Prevent Tooth Decay While Wearing Braces

Jan. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Making the decision to undergo orthodontic treatment is a wise investment in your future. Not only will you have a straighter smile that can increase your confidence, but you can prevent other oral health issues that can come from untreated malocclusions. And because you are investing a lot of time and money into your treatment, don't let that investment go to waste by failing to properly care for your teeth while wearing braces.

"Patients have to pay closer attention to their oral care regimens while wearing braces," says Dr. Aly Kanani, a well-respected Vancouver orthodontist. "The brackets and wires of the braces create nooks and crannies that are the perfect places for food and drink particles to hide, resulting in a buildup of plaque. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Permanent damage to the enamel of your teeth can occur if you fail to properly clean your teeth every day."

In the early stages of tooth decay, the enamel surface may start to lose some minerals. This can leave white spots on your teeth. Additionally, patients may also develop gingivitis, which are inflamed and bleeding gums. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to even more serious issues. In addition to keeping a healthy oral routine at home, it's also important that patients maintain regular checkups with their dentists. If there are any issues, the dentist will be able to catch them and correct them before they become too serious.

When caring for teeth while wearing braces, patients should be sure to pay close attention to the teeth and gums, as well as the brackets and wires. For patients who wear elastics with their braces, the elastics should be removed prior to brushing. Always use fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush. Brush along the gumline and be sure to get into every nook and cranny created by brackets and wires. Brush the braces firmly enough to allow the bristles to get into any gaps and brush both the inside and outside surfaces of the teeth. Patients may also choose to rinse with a fluoride mouthwash after brushing. Replace your elastics and use them as required by your orthodontist.

Fluoride is important to help fight tooth decay and prevent white spots from forming on the teeth. The fluoride works to make teeth more resistant to the acids that our teeth come into contact with every day. Some orthodontists may recommend additional fluoride products to better protect their patients' teeth from decay.

"It's also important to maintain a braces friendly diet during your orthodontics treatment," says Dr. Kanani. "I encourage my patients to avoid highly acidic foods and drinks that can damage the enamel. That means avoiding things like soft drinks and fruit drinks, citrus fruits, etc. It's also important to avoid foods high in sugar and starch as they can also lead to tooth decay. Drink plenty of water to help wash away damaging particles that may cling to the teeth."

There are also foods that can damage braces by bending or breaking the wires. Foods that are particularly hard, chewy or sticky should be avoided. If in doubt, it's best to avoid the food to prevent damage from occurring.

For patients who are looking for a more low maintenance way to straighten their teeth, Invisalign (http://www.vancouverorthodontics.com/invisalign-overiew.html) is the answer. Its clear aligners are removable, meaning patients remove them when eating and drinking. This allows patients to maintain their standard oral health regimens.

© 2014 Dr. Aly Kanani, Millionairium and Invisalign Vancouver. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Dr. Aly Kanani, Millionairium and Invisalign Vancouver are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this document is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.