In short, yes! You still need to plan visits with your dentist while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment! Orthodontists and dentists do different tasks to help improve your oral health. It is very important to make regular dental appointments while you have orthodontic tools.
Why is it Important?
It is always important to make planned visits with your dentist. Your dentist makes sure that your teeth are healthy, with no sign of potential cavities, gum disease, or other issues that may arise in your mouth.
Depending on the type of orthodontic care you are receiving, an extra visit to your dentist may be helpful! With braces, sometimes we can miss some spots if we are not being mindful when brushing or flossing. Your dentist can help give you a proper routine cleaning.
Your dentist will do other routine work during your orthodontic care, such as x-rays and checking in on your gum health. Since orthodontics involves the movement of teeth, keeping track of the health of your roots, gums, and jaw bones is essential! Your dentist will also go through other normal dental care like fluoride treatments. The use of fluoride while having braces will keep the enamel strong, helping prevent potential cavities when brushing and flossing gets a little trickier.
It is just as important for people who have Invisalign to visit their dentist. Although you can remove your Invisalign for proper brushing and flossing, there are still some occasions that can impact the health of your teeth. One example is drinking sugary drinks while wearing your aligners. The liquid can get caught between the aligners and your teeth, leading to a perfect location for cavities to grow. It is also important to make sure that you are brushing your teeth after every meal. Putting your aligners back in while you have food stuck in your teeth is an excellent way for bacteria to grow as the food particles decay in your mouth.
Visiting your dentist is an easy way to strengthen your teeth while you have braces!
How Often Should I Visit My Dentist?
It is recommended that you visit your dentist at least twice a year. This will help identify problem areas, or watch teeth that may become cavities. A routine cleaning will help ensure that there is no plaque buildup on your teeth or around your orthodontics. While you do not need a dentist to refer you to an orthodontist, they generally will take a look at your teeth and determine whether or not you may need orthodontic care.
How are Orthodontists Different from the Dentist?
Both orthodontists and dentists are extremely important! But they work on different things. Orthodontists work on changing the alignment of your teeth into a straighter and healthier position. While orthodontists can clean your teeth, they generally focus on the positioning of your smile. On the other hand, dentists work on maintaining the overall health of your mouth.
You can think of it similarly to cooking vs. baking. Both activities work on making food, but they work on making different types of food with different tools (the ingredients).
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is still incredibly important and super beneficial for you to continue to go to your daily appointments with your dentist! Routine cleanings will help make sure your braces are free from debris, plaque buildup, and help prevent future problems like cavities, gum disease, and loss of enamel.
Are you thinking of getting braces or Invisalign? Book an appointment with us here at Belmar Orthodontics! We are always so happy to work with new people as they go on their smile transformations!