It's imperative to visit your orthodontist routinely throughout your orthodontic treatment so they can make adjustments and checkup on the progress of your treatment. But, it's also essential to visit your dentist regularly as well. Today, our Burnaby orthodontists discuss why.
Throughout your orthodontic treatment, whether you have Invisalign or braces, you will most likely be attending a fair amount of appointments at your orthodontist's office. This is because your orthodontist needs to evaluate the progress of your treatment on a routine basis to make sure everything is progressing on schedule.
However, You also need to schedule regular appointments with your dentists for hygiene cleanings and checkups during your orthodontic treatment. You may actually find that seeing your dentist more often than normal is beneficial.
The job of an orthodontist is to align and straighten your teeth, as well as provide you with a more healthy and stable bite. They won't be able to complete this task if your oral health is being impacted by gum disease or cavities.
Wearing braces, or even Invisalign can create more crevices on your teeth where food particles, plaque, and debris can get stuck. Even those who are very diligent about brushing and flossing their teeth thoroughly are at a higher risk of developing gum disease or cavities during orthodontic treatment for this exact reason. This makes it essential to see your dentist regularly throughout your treatment.
Your dentist can clean away any excess buildup of tartar or plaque and prevent the development of any problems in the first place. And if there is an arising issue, your dentist will be able to find it early and keep it from becoming worse, helping your orthodontic treatment stay on track.
Your dentist will let you know if they think extra visits during your orthodontic treatment are needed, or if you can keep visiting every six months as normal.