Professional teeth cleaning before and during?

[Okate]

Hi I've started a few threads with my questions and have only replied to one as I am very new! Just wondered if anyone elses ortho said You HAVE to pay for cleaning at £65 pound a pop! This will need to be done before my brace and 6 months in. Is this the normal thing? All I seem to be chatting about is money, money, money.'I'm sorry and thanks to anyone who knows the answer x

[starfish88]

It's a good idea to get a cleaning before braces go on as its easier for the hygienist to do so before braces go on. I also go every 3 or 4 months for a clean as I don't want cavities, these cost much more to fix, plus if you get build up on the teeth it takes them longer to move so you'll have braces for longer!

[OldBikerBag]

Having your teeth cleaned gets all the microscopic debris and tartar off your teeth. The bonding material will have a more positive grip on a clean surface and you'll have a much smaller likelihood of popping brackets off.

[anxiousgirl]

Always wondered about this. When I got my braces put on my ortho said to get my teeth cleaned every 6 months. It has been nearly 2 years and I have never got it done When I brought it up with my normal dentist, they said they usually only do it after the braces have been removed so I just never ended up doing it.

[Okate]

I thought at the start and at the end but guess I will just have to get it done when they tell me. It's very true that you have to trust your ortho isn't it? Your teeth in their hands! X

[beachmini]

My orthodontist has requested that I get my teeth cleaned every 3-4 months. I will have to pay for 2 cleanings per year to keep this up, but it will be worth it.

[30withbraces]

My ortho hasn't requested me getting professional cleans but I have chosen to do it. Luckily my health fund will cover two cleans a year in full but for the others, I have to pay around $100 each. I think it's worth it and you'll be glad you did in the end.

[marybee]

I go every 3 months and glad I do! I like it when they clean in the nook and crannies I thought I got....and my
teeth and mouth feel great when they finish.

[Angie8978]

It is extremely important to get your teeth cleaned prior to the braces being placed. Once the brackets are on your teeth it is difficult for your hygienist to access all areas of your mouth. If you do not get your teeth cleaned prior and you have plaque and/or tarter on the teeth it may not be accessible to be removed...causing gingivitis or periodontal diseases.
When you floss your teeth do you bleed or does the floss smell? if the answer to either question is yes...get your teeth cleaned. this is a sign of plaque or tarter between your teeth.

[Okate]

I have heard that teeth cleaning/whitening can be really painful is this true?

[peppy]

I'm having 6 month smiles and was told I would need to have a professional clean half way through treatment but I'm also going to have them done before the braces go on. If only really because I wan't them to be in as good a state as possible before I have my brackets fitted.

I'd say it's worth it... as you are probably paying in the region of £2000-£5000 for the treatment paying for the cleaning is pennies really. I think mine is going to cost about £50.

I'm hoping to have whitening afterwards as well.

As for it hurting, I don't think the cleaning hurts. I might just be a bit uncomfortable/weird. Whitening, I guess it depends on the type. I think laser whitening is more agressive than at-home stuff so you might find that is painful...

[starfish88]

Whitening can make teeth sensitive for a short time but there is no need to do this, it's only cosmetic. Cleaning isn't, you do it for your teeth's health.

[Blaise81]

Hi

I had a professional clean when I originally went to meet with dentist about getting braces so I paid for this as it was the main point of my visit. The poor hygienist earned her wages that day as I hadn't been in two years!! I have just got a brace on top and was told to visit the hygienist one week in when she cleaned and showed me how to floss, brush etc with the braces on. This was covered in the cost of my braces.

[Okate]

Cool Im gonna add that to my list of questions in two weeks. I think for the money were paying it should be included x

[agreene433834]

Hi, the ortho I go to "requires" a new patient to have a cleaning within at least 6 mos before braces are applied.