Reguar Cleanings with Braces on?

Message

#1 Post by **ebruce25** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:14 pm

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?

#2 Post by **ShinySmile** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:17 pm

I get a cleaning every 3 months, as suggested by my orthodontist...and since since my dentist and ortho are best friends, I guess he'll know if I don't go!

It's really better to get them often when in treatment for orthodontics!

#3 Post by **Attagirl2** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:02 pm

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.

#4 Post by **nvcarissa** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:45 pm

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!!

#5 Post by **Chris** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:54 pm

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?)

#6 Post by **fins** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:21 pm

I try to go about every 3- 4 months but I can NEVER go after an adjustment since my teeth are way too sensitive. That's kind of thrown me off schedule a few times but I try to have them cleaned frequently. I haven't had any problem with cleaning around the bands so far.

#7 Post by **Gennel** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:46 pm

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

#8 Post by **Joanna20** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:34 am

Hey! I get regular cleanings every month or every 2/3 months. They clean it carefully and making sure nothing gets unglued. They put this cherry flavored thing in your mouth that makes u water

!

Don't worry about it, cleanings are fine.

Joanna

#9 Post by **Aine** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:02 am

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!

#10 Post by **Chris** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:30 am

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". !

Yeah, thats the UltraSonic Cleaner...gives me electrical shocks!
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.

#11 Post by **2oldtocare** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:43 am

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.

#12 Post by **JumpTheDitch** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:53 am

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!

Fri Jul 07, 2006 9:09 am

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)?

Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:12 pm

Thanks KK! Your advice is always so helpful. I'll have my mom ask.

#15 Post by **tictac** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:45 pm

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!

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 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.