If you have Invisalign® or braces, should you continue visiting your dentist every 6 months for professional cleanings? Can your dentist still clean your teeth if you’re wearing braces?
Dental health is very important to us at Wall Orthodontics! You’ll find our team out and about in the community, educating our local students about dental hygiene and doing our part to help our community smile beautifully and brilliantly.
That said, let’s dive in. Here’s everything you need to know about dental cleanings with Invisalign or braces:
TLDR: Do I still need to visit my dentist if I have braces?
- Yes, you still need to visit your dentist every 6 months (or as often as recommended by your dentist) during orthodontic treatment.
- Dentists can clean around braces using special tools and techniques — no worries!
- Invisalign is even easier; just pop out your aligners for your cleaning.
- Oral hygiene matters more than ever with braces or aligners: brush after meals and keep up your regular cleanings for the best results.
Teeth Cleaning Before Getting Braces or Invisalign
Should you have your teeth cleaned prior to your first orthodontist appointment?
Before you begin treatment, it’s important that your teeth and gums are in tip-top shape. We adhere to the American Dental Association’s recommendations that you receive a professional teeth cleaning every six months to maintain your healthy teeth. That being said, we highly recommend receiving one within six months of getting your braces placed or the start of your Invisalign treatment!
Do orthodontists clean teeth?
While we’ll do a quick surface cleaning before placing your braces, it’s at all no substitute for a professional dental cleaning. Our team may lightly clean your teeth as part of the bonding process or during treatment when needed—but this is just to prep for your appliances. For a truly thorough clean, nothing replaces a visit to your dentist and hygienist!
And don’t forget—part of the Wall Orthodontics Experience includes access to our in-office brushing station, so you can freshen up your smile before your appointment or while you’re waiting for a wire upgrade!
While we’re transforming your smile, continue visiting your dentist every six months (or as frequently as your dentist requests) for professional deep cleanings! Your dentist will clean hardened plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line, monitor your gum health, and ensure that you don’t have any cavities.
Your regular orthodontic check-ins and your regular dental cleanings are both essential for creating a beautiful, healthy smile.
Can you get your teeth cleaned with braces on?
Yes! Your orthodontic treatment shouldn’t impact your dental health. Your regular cleanings are as important as ever. With any type of braces, plaque and tartar are still building up as they would without braces.
Your dentist has performed a number of dental cleanings with braces and has taken care of plenty of other patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Dentists are prepared for this! They have special dental tools that work around brackets to remove hardened plaque from the surfaces and edges of your brackets.
Your dentist knows how to floss between your teeth and archwires effectively, without damaging your appliances. In some cases, we may temporarily remove your archwires if your dentist needs to reach a certain area.
Teeth cleaning with braces may take a little longer than when you didn’t have braces, but it’s important that your dentist has time to clean your teeth thoroughly.
Can you get x-rays with braces?
Yes you can! You should have x-rays taken regularly, once a year in fact. Although your braces are made of metal brackets and wires, they’re safe to undergo x-rays.
Routine x-rays are important for detecting tooth decay (cavities) that may not be apparent at first glance.
How often should I clean my teeth with braces?
Ideally, you’ll brush your teeth after each meal or snack to keep your braces debris-free. This is the best (and easiest) way to prevent bacteria buildup and ensure beautiful results at the end of your treatment.
It’s a good idea to carry a braces care kit when you’re at school or work, with a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste, or disposable mini brushes for a quick and convenient brushing.
We recommend that our patients use the Oral B i-O™ electric toothbrush. With a rounded brush head and advanced technology, this toothbrush can deep clean all edges of your brackets. Check out our Oral Hygiene Tips page for a video on the ideal brushing technique with braces!
How to Prepare for Teeth Cleanings with Invisalign
Dental cleanings are easy with Invisalign! You simply remove your clear aligners for your regular dental cleanings. You may have attachments or buttons with your clear aligners, but these are easy for your dentist to clean around.
When cleaning your teeth during clear aligner treatment at home, you’ll remove your aligners to brush your teeth and floss your teeth, so you won’t have to make many adjustments to your oral care routine.
Our Oral Hygiene Tips page has steps on how to clean Invisalign too!
Have more questions about dental cleaning with braces or Invisalign?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We’re here to guide you through orthodontic treatment and ensure that you achieve beautiful results designed to last a lifetime.
If you haven’t begun your smile transformation yet, get started today! Dr. Wall and our team welcome you to Wall Orthodontics in Statesboro with a complimentary consultation.
Our Statesboro orthodontic office is conveniently located at 1512 Brampton Ave in Statesboro, GA 30458, just east of the Veterans Memorial Parkway.
