Care of Dental Orthodontic Metal Braces

If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, you probably feel that you have many "things" in your mouth. Dentistry has names for the different types of orthodontic hardware: bands, brackets, arch wires, ligatures, elastics, etc. What it means to you is that any type of orthodontic appliance cemented and/or bonded to your teeth makes it more difficult for you to properly clean your teeth. You will find that you have more food debris caught around your teeth and orthodontic hardware than ever before. It is harder and more time-consuming to clean the debris away.

It is very important to keep your teeth immaculately clean while the braces are on. The extra food that can be easily trapped around the band, brackets, and wires will decompose over time and can cause gum decay and possibly gum disease. It is pretty devastating to see braces removed from newly straightened teeth and find that the teeth are all decayed or disfigured. It is even more depressing to have restorations placed in these nice straight teeth. Fortunately, this can be avoided with proper oral self-care and maintenance.

We will spend as much time as you need in showing you how to keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy. There are dental cleaning aids available to help maintain proper oral self-care while undergoing active orthodontic therapy. We will demonstrate their use and either provide them for you or tell you where you can purchase them.

We advise that you return to the office every three months while the braces are on in order to have your teeth cleaned by the dental hygienist and receive a topical fluoride treatment. We find that with this preventive recare interval, you have less chance of developing periodontal (gum) problems around the braces and decay under and around the orthodontic appliances.

Listed below are several additional tips for caring for your braces:

Use a toothpaste containing fluoride when you brush your teeth.

Use a dental floss threader as instructed and demonstrated to clean under the arch wires every night.

Rinse with a fluoride-containing mouthrinse at least once each day. Follow the instructions included with the mouthrinse. Use of the fluoride mouthrinse will help reduce the possibility of decay or decalcification (white or soft spots in the enamel) under the cemented or bonded bands and brackets. We consider it to be a very important prevention aid.

Use an oral irrigator as demonstrated to help remove debris from around the braces. This is in no way a substitute for proper brushing and flossing. It is an adjunct oral self-care aid.

Use an electric toothbrush as instructed.

Take proper care of your teeth while your braces are on. You will be glad you did.

If you have any questions about orthodontic and preventive dental care, please feel free to ask us