I have anxiety over cleaning my teeth, please help!

[catteethidk]

Hi, I'm a 19 y/0 who got braces over the summer. I go to school in a city 5 hours from my hometown where my orthodontist is so it's quite a pricey commute for me to get there for treatment for issues. And ever since I got my braces they've really served as a HUGE trigger for my anxiety, I've been brushing & flossing religiously, brushing 4-5 times a day, and have been really careful with eating anything too hard or chewy. But I'm FOREVER worried I'm not brushing properly, I feel like I always have a bad taste in my mouth that develops not too long after I finish brushing, no matter how much I do it. And a few days ago out of nowhere I've been feeling a sandpaper-y roughness on the backs of my bottom front teeth - I've been spending extra attention cleaning there but it won't help.

Does anyone have any advice for me, or? I have an appointment with my ortho tomorrow but I have so many concerns I don't want to bother her or make her mad at me. On a similar note, if I developed say a cavity would my ortho tell me, or is that not seen as her responsibility?

Sorry for the rant but any reassurance would be mega appreciated, thank you again.

[Beckett]

Best suggestion is to keep up your regular cleaning appointments with your dentist. They can do a good cleaning and advise you on how well you are doing currently. Your ortho can't tell you if you have a cavity, that's not what they do. And they don't do x rays at regular intervals to catch one. That's for the dentist. But they probably don't routinely do x rays while a patient is in bracea because it's too hard to see issues with brackets and wires in the way. Mine doesn't at least.

[assertives]

I second the regular cleanings with the general dentist. I go once every 3 to 4 months. Also, fluoride rinses would help too.

I don't think it's the ortho's responsibility to tell you if you have developed a cavity, but your ortho would probably give you feedback on how effective (or not) your oral hygiene routine is. My ortho does that.

[Aaeolien]

I think you are doing just fine with the brushing and the flossing. Thats about how often I am brushing and I have no issues at all. Maybe swish some mouthwash around if you still feel like you need to.

[djspeece]

Sounds like you are doing it right. It takes several months at least to adjust to the miracle of braces. One thing that I did (and still do) is rinse with a mouthwash that contains peroxide - Listerine Healthy White is one such product. I don't really think it whitens much but I do like the way my mouth feels after using it. My OCD tendencies continue long after I was debraced . And you might want to consider a toothbrush in which the tip is slightly angled - it may help you reach the areas that are feeling rough. I am one of those people who went through the dental isle at the drug store and got nearly one of everything, as I like a fully equipped arsenal. I still have a bunch of that stuff in my closet on a shelf, neatly organized. Yeah, I have issues. Best of luck to you!

[EmilyTravels]

I second the regular cleanings with the general dentist. I go once every 3 to 4 months. Also, fluoride rinses would help too.

I don't think it's the ortho's responsibility to tell you if you have developed a cavity, but your ortho would probably give you feedback on how effective (or not) your oral hygiene routine is. My ortho does that.

Do you have your ortho remove your wires before every cleaning? My dentist mentioned that would need to be done, but I just can't see it, as I'd need an ortho appointment right before and right after a dental cleaning. That's a lot to schedule. I do want to get my teeth cleaned while braced, but I don't want to have to get the wires taken out and put back on every time. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[assertives]

I second the regular cleanings with the general dentist. I go once every 3 to 4 months. Also, fluoride rinses would help too.

I don't think it's the ortho's responsibility to tell you if you have developed a cavity, but your ortho would probably give you feedback on how effective (or not) your oral hygiene routine is. My ortho does that.

Do you have your ortho remove your wires before every cleaning? My dentist mentioned that would need to be done, but I just can't see it, as I'd need an ortho appointment right before and right after a dental cleaning. That's a lot to schedule. I do want to get my teeth cleaned while braced, but I don't want to have to get the wires taken out and put back on every time. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Nope. I had my cleaning done with the wires in. It didn't really hinder the cleaning process, just that I am not able to get my teeth polished.

[EmilyTravels]

Nope. I had my cleaning done with the wires in. It didn't really hinder the cleaning process, just that I am not able to get my teeth polished.

Thank you! I get the most build up on the backs of my teeth anyway; those are certainly no different cleaning with wires in.

[Beckett]

I had cleanings with my wires in as well. One extra thing they did though was this salt water kind of power wash. Messiest treatment ever and I have to wash my face when I get home because of the overspray (even though she puts a towel over the upper part of my face). And you have an aftertaste like you've been French kissing a bag of potato chips for an hour.

But it works.

[assertives]

Thank you! I get the most build up on the backs of my teeth anyway; those are certainly no different cleaning with wires in.

I also have the most build up on the backs of my teeth too, particularly my top and bottom molars. I've heard a dentist mentioned that that's a common place that most people get build ups. I use a dental scaler and gum stimulator tool daily to help get rid of that. (I got mine from amazon, it's made by dentek) Teeth feel super smooth after that!