One of the most important aspects of maintaining oral health during orthodontic treatment is ensuring that your teeth and gums stay clean and healthy. Whether you wear fixed braces on the front or back of your teeth or use Invisalign, regular professional cleanings are a key part of the process. 

It’s easy to focus only on the alignment of your teeth when undergoing orthodontic treatment, but it’s equally important to look after your oral hygiene to avoid complications.

In this post, we’ll explain why professional teeth cleanings are essential during orthodontic treatment and how they contribute to a healthier, more successful orthodontic experience. 

What Happens During a Professional Teeth Cleaning?

A scale and polish is a procedure carried out by our dental hygienist. We use it to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from the surface of your teeth and gums. 

During the procedure, our hygienist will use specialised tools to clean areas often missed during regular brushing and flossing, especially around braces.

When you have braces, brackets and wires can trap food particles and plaque, making it more challenging to keep your teeth clean. Professional cleanings ensure that your teeth and gums are thoroughly cleaned and well-maintained throughout your treatment. 

Even with the best home care, it’s difficult to reach all areas of your mouth with a toothbrush alone, so regular cleanings are crucial.

Preventing Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the most common oral health problems, but it can be particularly tricky when undergoing orthodontic treatment. Braces, in particular, create additional nooks and crannies for bacteria to build up, which can lead to plaque accumulation. 

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth, and if it’s not removed regularly, it can harden into tartar.

Tartar is difficult to remove with just brushing and flossing, which is where professional cleanings come in. 

By having professional cleanings during your orthodontic treatment, you can ensure that plaque doesn’t build up around your braces and gums, which helps keep your gums healthy and inflammation-free.

A Brighter Smile

Although you may brush and floss diligently at home, it’s still challenging to reach all areas of your mouth when wearing braces. 

The brackets and wires of traditional braces can create obstacles that make it easy for food particles, bacteria, and plaque to remain stuck in places that are hard to access. Invisalign aligners are a bit easier to clean, but there are still areas where plaque can build up between aligner trays and teeth during wear. 

This plaque can harden to become yellow or brown tartar, leaving you self-conscious about your smile’s appearance. 

Professional cleanings get into all those hard-to-reach areas to remove plaque and tartar you might have missed during your regular routine. Your smile will look cleaner, fresher, and whiter. 

Preventing of Cavities

Cavities are a concern when undergoing orthodontic treatment. The longer plaque sits on your teeth, the more likely it is to lead to tooth decay. When food particles mix with bacteria in the mouth, they produce acids that can weaken tooth enamel, leading to cavities. 

This is especially true when food gets trapped around brackets and wires as it creates a constant source of plaque. 

Regular professional teeth cleanings will remove plaque and tartar that could lead to cavities, making it easier to maintain a cavity-free smile during treatment. 

Additionally, professional cleanings allow you to discuss your oral hygiene routine with our hygienist, who can provide advice tailored to your specific treatment and help you develop effective strategies for keeping your teeth clean.

Keeping Your Breath Fresh

Bad breath is often caused by food particles and bacteria accumulating in the mouth. Braces can make it harder to keep your mouth fresh, as food particles can become trapped around the brackets and wires. If left unchecked, this can lead to a build-up of bacteria, which contributes to foul-smelling breath.

Regular cleaning removes bacteria, plaque, and food particles that can lead to bad breath. Keeping your teeth and gums clean can help maintain fresh breath throughout your treatment, improving your confidence and making the overall experience much more pleasant.

Keeping Your Teeth and Gums Healthy for the Long Term

Orthodontic treatment is not just about achieving a straighter smile— it’s also about ensuring the health of your teeth and gums for the long term. Poor oral hygiene during treatment can lead to several complications, including permanent damage to your teeth and gums. 

Issues like gum recession, tooth decay, and cavities can be much harder to treat once they’ve developed, and in some cases, they can even delay or derail your orthodontic progress.

Committing to professional cleanings during your treatment gives your teeth the best chance of remaining healthy, strong, and damage-free. It helps ensure you’ll enjoy the full benefits of your treatment once your braces are removed, without any lingering oral health issues.

Improving the Success of Your Orthodontic Treatment

Maintaining excellent oral hygiene throughout your orthodontic treatment can directly impact its success. Plaque and tartar build-up can cause cavities and gum disease and interfere with how your braces work. For example, if plaque accumulates around brackets, it can prevent them from bonding properly with the tooth, potentially leading to less effective tooth movement.

When you have a professional cleaning, we’ll ensure your teeth are free from any blockages that could harm your orthodontic progress. A clean and healthy mouth helps ensure that your braces or aligners work effectively and that your treatment stays on track.

Dental Hygiene Appointments in London

While orthodontic treatment focuses on straightening your teeth, maintaining good oral hygiene is just as important for ensuring a successful outcome. Professional teeth cleanings during your treatment are vital for preventing gum disease, cavities, and bad breath, as well as maintaining the overall health of your teeth and gums. 

Committing to regular cleanings is an investment in the long-term health of your smile that ensures your orthodontic treatment progresses smoothly and effectively.

Contact us today to book your next hygiene appointment.