Professional dental cleanings are required while undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces. Brackets bonded to the teeth and connected by archwires create new challenges for maintaining oral health. These appliances introduce numerous surfaces and tight spaces where food particles and bacteria easily accumulate, significantly increasing the risk of dental complications. Regular professional intervention supports the patient’s daily care routine and ensures the health of the teeth and gums throughout the alignment process. This article explains the necessity of these appointments, the specialized methods dental professionals use, and the enhanced daily care needed at home.
Why Professional Cleanings Are Essential During Orthodontic Treatment
The presence of brackets and wires fundamentally alters the mouth, making it easier for plaque to adhere to tooth surfaces. These components create numerous small traps for food debris that diligent brushing struggles to remove entirely. The increase in trapped bacteria leads to a heightened risk for localized dental issues that can compromise treatment success.
A significant concern is the development of gingivitis, characterized by inflamed, swollen, or bleeding gum tissue around the brackets and wires. If plaque hardens into calculus (tartar), this non-brushable substance accelerates gum irritation and can lead to more serious periodontal issues. Furthermore, acid produced by bacteria concentrated around the brackets erodes the enamel, leading to decalcification.
Decalcification appears as chalky, white spots on the tooth surface once braces are removed, marking permanent enamel damage. Standard six-month cleaning intervals are often insufficient for braces wearers; many professionals recommend visits every three to four months. Professional cleanings remove hard calculus and persistent plaque biofilm that at-home efforts cannot reach, protecting the enamel and supporting gum health. Skipping these appointments can delay orthodontic progress if cavities or advanced gum issues require treatment.
Specialized Techniques for Cleaning Around Braces
The professional cleaning process is adapted to safely navigate the fixed orthodontic appliances. Hygienists begin with a focused examination, identifying areas of excessive plaque or early signs of gingivitis. The removal of hardened calculus (scaling) requires specialized instruments and techniques to avoid damaging the brackets or wires.
Hygienists rely on manual scaling instruments to carefully scrape away tartar from the tooth surface, especially around bracket bases and under the archwire. Ultrasonic scalers, which use high-frequency vibrations and a water spray, may be used on accessible chewing surfaces and non-bracketed areas. These tools efficiently dislodge larger deposits of calculus without disrupting the bonded hardware.
Following scaling, a specialized polishing step is performed using soft rubber cups and prophy brushes designed to clean around the brackets. This polishing uses a slightly abrasive paste to smooth enamel surfaces and remove surface stains. The cleaning concludes with a thorough, high-concentration topical fluoride treatment, applied via painting or a tray. This treatment helps remineralize vulnerable enamel and provides a protective barrier against acid attacks.
Daily Oral Hygiene Practices for Braces Wearers
Maintaining heightened oral hygiene at home is necessary to complement professional cleanings and prevent plaque buildup between appointments. The daily routine must include brushing after every meal or snack to remove food particles. A soft-bristled orthodontic toothbrush, featuring a recessed center row of bristles, or an electric toothbrush with a specialized head, is recommended for cleaning above and below the brackets.
Interdental cleaning is especially challenging but essential, requiring specialized tools to clean the spaces between the wire and the teeth. Floss threaders are thin, stiff plastic loops used to guide traditional dental floss under the archwire so the sides of the teeth can be cleaned. Alternatively, interdental brushes, sometimes called proxabrushes, are small, tapered brushes that fit directly into the space beneath the wire and between brackets to sweep out debris.
Many braces wearers also benefit from using a water flosser, which directs a pulsating stream of water to flush out trapped food and loose plaque from around the brackets and wires. While water flossers are effective for rinsing and dislodging debris, they supplement mechanical cleaning and are not a complete replacement. Finishing the routine with a fluoride-containing mouth rinse provides an extra layer of protection for the enamel.