may require further treatment. Your orthodontist, dentist and hygienist work together to help you achieve your best result!

At your dental checkup, your dentist will:

• Clean your teeth
• Check for tooth decay and gum disease
• Ensure that existing restorations are in good condition
• Treat oral health problems

Your dentist will be able to catch problems early and keep them from getting worse, which of course will help to keep your orthodontic treatment on track.

By involving your dental team in your orthodontic journey, you can ensure that once your treatment is complete, you will have a beautiful, straight and healthy smile too!