It's imperative to visit your orthodontist routinely throughout your orthotic treatment for regular adjustments and checkups, but today our orthodontists at SmileTown Orthodontics Braces & Invisalign explain why it's also essential to regularly see your dentist during this time.
Whether you have braces or clear aligners, you will most likely be spending a decent amount of time at your orthodontist's office during your treatment. This is because your orthodontist regularly needs to check in on the progress of your treatment to make sure everything is progressing as it should.
But, you also have to attend regular appointments with your dentist for routine exams and hygiene cleanings while you are being treated for your orthodontic condition. You may even discover that more dental visits than normal are beneficial.
An orthodontist’s job is to straighten your teeth and give you a healthy, stable bite, and they won't be able to accomplish this if your oral health is being compromised by cavities or gum disease.
Wearing braces, or even Invisalign can create more crevices on your teeth where food particles, plaque, and debris can get stuck. Even those who are very diligent about brushing and flossing their teeth thoroughly are at a higher risk of developing gum disease or cavities during orthodontic treatment for this exact reason. This makes it essential to see your dentist regularly throughout your treatment.
Your dentist can clean away any build-up of excess plaque or tartar and help prevent any dental issues from taking hold. If your dentist does spot an arising issue, they will be able to treat it early to prevent it from getting worse, helping your orthodontic treatment stay on track.
Your dentist will let you know if they think extra visits during your orthodontic treatment are needed, or if you can keep visiting every six months as normal.