Post Orthodontic Decalcifications

Braces are super exciting! So many kids and adults cannot wait to get their smiles perfected with our amazing orthodontic team. But braces are also challenging to take care of, and our team is here for you to prevent having a straight but full of cavities smile.

We have unfortunately seen way too often dental decay formed around the brackets and between the teeth due to inadequate brushing and flossing. Orthodontic decalcifications are white or brown spots that appear most often between the brackets and gums of the teeth since toothbrushes are too large to fit into those spaces easily. Often, those areas also have inflamed and bleeding gums that trap plaque and add to the process of tooth de-mineralization. If plaque stays in those areas for a long time, especially when it is supplemented by acidic drinks such as sodas, juices, or sports drinks, those demineralized areas become permanent and can over time become cavities. Unfortunately, those areas are often on the front teeth and are unsightly once braces are taken off. In addition, lack of flossing during the time of wearing braces leads to cavities between the teeth that cannot be detected on x-rays until the wires are removed.

We know that it is difficult to access teeth when brackets and wires are blocking toothbrushes and floss. That is why our team is dedicated to helping our patients with oral hygiene. Before our pediatric dental team refers patients for orthodontic evaluation, we make sure that kids and teens have excellent oral hygiene habits. We discuss them with parents and kids and if we are not confident, we will recommend waiting until oral hygiene improves before adding the challenge of braces. At the time of placing braces, we supply our patients with samples of orthodontic floss sticks, special toothbrush to help with the tight spots around the wires, and multiple handouts on tips and tricks of brushing with braces. We offer additional dental cleanings and encourage our patients to see us every three, instead of every six months, during their time in braces. For both orthodontic checkups and regular cleanings, we remove the wires and make sure that brushing is reviewed, assessed, and encouraged. If our patients are struggling with oral hygiene, we might resort to leaving the wire out for few weeks to allow better access and healing of the gums before replacing it. In extreme cases, we will even take braces off before treatment is fully completed to prevent decay formation due to poor oral hygiene with brackets and wires.

We truly care about the outcome of orthodontic treatment in a holistic manner. This journey is not just about straight teeth, but about a lifetime of healthy, beautiful, and confident smiles.

Dr. Lindhorst, Dr. Darsey, Dr. Theriot, Dr. Gavri and the Heights Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Team