Do you visit your "normal" Dentist whilst wearing braces?

[Mona]

Hi,
I am wondering if I should go for a check up at my dentist. But feels weird whilst wearing braces and going to the ortho regulary anyway, how do you handle this?
thanks

[Sunny]

We tell our patients to see their dentist for six monthly checkups and cleanings. It's important to continue with your checkups, as it would be dreadful to complete ortho treatment with teeth that are damaged due to cavities.

You won't have x-rays, but your dentist can still check your teeth and do any work that's necessary. Most dentist's will work on your teeth with the archwire in place (which definitely helps your teeth to feel better), but if your dentist is one of the few that prefers the archwire removed, you'll need to schedule to have appointments with your ortho and dentist on the same day.

Some people choose to have cleanings done more often, so that they can be certain their teeth look the best, but your dentist is the best person to ask about that.

Good luck with your treatment!

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Visiting the dentist is something we highly recommend. Your orthodontist is responsible for the alignment of your teeth and jaws. While they may be able to give you a broad view of your dental health, they do not clean your teeth or perform regular dental check ups.

In fact, we often advise our patients to visit their dentist a bit more frequently for cleanings when in orthodontic treatment.

[MsMichelle]

I visit my regular dentist and see my hygenist every six months for my usual checkup. They work around my archwires and check to make sure I am flossing and doing the correct things with my teeth.

[Brace Face]

I still go to my dentist once a year and hygenist every 6 months. It's reassuring to know everything is still ok 'behind the scenes'.

[Sunny]

Wow BF ... did your ortho say why you only need to see your dentist once a year? You must have amazing oral hygiene, as usual when people are having ortho treatment they need to go more often than they would usually.

[catgyrl]

I also only get seen by my actual dentist once a year, and get cleanings twice a year. The hygienist and dentist are the same office, so I guess if there's a huge problem that the hygeinist notices, she'll notify him. I wonder if my dental plan only covers one "examination" per year, and two cleanings? The last time I was there (2 weeks ago), I asked, "So, I'm not going to see doctor today?" and she said, "Nope, just a cleaning." I couldn't resist the urge to call him in to show him my metal. He just said, "Oh, nice..." and walked away.

He's a man of few words, too... haha

[Brace Face]

LOL Cathy, mine doesn't say much either. I think he is a little bit scared of me! He sort of looks permanently embarrassed and laughs politely at all my bad jokes. Quite right too, I am the customer after all!

Sunny, my dentist suggested I go for annual visits about 20 years ago now and, so far (fingers crossed), I have not had any problems in all that time. I don't think my hygiene is necessarily that great, I think i've just been lucky in that I seem to have strong teeth. He didn't suggest I increase my visits when I got braces so i'm sticking with the yearly visit unless he says otherwise. Like Cathy, my hygenist is at the same practice and i'm confident she would send me his way if she were worried about anything.

I can't think of anything more soul destroying than going through all this and then finding your teeth and gums are wrecked!! Imagine!! LOL

[Mona]

thanks for your replies.. I booked my appointment

[ksmoguy]

I only see my dentist once a year but I see the hygenist every 6 months. Now that I am in braces I am actually seeing the hygenist every 3 months.

[lasvegasann]

I get a cleaning every three months!!!