Straightening your teeth with orthodontics improves how they look, particularly if your teeth are healthy after treatment. However, orthodontic appliances like braces tend to get in the way of cleaning teeth, and their components can serve as havens for food particles and oral bacteria that convert them into acids.
Clear aligners can also increase the wearer’s risk of tooth decay. These transparent plastic trays fit tightly over teeth and prevent saliva from washing away acids and food particles like it normally does. A person who has just completed treatment with orthodontics can have straightened teeth that have been damaged by tooth decay. The decay can lead to teeth structures breaking down and to teeth becoming discolored.
People who straighten their teeth with clear aligners are less likely to deal with tooth decay if they always clean their teeth before putting in their aligners. Things are a bit more complicated for people who wear braces. Regardless of how well they take care of their teeth during treatment, there might be decay that has built up underneath the brackets of the braces, and the device might leave stains on teeth.
Dentists typically recommend teeth cleanings following treatment with orthodontic appliances. Teeth cleaning removes tartar build-up on teeth and any stains on them. The procedure can drastically improve the appearance of a patient’s teeth after they have been straightened. Teeth whitening treatments can be performed if needed.
Good oral hygiene also helps protect a patient’s teeth and gums after teeth-straightening treatments. Dentists recommend the following.
These products help mineralize teeth and provide a higher level of cleanliness than regular toothpaste. Brushing after every meal is ideal, especially if teeth have already been weakened by tooth decay.
Flossing teeth cleans interdental spaces. Flossing becomes even more important when teeth have already been weakened by decay during treatment with orthodontic appliances.
Mouthwash cleans all the areas in the mouth missed by brushing and flossing. A therapeutic mouthwash prescribed by a dentist kills oral bacteria, protecting teeth and gums from decay and gum disease, respectively.
A dentist has many tools at their disposal that can help protect teeth against decay, like dental sealants and fluoride treatments. A dentist can also provide any appropriate treatments for teeth that have been damaged by decay or infected gums. Treatments for decayed teeth include fillings, composite bonding, and dental crowns.
Good oral hygiene can help you avoid having to deal with tooth decay and gum disease due to your treatment with orthodontic devices. It can keep your teeth looking their best after your treatment. Call us or stop by our Rockville clinic to learn more about how to properly take care of your teeth after teeth-straightening treatments.
Request an appointment here: https://www.rockvillefamilydental.com or call Rockville Family Dental at (301) 575-0941 for an appointment in our Rockville office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Orthodontics in Rockville, MD.
In general dentistry, dental fillings are one of the most common restorative procedures performed. They are used to address the damage done to teeth, most often as a result of cavities. Continue reading to find out more!Below is a quick overview of dental fillings in general dentistry, including how they are placed and when they…
Anyone considering dental veneers should understand the details of how they work to help determine if they are candidates. These thin, shell-like pieces are a cosmetic dentistry treatment that enhances the overall appearance of the teeth. Here are the various ways that general dentists utilize veneers for their patients.Veneers are thin porcelain shells that a…
If you have recently replaced a mouthful of teeth, you are probably adjusting to new dentures. Although dentures greatly improve your smile, this does not mean you immediately become used to wearing them. The good news is there are methods you can use to help adjust, and in about a month, your dentures should start…
A common mistake that parents make is assuming that regular family dentist visits for their child are not necessary because baby teeth will fall out, anyway. However, the health of the child’s baby (primary) teeth plays an important role in the proper development of their permanent teeth. This review highlights the importance of regular family…
In general dentistry, dental fillings are recommended when a cavity begins to form.
Patients can learn if they are candidates for veneers during a consultation with a general…
If you have recently replaced a mouthful of teeth, you are probably adjusting to new…
Children are often susceptible to cavities, and regular dental visits can reduce the risk of…
An abscessed tooth most likely will not go away on its own. If the symptoms…
Anyone who has ever had gum disease knows that it can have serious consequences. If…
