Visiting the "normal" dentist

[sean83]

Hi. It's almost a year since my last check up with my "normal" dentist (it was the same day I committed to sacrificing 4 teeth and 18 months of inconvenience ), so I'm due a visit. How does it work, now I'm in braces...do I need to make any special arrangements? I wouldn't mind a bit of a clean - could he do that at all? Thanks

[sauerkraut]

Depending on how close together the practices are you could maybe try timing your dentist appointment to fit in with your next ortho adjustment, so you go to the ortho & have the archwire removed, then go to the dentist for the cleaning, then return to the ortho to get the wire replaced.

Having said that, that kind of arrangement is completety impractical for me! But I had a cleaning at my dentist's the other day and she was able to work round the brackets and wires no problem.

The only thing she was a bit wary of was spraying the front surface of the teeth (they do a kind of salt spray clean here, akin to sandblasting which I never encountered in England.) Apparently there can be a kind of lacquer on the teeth which the ortho puts on under the brackets to help avoid discolouration, and which the salt spray might damage. Typically, I don't know if I've got this and my ortho was on holiday so we couldn't ask, so she just got round it by keeping the spray off the brackets. The usual plaque removal, polish etc bit was no problem at all though.

Probably the best thing to do would be to check with your dentist whether they're happy to clean with the archwire in place, and with your ortho if they have any objections/special requirements...

P.S. My dentist told me from the outset that I should have a professional cleaning at least every 6 months (though I do have dodgy gums) so don't put it off any longer!

[sauerkraut]

the power scaler (which uses an air/water/sodium bicarbonate - that is baking soda - mixture)

Ah so that's what it is! Being English, living in Germany, with a French dentist, I sometimes have a few communication issues

[Lisa65]

I've had a couple of cleanings since getting braces with the wires in place. The hygienist was able to do a fairly good job. But I'm planning to ask my ortho if it would be possible to have at least my bottom wire out for my next cleaning though. My bottom braces have been on 2 years now and there's a bit of crud round the brackets.

I've never had that power spray though, only the scaler and the polishing brush thing.

[shan*rock]

I'm only a month and a half in on my braces journey, but I was due for my 6-month cleaning the same week as my first adjustment. They preferred to keep the wire in and just work around it. Seemed to do a pretty good job. They want me to come back in for a cleaning in 4 months rather than 6 just to make sure I'm doing a good enough job keeping my teeth clean. If I am then we will go back to every 6 months. Hope that helps.

[kirjax]

I just went last week. They used two different kind of cleaning tools for me they say it works good with braces. One was like a water pick with baking soda and something else it was wierd and the othe was some sort of powered toothbrushing system but it was small so it could get inbetween your brackets. All in all I was in and out in 25 min.

[sean83]

Thanks for the replies, excellent as always. I'm pleased they will be able to clean! Will speak to my ortho about it on Monday.

[purpleteeth]

With braces, I was told to get my teeth cleaned every THREE months --- the dentist comes in and checks me every 6, no problem. They don't like to do x-rays with the brackets on... but the check up really isn't that big of a deal.

[alex]

I was told by the dentist that with braces I should get a cleaning every 3-4 months. But, being away at college, I just do the regular 6 month visits. I've had two cleanings with braces on and both times the archwire was left on. They actually never said anything about getting it removed. I don't know if they did much different than normal.

[mary.]

It definitely won't be a problem to do a cleaning with your braces. It might just take them a little bit longer. You may want to mention that you have braces when you call for your appointment. I've gone a few times with my wires in and all was just fine.

I would ask your ortho and dentist how often they would recommend cleanings.

[purpleteeth]

Not everyone gets cleanings every 3 months, so don't worry! When I had insurance, it only paid for the cleanings every 6 months... so I had to pay for the other two cleanings. Now that I don't have insurance, I will probably be going whenever I can afford it!! I'm going to try and aim for the 3 month cleanings, but it might be closer to 4-6 months.

Fluoride treatment has been critical throughout my treatment with braces. I have prescription toothpaste with a very high concentration of it in it, not to mention fluoride mouthwash and special gel --- in addition to the fluoride treatment when I have cleanings.

I have always had my wires in when getting my teeth cleaned without any problems. My regular dentist works closely with my ortho, so they already knew to prep for the cleaning. It actually doesn't take much longer with braces and the exam is just a little different, but no x-rays.

[artroxu]

I am going in for my first cleaning since braces in a month. When I made the appointment i made a point of telling them I have braces and asked whether it cost more or if i needed to have the wire removed. They said the only thing that changes is that it sometimes it takes a bit longer, but sometimes it's the same. So I'm not worried, just curious to know how they will access some areas. He's a good dentist, and i've been seeing him for a few years, so i trust him and his staff.