Routine professional cleanings fall outside the specific scope of practice for an orthodontist, meaning the answer to whether they clean teeth during braces treatment is generally no. Orthodontists, general dentists, and dental hygienists operate as distinct specialists within the broader field of oral healthcare. Understanding these separate roles clarifies where to seek different types of oral care. A successful experience with braces requires maintaining regular appointments with both your orthodontic team and your general dental team.
Defining the Orthodontist’s Specialization
An orthodontist is a dental specialist focused entirely on correcting misaligned teeth and jaws, a condition known as malocclusion. After completing four years of dental school, they must complete an additional two to three years of advanced residency training. This extensive post-graduate education centers on subjects like craniofacial biology, growth and development, and the biomechanics of tooth movement.
The specialized knowledge gained allows them to diagnose and create comprehensive treatment plans for issues such as crowded teeth, gaps, or improper bites. Their practice involves the application and adjustment of orthodontic appliances, including traditional braces, clear aligners, and retainers. Orthodontic appointments focus on hardware adjustments, wire changes, and monitoring tooth movement toward the final alignment goals. Their expertise is limited to the physical positioning of the teeth and supporting structures, not the prophylactic cleaning of the tooth surfaces.
The Primary Role of the General Dentist and Hygienist
The responsibility for routine teeth cleaning and general oral health maintenance rests with the general dentist and the dental hygienist. The dental hygienist is a licensed professional primarily focused on preventive care. During a typical visit, the hygienist performs scaling, meticulously removing hardened plaque and tartar (calculus) from the tooth surfaces both above and below the gumline. They then polish the teeth and often apply fluoride treatments to strengthen the enamel and prevent decay. The general dentist examines the mouth for signs of decay, gum disease, or other oral pathologies, performing restorative procedures like fillings or extractions as needed. This division of labor ensures that while the orthodontist moves the teeth, the general dental team keeps them healthy and structurally sound.
Essential Dental Care While Wearing Orthodontic Appliances
Wearing fixed orthodontic appliances, such as braces, significantly increases the importance of diligent oral hygiene. Brackets and wires create numerous small areas where food particles and bacterial plaque can become trapped, making effective cleaning more difficult. If plaque is not consistently removed, it can lead to gingivitis, enamel demineralization, and permanent white spot lesions around the brackets.
Achieving a thorough clean requires specialized tools beyond a standard toothbrush and floss. These tools complement manual brushing and flossing:
- Floss threaders or pre-cut orthodontic floss to maneuver beneath the archwire and clean between teeth.
- Interdental brushes, sometimes called “proxy brushes,” are also useful for cleaning around the brackets themselves and in tight spaces.
- Water flossers or oral irrigators can be utilized to flush out debris and plaque from hard-to-reach areas.
Because of the heightened risk of plaque accumulation, patients undergoing orthodontic treatment often need to increase the frequency of their professional cleanings. Instead of the typical six-month interval, many general dentists and hygienists recommend appointments every three to four months to ensure the removal of tartar that home care cannot reach. Maintaining this schedule with the general dental team is an absolute necessity to prevent dental disease while the orthodontist works to straighten the teeth.