Reguar Cleanings with Braces on?
Moderator: bbsadmin
Reguar Cleanings with Braces on?
I've had my Damon 3 braces on for 2months now and I have my regular cleaning scheduled for October. I don't see how its even possible to have your teeth cleaned with all that metal in the way. Especially polishing.. sounds impossible. What should I expect? Should I go in more often for cleanings? 4 times a year rather than 2?
-
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2006 5:51 pm
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Contact:
Hi ebruce. I have been able to keep my 2 times a year cleaning. I am taking better care of my teeth now that I am flossing daily in addition to the brushing. You will be surprised at how well your hygenist can clean your teeth, especially with the Damon's. My hygenist, scraped and polished just like usual, except she had to go around the braces and wires. She has not, however, flossed my teeth since I have been in braces. She knows I am doing it daily - and it shows.
Had Damon 3 / Smart Clips for almost 2 years
Now in Hawley upper 10 hours/day, permanent lower retainers
Now in Hawley upper 10 hours/day, permanent lower retainers
I swear I am taking BETTER care of my teeth and gums since I have been in braces and both times I have been to my hygienist, she had said that I have really good hygiene for an ortho patient. In fact, she was over and done with before I knew it this last cleaning I had (June 19th). She even flossed me!!
Braced 5/11/05, BSSO with advancement 6/21/06, Debanded: 8/1/07. Click on www for my braces story.
I go every 4 months just because my teeth stain so badly from the ice tea I drink all day. But they do an excellent job with all the brackets. My teeth get super white. It does take a bit longer though. I do have to ask them not to use the ultrasonic cleaner though, I get electrically shocks with it. Thats with my lower front teeth.
I need to get another cleaning appt but it looks like I'll have power chains on for a while yet (I wonder how easy it will be with those on?)
I need to get another cleaning appt but it looks like I'll have power chains on for a while yet (I wonder how easy it will be with those on?)
Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007
I asked the hygenist about the wires also . She said she does cleanings all the time on patients with braces and has no problem doing the cleanings. I just had a cleaning done like 10 days ago. I will go at least every 4 months for the first year and then every 6 months. Once my teeth get straight it will be easier!
Gennel
Gennel
Both my dentist and ortho suggested cleaning every 4 months rather than the normal 6 months. Rather than clean my teeth in the normal manner, she simply uses some sort of electrical spray instrument that basically feels like my teeth are getting "sand blasted". When she is finished with the blasting, she does the flossing. Nothing hurts but the paste she uses in the "sprayer" tastes like baking soda....yuk!
Yeah, thats the UltraSonic Cleaner...gives me electrical shocks!Rather than clean my teeth in the normal manner, she simply uses some sort of electrical spray instrument that basically feels like my teeth are getting "sand blasted". !
The hygienists like to use it because it works faster than having to scrape everything by hand but for some of us with sensitive areas at the gumline it really hurts.
Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007
-
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:47 pm
- Location: Spokane, WA
I have cleanings every 3 months. I get my wires/ powerchains taken off before. I'm lucky that my regular dentist, periodontist, and orthodontist are all in a 3 mile radius. I alternate between the reg dentist and the periodontist for cleanings. They both really appreciate getting the wires off first. My ortho has no problem in doing this. I coordinate my cleanings with my "adjustment" appointments if necessary. They all know each other and will call for you to get appointments. It's great! I feel fortunate after reading some of the postings here.
-
- Posts: 533
- Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:57 am
- Location: Australia
I'm glad you started this post, ebruce25, I've been meaning to do the same for a while now; I wondered how the cleaning issue was dealt with in braces.
I'm wondering about the difference with the cleanings people mention scheduling with hygenists versus the dentist cleanings. Is there a difference in the type/level of cleaning? Are the hygenists partners in dental practices who specialise in the same type of cleaning your regular dentist does or is there something additional/specialised involved?
Thanks for any info!
I'm wondering about the difference with the cleanings people mention scheduling with hygenists versus the dentist cleanings. Is there a difference in the type/level of cleaning? Are the hygenists partners in dental practices who specialise in the same type of cleaning your regular dentist does or is there something additional/specialised involved?
Thanks for any info!
-
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Fri May 05, 2006 11:24 am
- Location: Alabama
So is it common for the arch wire to be taken off prior to dental cleaning? I also have a cleaning coming up in October, first one since being braced. My regular dentist is right next door to the ortho, but since I'll be visiting my parents (at the other side of the country) in October, I was thinking having their dentist do it, as he's one of my mom's friends and gives large discount. Or is that a bad idea and I should just stick with my own dentist (actually I just started going to him three months ago)?
-
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Fri May 05, 2006 11:24 am
- Location: Alabama
There really shouldn't be a difference between the cleanings from a hygienist and a dentist. Remember this though...hygienists go to school to specifically learn how clean teeth (it's soo much more than that, but won't get into it). Dentists learn how to clean teeth in dental school, but we're talking days spent on this, as opposed to 2 years for hygienists. My dentist told me he spent exactly one day learning to do this in school. Not to knock dentists at all because I have tremendous respect for their knowledge and expertise, but hygienists have much more training in this area. I wouldn't worry about who's doing the cleaning though. Most dentists will do a fine job. Many do a great job!I'm wondering about the difference with the cleanings people mention scheduling with hygenists versus the dentist cleanings. Is there a difference in the type/level of cleaning? Are the hygenists partners in dental practices who specialise in the same type of cleaning your regular dentist does or is there something additional/specialised involved?
Thanks for any info!
I would be more concerned with my cleaning being done too quickly, by either a dentist or a hygienist. Patients with braces take longer in general. Yes, if you have great homecare, your cleaning will be much easier. But I personally don't think a great job can be done in 15 or even 20 minutes. Unless all they're doing is polishing. That is primarily cosmetic, not therapeutic, in nature. My point is, no matter who does it, make sure they are taking the time to evaluate all of your teeth and tissue, and not just whipping through and calling it a cleaning.