tartar build-up

[mathyou9]

I've had my braces on for four and a half months now. A few of my mandibular incisors have noticeable tartar building up on them; it's been ten months since my regular cleaning/check-up. But this tartar build-up did not start to appear until after my braces were put on. I've never had tartar build up so fast, let alone, noticably; i.e., prior to braces, I've only had noticeable tartar build-up on the backs of my teeth, not the front.

Based on the location of the tartar, my only deduction is that the archwire is ultimately in the way, preventing my toothbrush from thoroughly cleaning my teeth. I'm intrigued because I've been brushing and flossing my teeth more religiously since getting my braces than I did without braces. But this all is just a preface--

The one thing that I wasn't expecting, though, is that this tartar build-up also seems to be building up on the surface of the brackets of the offending teeth (i.e., where there used to be a silvery color [the bracket] there is now tartar.)

My orthodontist has not said anything about it, so I have to assume it's not out-of-the-ordinary. But in searching this forum and Google, I couldn't find any other instances where anyone has experienced this. Am I alone in this? Or do I just not get my teeth cleaned often enough.

Oh well. I'm not too worried; it's more curiosity than anything (I've already set an appointment to get my teeth cleaned.)

[Candymomof3]

Hi Mathyou--I completely understand and can definitly reassure you that you are not the only one! I went for my dental cleaning about 4 months after I had my braces put on and got quite a lecture on all the tarter build up...more so on the backs of the teeth more than the brackets at that point. I chalked this up to being so psycho about cleaning my teeth and brackets that I neglected to stay on top of cleaning the backs just as religiously. I am quite obsessed about brushing and flossing, and rinsing so I was so upset to see tarter build up around my bottom front brackets. I have been concentrating more on this area and seems to be helping but it's still there. I go for my next cleaning in January so I will ask her about this! I am curious too about what other people are going through and any other solutions!

[Sunny]

Hi mathyou and sorry to read about your tartar buildup. I've got to be honest, where I work, it isn't acceptable for a patient to have tartar buildup and any patient that does, would be told that they must see their dentist/hygienist for a clean before their next appointment, plus to get advice from that person how to make sure this doesn't happen again.

Some people brush, floss and rinse every day and still get tartar. Some people do make more tartar than others, but mostly the reasonn there's tartar is due to the way you're brushing not doing the job properly. That's why it's important to get this cleaned now and be shown how to brush properly. The archwire is tiny and doesn't prevent people from making an excellent job of cleaning their teeth.

We recommend a professional clean every six months, but for those who're having problems with tartar to have a professional clean every three months.

Candy tartar buildup at the back of the lower teeth is often an issue, due to their being a gland under the tongue that releases into the mouth at that area. It's important to make sure that area is kept clean ... which can be done by brushing a couple of times a day with a soft brush, or an electric toothbrush with a soft head.

Remember when brushing, don't brush any areas hard. If you do this, you risk damaging the enamel on your teeth and this can't be repaired. I've done this ... and it's frustrating, as it will remain stained for ever. Also if your brush hard, you risk damaging your gums, and that is also permanent, unless you have surgery for grafts later on.

Good luck having your teeth cleaned and make sure you ask your dentist/hygienist for tips about how to make sure these areas are kept clean.

My tip is ... use an interdental brush to clean around your brackets. I do this once a day ... at night and in over four years I've not had any tartar buildup.

[mathyou9]

Thanks for the replies. I admit, although I have been brushing and flossing religiously since getting my braces, I haven't been using an interdental brush as good I should have (I've used it mostly to dislodge food particles rather than for cleaning teeth.)

In the meantime, I figured that I'd start using tartar-control toothpaste along with regular and proper use of an interdental brush.

[Sunny]

Good luck ... and remember to ask your dentist to show you how to brush properly and use the interdental brushes, after you've had your cleaning ... as you don't want the buildup to ruin your teeth.