While it's important to attend appointments with your orthodontist during your braces treatment, it is also essential to visit your dentist. In this post, we explain why you should see your dentist throughout your orthodontic treatment.
Whether you are going through braces or Invisalign orthodontic treatment, you will most likely be spending a fair amount of time in your orthodontist's office. This is because your orthodontist needs to evaluate the progress of your treatment routinely to make sure everything is going according to schedule.
However, it's also imperative to attend regular appointments with your dentist for routine checkups and oral hygiene cleanings during your orthodontic treatment. Actually, you might find that visiting your dentist more often is beneficial.
An orthodontist’s job is to straighten your teeth and give you a healthy, stable bite, although, they won't be able to accomplish this if your oral health is being compromised by conditions such as cavities or gum disease.
Wearing braces, or even clear aligners 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 is able to remove any excess tartar or plaque buildup and keep any problems from developing in the first place. And if there is a problem arising, your dentist can detect it early on, keep it from becoming worse, and help you stay on track with your orthodontic treatment.
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.
