Shoul I get my teeth cleaned before braces come on?

Message

#1 Post by **evelinany** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:38 pm

My orthodontist put on spacers today.. I havent had my teeth cleaned in almost 6 months and I didnt know she'd be putting on spacers today already.. and braces come on next Tuesday -- Monday I have to have a tooth extraction... should I ask my dentist for a cleaning before the tooth extraction???
I thought my ortho would tell me "you need to get your teeth cleaned" before she puts the braces on but she kinda surprsied me lol...

#2 Post by **classII** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:17 pm

Absolutely

More of a courtesy to the ortho than anything else i.e. pride in your teeth. Technically it makes no difference, the solution they use to clean and place the bracket's on come close to the bare bone.

Your dentist is usually the one to insist you have a cleaning before going in as it reflects on him/her your filthy teeth after he sends you in.

#3 Post by **blindboarder2008** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:04 pm

totally agreed, i would def see if you could go in for a quick cleaning and a check up at your dentist office. I did this just before i got my braces on and they did a really good through check on everything and made sure everything was super clean and in top order in preperation of getting the metal and ceramic braces on! I'm really glad i did this

since having braces on i go in for a regular cleaning every 4 months just so they can clean my teeth and keep up to date with my oral hygiene!!! I also went in right before my wisdom teeth got removed and am planning on going in right before my jaw surgery!!!! makes me feel a whole heck of a lot better and more confident knowing i have squeaky clean shiny teeth!!

#4 Post by **jxds** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:48 am

I would go for it, I forgot and then kind of regretted, even if I've got my teeth cleaned with the braces on and it has been no problem!

#5 Post by **evelinany** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:31 pm

Well here is the problem.. I have spacers on my teeth now (total of

- I'm seeing my dentist on Monday to extract 1 tooth & then my orthodontist the next day to put braces on my teeth...

Will the cleaning even be effective with the spacers in? The spacers are blocking the in-between teeth region so I dunno how the dentist would clean in there....
But since I am seeing my ortho the next day maybe taking the spacers out a ay early so the dentist can clean there will be better? Can the dentist take the spacers out himself or would I have to go to the ortho????

#6 Post by **dml** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 4:56 am

Hi evelinany,
Its a good idea to get your teeth cleaned before you get your braces, but then you can have them cleaned just as easily afterwards.
I had spacers in when I had mine cleaned, I did not know before hand but the dentist took the spacers out, cleaned & put them back in. I thought this was normal so I did not even worry to ask about it.
Cheers
dml

#7 Post by **soniabaldeo** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:33 pm

Yes! My hygentist told me it is the best decision to make.