How Often Will I Need To See The Dentist?

Once a person is under the care of the orthodontist it is usually not necessary for them to see their dentist unless they see them to care for cleanings and decay rather than the orthodontist. This is because the orthodontist takes over complete care of the teeth while the bite or alignment is being corrected and this will include cleanings and fillings.

Having braces makes the care different than visiting the dentist without braces, because there are arch wires; the appliances adhered to the teeth with a special type of glue. The frequent visits that give the orthodontists a better knowledge of the teeth over what the dentist had seen prior to the braces being placed on the teeth. These visits will include having the braces adjusted, having x-rays taken and the general health of the teeth checked, this is done by the orthodontist to watch the movement of the teeth.

Seeing the dentist is usually done twice a year to have the teeth checked and cleaned. This is to have any cavities filled and the cleaning will remove any stains and tarter that has built up on the teeth because not only can this make the teeth look bad it can also promote decay. Even while having braces on the teeth they need to be properly cleaned because there are many new places for bacteria to hide that can cause tooth decay. Once the braces are off the dentist is the person that will be in charge of teeth health while the orthodontist will maintain the alignment and proper bite.