Forget to Brush Teeth With Braces? You Could See Spots!

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to brush and floss your teeth regularly, especially with braces. We’re dentists and orthodontists, so it’s kind of our thing. But it’s also important because we don’t want you seeing spots — and seeing red — after your braces are removed. 

What happens if you don’t brush your teeth with braces? Not brushing your teeth with braces can lead to all kinds of nasty things, from white spots on your teeth to cavities and even infections and delays in your braces treatment. At Woodhill Dental Specialties, we’ve seen what can happen to teeth after braces that were not brushed properly. That’s why we keep insisting on proper brushing and flossing. If you’re having trouble with that, let us help you! We have a few tips that can make your brushing and flossing with braces much easier. 

What Is the Proper Way to Brush and Floss With Braces?

Brushing and flossing with braces can be a challenge sometimes. How do you get dental floss around all those wires and brackets? Won’t those brackets tear up your toothbrush? We get it, but we also know there are tools out there that can make it easier to brush and floss with braces. 

If your manual toothbrush isn’t doing the job, try an electric one. They operate on batteries and provide more scrubbing power than a manual toothbrush. They often make it easier to get to plaque and food particles on and around brackets, as well as under your archwires. Electric toothbrushes are available for adults and for children, so they can be used to prevent cavities in kids and adults. 

What about flossing? Yes, that does seem to be a tough one, but there are ways around and under those wires. Try a floss threader! It looks like a big sewing needle with a giant eye, but it’s a very thin plastic. You thread your dental floss through the eye, then slide the floss threader over or under your archwire and between your teeth. Then you can floss as normal. 

You can also use a water flosser when you’re not using dental floss, but make sure you use regular dental floss at least once a day. Water flossers are great for extra protection, but they lack the scrubbing power of regular dental floss, which is why they shouldn’t be used as a substitute. 

These tools can help you brush and floss better with braces, which can prevent decalcification (white spots) and tooth decay. 

What Are Those White Spots?

What are the white spots on teeth we keep mentioning? It’s called decalcification, and it’s just as it sounds. Calcium and other minerals are removed from your enamel by bacteria in plaque. Over time, that removal causes the white spots, which are actually weak spots in the enamel. Left alone, those white spots could develop into cavities. 

White spots sometimes form around brackets of braces because the patient doesn’t brush around them as well. That’s why an electric brush is better for braces, because the rotating action can get closer and scrub better around the brackets, preventing white spots. 

Whtie spots can form with or without braces. Braces don’t cause the white spots — lack of proper oral hygiene does. That means you can get white spots with clear aligners or with no treatment at all. We know it can be tough to encourage regular brushing for children and especially teenagers with braces, but it’s important for them to brush regularly to get the best results possible. 

Other things can cause white spots on your teeth, even if you brush and floss regularly. Poor diet with a lack of proper nutrition, chronic drymouth, or a thinning of the enamel called enamel hypoplasia can cause white spots. If you see these spots on your teeth, check with your dentist or doctor. They may signal an underlying condition that needs to be addressed. 

How Do I Prevent White Spots on Teeth?

We’ve explained how and why poeple with braces get white spots on teeth. Here are a few tips on keeping those spots off your teeth before, during, and after braces. 

• Brush and floss regularly: Brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time, and floss with dental floss once a day. If possible, brush after every meal. 
• Use the right tools: Use an electric toothbrush to get more plaque off your teeth and get around your braces easier. Use a floss threader to floss properly. Consider using a water flosser before brushing during those times you don’t use regular dental floss to get around brackets and between teeth.  
• Use a fluoride toothpaste: The fluoride in the toothpaste will strengthen your enamel. Just don’t eat or drink for at least half an hour after brushing, so the fluoride has time to work properly.
• Use a fluoride mouthwash: Mouthwash can provide extra enamel protection and reduce drymouth. As with toothpaste, wait half an hour after using it to eat and drink.
• Clean your clear aligners: Make sure you rinse your clear aligners and brush your teeth before putting your clear aligners into your mouth. Otherwise, they can trap plaque against your teeth and allow it to weaken your enamel, creating white spots. 
• See us regularly: Keep your regular visits to the dentist and orthodontist. We will be able to spot any problems that may arise, including poor hygiene. 
• Maintain a nutritional diet: Good nutrition keeps your teeth strong. A high-sugar diet leads to more plaque and tooth decay, while a low-sugar diet reduces your chances of tooth decay. 
• Check with your doctor: If you are experiencing odd symptoms such as chronic drymouth, weakening of the enamel or other signs of nutritional issues, check with your doctor. Certain medications can cause dry mouth and other symptoms. It may be possible to adjust those medications to relieve symptoms and protect your dental and overall health.

Braces Treatment in Dallas, TX

White spots on teeth can be prevented, whether you wear braces or not. Woodhill Dental Specialties can provide braces or clear aligners treatment and general dentistry treatment. If you want more information, schedule an appointment with Woodhill Dental Specialties in our Dallas, TX, or Rockwall, TX, office. We can help you keep your teeth strong and beautiful!