Reducing Risk of Dental Decay for Brace Wearers

Taking care of your teeth when wearing orthodontics.

Dental braces, whether traditional or one of the newer generation of modern orthodontics, can cause problems when it comes to keeping your teeth clean. There is one exception to this rule which we will come to a little later.

The majority of braces still follow the traditional wire and bracket design, though using much finer materials to make them more comfortable and less visible.

Even these finer wires and brackets can get in the way when attempting to clean the teeth though. Because of this, some orthodontic wearers suffer from an increased rate of dental decay and gum disease, largely brought on by trapped food particles and bacteria.

Taking care

Taking additional care when brushing and flossing your teeth can help to reduce this problem, although it will require a little more work and attention. The use of waxed dental floss can help you get under the wires and help to remove any trapped food and residual “bad” bacteria that can build up and accelerate decay and gum disease. Should you choose, or require, this type of dental brace, our team will offer advice on the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy whilst you wear them.

Alternative

As a leading Invisalign provider in Hertfordshire, we are able to offer our patients an orthodontic solution that avoids these problems. Whilst this style of ‘brace’ may not be suitable for all teeth straightening issues, they are very popular and one of our most widely used at Much Hadham Dental Care. Unlike most other orthodontics, Invisalign don’t use wires or brackets but are made in the shape of transparent ‘trays’ that fit directly over the teeth. These are custom made for each patient to ensure that they reposition teeth effectively and cause minimal discomfort while doing so.

One of the key benefits of Invisalign braces is that they are designed to be easily removed. This fulfills two functions. Firstly, they can be removed when eating in company, thereby avoiding the awkwardness that can be caused when eating with braces.

Perhaps more importantly, by removing the orthodontics, it is easy to keep your teeth and gums healthy, regularly brushing your teeth and flossing as you normally would. You should also remember to clean the trays regularly before returning them to your mouth.

Free consultation

At Much Hadham Dental Care, we are confident that patients looking for teeth straightening across Hertfordshire will be delighted with what Invisalign braces can do for them, so-much-so that we offer a free Invisalign consultation to help you decide and assess your suitability. To arrange yours, simply call us at our dental practice in Much Hadham, near Ware, on 01279 842 567 and we look forward to helping you achieve beautiful straight teeth.