There are several benefits connected to dental cleanings and orthodontics. It is recommended that patients receive dental cleanings twice a year, and sometimes even more often depending on the patient’s oral health.
Patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment especially need to schedule regular dental cleanings to combat sensitivity, avoid excess plaque buildup, and prevent decalcification.
At Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre, our doctors are passionate about helping patients with all oral health needs achieve optimal oral health. Call our Woolgoolga dentist to schedule your appointment.
Here are three benefits of dental cleanings during orthodontic treatment:
1. Maintain Oral Health
Braces make oral hygiene much more difficult than brushing or flossing without braces. Therefore, it is even more important to visit the dentist for a dental cleaning while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Dentists have the tools and techniques to clean the difficult-to-reach parts of your teeth and mouth, helping you maintain optimal oral health and avoid issues like cavities and gum disease.
Additionally, if they detect early signs of decay or disease, they can treat it immediately or schedule a follow-up appointment for the appropriate treatment.
Your dentist will also be happy to discuss tools you can buy to make cleaning your teeth at home easier and more effective. He or she may recommend a Waterpik®, electric toothbrush, or other oral hygiene products.
2. Avoid Excess Plaque Buildup
Plaque buildup can quickly lead to gum disease. In the early stages, a regular dental cleaning may reverse the gum disease. However, your dentist may recommend a deep dental cleaning (or scaling and root planing) to remove any hardened plaque along the gum line. If left untreated, gum disease can turn into an irreversible and destructive issue.
Another key to avoiding plaque buildup is flossing. If flossing feels impossible for you, there are other tools to help; such as floss picks, floss brushes, and even a Waterpik®. An electric toothbrush is truly optimal for orthodontic patients as studies reveal they can remove 21% more plaque over a three-month period and reduce gingivitis by 11%.
3. Prevent Decalcification
A high fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse can prevent decalcification, the loss of calcium in the enamel, that can appear where the brackets used to be. These spots on the teeth appear white and chalky. This usually happens if too much tartar builds up around the brackets.
Brushing and flossing properly at home and visiting the dentist at least every six months can reduce your risk of decalcification, so there are no surprises when your braces are removed.
Schedule Your Dental Cleaning
If you have braces, it is especially important to visit the dentist for a dental cleaning at least every six months. To avoid issues like decalcification, gum disease, and sensitivity, you may want to visit more frequently!
Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre offers three convenient locations to get dental cleanings; Coffs Harbour or Woolgoolga. Our team can’t wait to serve you! Schedule your dental cleaning with Magic Smiles today.
