Braces are a great tool for straightening and evening your smile, but caring for your teeth while wearing braces requires a little extra effort, especially when it comes to cavity prevention.
Because the brackets and wires of braces make it more difficult to brush and floss your teeth, you could become more susceptible to tartar buildup or cavities, so it is extra important to maintain an effective oral care routine.
Orthodontist Nancy F. Shackleton in Louisville, KY can help you keep your teeth clean and healthy while your braces are hard at work straightening your teeth, so your final result is a flawless smile.
Does having braces affect whether I get cavities?
Braces don't protect you from getting cavities, and can even increase your likelihood of getting them if you don't adjust your oral care routine accordingly. Reaching all surfaces of your teeth, and the tight spaces between your teeth are harder to do when you have brackets and wires in the way, so it is important to adapt your brushing and flossing techniques.
How can I prevent cavities while wearing braces?
To keep your teeth free from plaque and decay, you will need to put more focus into your brushing and flossing routine to reach all the spaces and crevices around the wires and brackets to prevent food particles from becoming trapped and turning into bacteria. Ask your orthodontist at our Louisville, KY, office about flossing picks, oral rinses, and other oral hygiene products that can make keeping your teeth clean while wearing braces easier.
In addition to thorough and careful brushing, flossing and rinsing, make sure to make regular appointments with your orthodontist at our Louisville, KY, office so they can monitor both the progress of your braces and look for any dental issues, including cavities, and treat them accordingly.
Make an appointment with your orthodontist at our Louisville, KY, office today by calling Nancy Shackleton at 502-637-2900.