If you have BRIUS, braces or Invisalign, should you continue visiting your dentist every 6 months for professional cleanings? Can your dentist even clean your teeth with braces on?
Spoiler alert – YES it’s actually essential that you still visit your dentist throughout your orthodontic treatment!
Here’s everything you need to know:
Before you begin treatment
Before you begin treatment, it’s important that you receive a professional cleaning from your dentist at least 6 months prior to your orthodontic exam. We want to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and ready to support your new smile!
Throughout your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Matsumoto, it’s important that you still visit your dentist every six months for professional cleanings. Your regular orthodontic check-ins and your regular dental cleanings are both essential for creating the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
Can you get your teeth cleaned with braces on?
Yes! With BRIUS braces or traditional braces, you can have your teeth cleaned. Your orthodontic treatment shouldn’t impact your dental health, and your regular cleanings are as important as ever.
BRIUS custom braces are attached to the back surfaces of your teeth and they don’t have an archwire that connects across each tooth (like traditional braces do), making it easy to clean the front surfaces of your teeth and between each tooth.
Dentists have special dental tools that allow them to work around brackets or custom appliances and remove hardened plaque without damaging your treatment.
If you have traditional braces, we can temporarily remove your archwires if your dentist needs to reach a certain area.
Teeth cleaning with braces will take a little longer than when you didn’t have braces, but it’s important that your dentist has time to clean your teeth thoroughly.
Can you get x-rays with braces?
Yes you can! You should have x-rays taken regularly, as advised by your dentist. Although your braces are made of metal brackets and wires, they’re safe to undergo x-rays.
Routine x-rays are important for detecting tooth decay (cavities) that may not be apparent at first glance.
Teeth cleaning with Invisalign®
Dental cleanings are a bit easier with Invisalign. You get to remove your clear aligners for your regular dental cleanings. There won’t be any brackets or wires for your dentist to work around! You may have attachments or buttons with Invisalign, but they are easy to clean around.
Although cleaning braces will require some additional care (because food particles can get trapped between your brackets and wires), cleaning your teeth with clear aligners is no different than cleaning your teeth without clear aligners. You’ll remove your clear aligners to brush your teeth, floss your teeth and eat food, so you won’t have to make many adjustments to your oral care routine.
Have questions about dental cleaning with braces, BRIUS or Invisalign?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We’re here to guide you through orthodontic treatment and ensure that you achieve beautiful, lifelong results.
Dr. Matsumoto and our experienced team will help you make the best choice for your smile.
We serve surrounding communities, like Surf City, Hampstead and Goden, and our Porters Neck orthodontist office off Market St., near the Porters Neck Center, Cape Fear Seafood Company and Porters Neck Veterinary Hospital.
Ready to start your journey? Request your complimentary orthodontic exam with our experienced family orthodontist at Porters Neck in Wilmington, NC!
