Did you have cavities as a result of the braces?

If you have finished with your orthodontic treatment and are wearing retainers (or will be soon), this is a special place to connect with others in your (enviable) situation. Ask a question or make a comment about life post-braces.

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Snow
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 4:58 pm
Location: San Jose, California

Did you have cavities as a result of the braces?

#1 Post by Snow »

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? :Questions:

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
Spacers in: 7/20/2005
Braces on: 7/27/2005
Clear braces both top and bottom
Treatment time: 18-24 months
Braces off: 7/26/2007

Snow
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 4:58 pm
Location: San Jose, California

#2 Post by 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." :lol:

So, any reply is appreciated.

-Snow
Spacers in: 7/20/2005
Braces on: 7/27/2005
Clear braces both top and bottom
Treatment time: 18-24 months
Braces off: 7/26/2007

fyrelight
Posts: 571
Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 7:46 am
Location: Bakersfield CA

#3 Post by fyrelight »

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? :D
Pamela W.
FORMER IMPACTED CANINES,

nahky
Posts: 548
Joined: Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:43 am
Location: Australia, , braced on 8 MAR '05 - Debraced: 28th FEB '07

#4 Post by nahky »

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]
Nahhs, Jaw Surgery 'n all<
Progress Pictures on Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 Debracing/Teeth Whitening Pictures on Pg 16

Lower JAW Surgery: May 2006 Debraced: March 2007

Chris
Posts: 2326
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2004 9:18 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: Did you have cavities as a result of the braces?

#5 Post by Chris »

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.
Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007

jenns91civic
Posts: 420
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2005 7:50 pm

#6 Post by jenns91civic »

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.
Paramedic student

Full Braces (all metal) 5/12/1999 - 4/20/2005
Class II (overjet) on the left only
Upper and Lower Hawleys

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Lala7603
Posts: 596
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2004 6:18 pm
Location: *USA*..
Contact:

#7 Post by Lala7603 »

well i took good care of my teeth and all while i was in braces...but My first cleaning i had after i got my braces off...i had 3 cavities. But one was from a filling going bad...so i kinda dont count it.

And since im talking about cavities right now. Is it normal for my new a tooth that i just got a filling on to hurt. I Got the filling done....june 29th....and i STILL cant tolerate cold/hot food on the left side of my mouth. I thought it was from the cavities...but now that they have fillings...i dont know. ALl i know is one of them is uncomfortable at times. Anyone KNow if this is normal?? If it helps...i believe the one that is causing the pain is the tooth that had a filling...but it went bad and i had to get it re-done.

Just curious if anyone could help...sick of having to leave me drinks out untill they arent cold anymore so i can tolerate them. VERY AGGERVATING

Oh and i didnt have any bands on my teeth....just regular brackets...and still got cavities

SMiles

Lala
Braces On: November 21, 2003
Braces Off: December 17, 2004
Braces Back On: November 6, 2007
Braces Back Off: 2008

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Attagirl2
Posts: 703
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:19 am
Location: Ohio

#8 Post by Attagirl2 »

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?
Had Damon 3 / Smart Clips for almost 2 years
Now in Hawley upper 10 hours/day, permanent lower retainers

caryca
Posts: 233
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 8:11 am
Location: Europe
Contact:

#9 Post by caryca »

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 :wink: 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...
6/4/2005: 2nd premolar extracted+ spacers in
6/13/2005: clear braces: top and bottom
Image
next 'date' on 18th Nov. ...and the bottoms might be off then?!:-) top will stay until Dec. before xmas.

Chris
Posts: 2326
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2004 9:18 pm
Location: Southern California

#10 Post by Chris »

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.
Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007

slywy
Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2005 7:15 pm
Location: Chicago, IL
Contact:

Re: Did you have cavities as a result of the braces?

#11 Post by slywy »

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? :Questions:

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.

slywy
Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2005 7:15 pm
Location: Chicago, IL
Contact:

Re: Did you have cavities as a result of the braces?

#12 Post by slywy »

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? :Questions:

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.

Lala7603
Posts: 596
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2004 6:18 pm
Location: *USA*..
Contact:

#13 Post by Lala7603 »

thanx all who commented about my filling pain.

it doesnt hurt when i bite down, so thats a good thing. I would think it was just sensitivity....but all of my teeth are a little sensitive, but these i think 2 new fillings are really sensitive. I was so sensitive to cold things before i got the fillings done. I guess its better...but now i guess the only difference is i am sensitive to hot foods too. I am hoping that in time....it will get better. I normally chew on the left side of my mouth and now have had to switch to chewing on the right side...which is still kind of odd.

I dont think its anything that im eating thats the problem...its just the temp of the things im eating...lol

Thanx all

SMiles

Lala
Braces On: November 21, 2003
Braces Off: December 17, 2004
Braces Back On: November 6, 2007
Braces Back Off: 2008

Image

ohmygosh
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:32 pm

#14 Post by ohmygosh »

jenns91civic wrote:but I had braces on for 6 years
Wow, 6 years being braced up, how did you stand it?
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Braced at 48
8/15/2005 Ceramic uppers - metal lowers

kelly12300
Posts: 207
Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2005 1:08 pm
Location: Wales, UK

#15 Post by kelly12300 »

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!
~*~Kelly~*~

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