Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello,

I just got braced yesterday, and I can't help worrying about finding a lot of cavities when my braces are off. I feel very insecure about the molar bands. How in the world can you be sure no food gets stuck between the molars and molar bands?

I hate fillings because they make me feel I don't take good care of my teeth. And I won't tolerate any more crown (I already have two) for the rest of my life. I mean it!

So I just want to find out how many of you ended up having cavities as a result of braces, i.e., where the brackets are and bands are. Your input is greatly appreciated!

-Snow

Nobody wants to contribute? I was hoping more people will say "No, I did not get a single cavity due to the brackets or molar bands."

So, any reply is appreciated.

-Snow

Nope... never had a cavity before braces, didn't get any while braces, don't have any after braces... THERE... does that make ya feel better?

I think you would find that once you have braces, you will take much better care of your teeth and brush more often. Which decreases the chances of getting a serious cavity a great deal.

Before i had braces, i didnt really take care of my teeth to a substantial extent. I didnt go to the dentist for years and years. When i did get checked out to start my bracial journey last year, i only had two fillings (this was when i only brushed my teeth once [if that] a day in the morning) Now its a ritual to do the flossing and brushing, very neccessary.

[and yes, i did make up the word "Bracial", i like the sound of it]

Snow wrote: I feel very insecure about the molar bands. How in the world can you be sure no food gets stuck between the molars and molar bands?
-Snow

I think we all get concerned about that but I was told that unless the molar band is loose that getting cavities under your bands is unlikely because of the glue.

Right. I have one teeny tiny cavity (I think anyway, I can't afford to go to the dentist..ugh!) on a molar that was banded, but the band came loose and I didn't go have it fixed (duhhh). I also have a few tiny demineralization spots that no one can see but me, even if I point them out, but I had braces on for 6 years and still wasn't very obsessive about my dental care. Don't worry.

Lala, I think it is possible for it to still be sensitive. Try giving Synsodyne or one of those types of toothpastes a try. It may help....

Also, I know that if I eat raw apples everyday for a while, my teeth become sysnsitive and I have to quit, so could something you are eating contribute to the pain?

they are using new composits ( I am not sure if you use this word in English ) and sometimes you still can feel that they where doing something so do nto worry, it will be ok after a while.

btw, does the bands that you have on the molars covers the whole thooth? I have two that clearly I can see the bottom of my thooth, and I tarted worried that I will get cavities on sides of those two:(

I guess I will have to talk to ortho about it at the next appoitment...

Yep, its possible to be sensitive to cold/hot after fillings. I was for months.
Sensodyne works good.

The problem comes if it hurts when you bite down, then you need to be checked for root canal issues. If the cavity was very deep.

Snow wrote:Hello,

I just got braced yesterday, and I can't help worrying about finding a lot of cavities when my braces are off. I feel very insecure about the molar bands. How in the world can you be sure no food gets stuck between the molars and molar bands?

I hate fillings because they make me feel I don't take good care of my teeth. And I won't tolerate any more crown (I already have two) for the rest of my life. I mean it!

So I just want to find out how many of you ended up having cavities as a result of braces, i.e., where the brackets are and bands are. Your input is greatly appreciated!

-Snow

To my knowledge (my next dental appt. is in August), I have no new cavities, which usually form on the chewing surface of the molar. After a scare with my gums, I got better about the cleaning regimen:

Brush (with a Sonicare) for 2 minutes
Floss at night with threaded floss
Rinse with Listerine (fights cavities and gingivitis)
Increase dental cleanings to 4 times a year instead of twice.

I also sometimes massaged with a WaterPik and took calcium and Vitamin C (gingivitis is an infection, essentially.)

My top brackets are off, and I don't seem to have any cavity pain. I'll know better later, but I wouldn't worry about it. All the things I did worry about didn't come to pass.

Snow wrote:Hello,

I just got braced yesterday, and I can't help worrying about finding a lot of cavities when my braces are off. I feel very insecure about the molar bands. How in the world can you be sure no food gets stuck between the molars and molar bands?

I hate fillings because they make me feel I don't take good care of my teeth. And I won't tolerate any more crown (I already have two) for the rest of my life. I mean it!

So I just want to find out how many of you ended up having cavities as a result of braces, i.e., where the brackets are and bands are. Your input is greatly appreciated!

-Snow

To my knowledge (my next dental appt. is in August), I have no new cavities, which usually form on the chewing surface of the molar. After a scare with my gums, I got better about the cleaning regimen:

Brush (with a Sonicare) for 2 minutes
Floss at night with threaded floss
Rinse with Listerine (fights cavities and gingivitis)
Increase dental cleanings to 4 times a year instead of twice.

I also sometimes massaged with a WaterPik and took calcium and Vitamin C (gingivitis is an infection, essentially.)

My top brackets are off, and I don't seem to have any cavity pain. I'll know better later, but I wouldn't worry about it. All the things I did worry about didn't come to pass.

jenns91civic wrote:but I had braces on for 6 years

Wow, 6 years being braced up, how did you stand it?

Nope, didn't get one cavity. I was so scared of getting my braces off. When they were taking them off I was scared to look in the mirror after incase my teeth were in a terrible state. Under where the wire was my teeth sort of looked brown and that worried me all through my treatment. But my teeth were in great condition when I had my braces off! I was so surprised. And my dentist said that he was completely surprised about the way I'd been cleaning my teeth considering I had braces.

Just keep them clean then I'm sure your teeth will be fine!