Braces Dental Checkups

Braces dental checkups are an important part of your orthodontic treatment. Many patients feel that going to the orthodontist takes the place of dental checkups. They think that they don’t need to go to the dentist while they are in the care of an orthodontist. While your orthodontist is an expert on building you the smile you’ve always wanted, their focus is to straighten your teeth. Their focus is not to clean them. That’s why braces dental checkups are still so important.

Braces Dental Checkups and Why You Need Them

Since orthodontic visits are not focused on keeping your teeth clean and checking for cavities, braces dental checkups should still be part of your regular yearly maintenance. In fact, you should increase your visits to the dentist while you have orthodontic hardware in your mouth. Why? Because your teeth are more difficult to clean while you have braces. So, to avoid tooth decay and other oral hygiene issues, you should schedule your braces dental checkups more frequently during orthodontic treatment.

During your braces dental checkups, you can expect to undergo a routine oral hygiene evaluation. Your dentist will make sure you don’t show any signs of tooth decay. They will also look at your bite and the movement of your jaw to see how your orthodontic treatment is affecting your overall oral health.

During your braces dental checkups, you will have a thorough teeth cleaning. Your dentist uses special tools to clean your braces. During orthodontic treatment, plaque can build up around your appliances and be hard to remove. This can affect your gums and even lead to tooth decay and gum disease. That’s why regular braces dental checkups are so important. They make sure that the plaque is removed properly and your oral health stays in top shape.

Your dentist will hit all those hard to reach spaces. They will also be able to see your teeth from a different view and notice areas you may have overlooked while cleaning your teeth. During your first couple of braces dental checkups, your dentist can determine whether you should come more frequently. For patients who need some extra support in maintaining their oral health, your dentist can be a great support.

Practice Proper Habits at Home

One of the best things you can do for yourself during orthodontic treatment, and always, is to maintain healthy oral hygiene habits. In addition to keeping your regular braces dental checkups, make sure you are following the brushing and flossing guides your orthodontist has provided. Regularly brushing and flossing will help keep your teeth in top shape. You should also make sure you rinse your mouth every time you eat. This will help to keep food from getting lodged in your braces.

One more thing you can do for your oral health is to maintain a healthy diet. A healthy diet is good for your teeth all year around. But, while you are wearing braces, it is even more important. If you avoid foods that can cause harm to your braces, and eat foods that enhance your health, you will notice a positive effect on your oral hygiene. Add regular braces dental checkups and you have set yourself on the path of achieving that beautiful smile with the oral health it deserves to keep it radiant.

Now that you have set yourself on the path to your perfect smile, it’s time you do your part to make sure you get the best results. When you combine quality orthodontic treatment with regular braces checkups, your orthodontist and dentist will make sure your teeth get the treatment they deserve. And your beaming smile will be worth all that extra time and effort.