I Have Braces - Orthodontic Dental Care

Orthodontic appliances increase the risk of the bacterial infection that causes tooth decay and white spot lesions.

Preventing the bacterial infection is imperative to an excellent Orthodontic outcome.

Protect your investment by using products that elevate your pH and provide the protective benefits of fluoride and xylitol.

Stop white spots lesions before they appear!

Braces and clear aligners are a great way to straighten teeth, but can put your teeth at risk of tooth decay. Maintaining good oral hygiene is more difficult with braces. The decay causing acid bacteria can flourish in these difficult to get to locations around the brackets that are bonded to the tooth surface.

The acids produced by these bacteria can not only cause tooth decay, but in the absence of cavities can still cause unsightly “white spot lesions” or areas of demineralized enamel surrounding the brackets. This means that while your teeth will be straight when you finish Orthodontic treatment, they may be irreparably discoloured when the brackets are removed.

During Orthodontic treatment, ask your Dentist or Orthodontist to maintain regular bacterial screening tests, as a build up of decay causing acid bacteria can be identified and treated well before the symptoms become visible.

Cavities
Cavities are the demineralized areas, or the holes, that form in teeth and are the result of a bacterial infection known as caries. This infection takes place when the normal healthy bacteria are replaced by acid-producing bacteria. This shift in bacteria is primarily caused by two things:
Prolonged acidic (low pH) oral environment: contributing factors include a lack of saliva, and or a sugary acidic diet that encourages acid-producing bacteria.
Transmission: this infection is contagious! You can be infected by someone through exchange of saliva.

Drilling and filling has been the traditional method of treating cavities, but it doesn't treat the underlying cause, the bacterial infection. Brushing and flossing has been the traditional method of prevention, but it does not change the pH (acidity) of the oral environment or treat the infection once it exists.

Dental Facts
New dental decay affects up to 5 million Australians each year.
Caries is the single most chronic disease among children.
Hospitalization for dental extractions and restorations are the most common reason for hospital separations for children aged
1-4 years, 5-9 years and 10-14 years than any other reason.

Teenagers

Teenage children have been identified as being at increased risk of dental disease.
Between 40% and 57% of 12–15 year old teenagers had some history of decay in their permanent teeth.
On average 12 year old children had slightly more than one decayed, missing and filled permanent tooth per child, while 15 year old children had two decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth on average.
The 10% of teenagers with the most extensive history of permanent tooth decay had between five and eight permanent teeth affected, which was about 4.5 times the national average.

Pre-Teen Children

Nearly half (48.9%) of 6 year old children had a history of decay in the deciduous (‘baby’) teeth.
The 10% of 4–6 year old children with the most extensive history of deciduous tooth decay had more than nine deciduous teeth affected, which was about 4.5 times the national average.
Source: Dental health of Australia’s teenagers and pre-teen children. The Child Dental Health Survey, Australia 2003–04 (Published 2009)
Australia’s Health 2006, Australia Institute of Health and Welfare

Expert Advice
Visit a dentist or orthodontist who provides "caries risk assessment and bacterial screening", where they evaluate risk factors that can contribute to you getting cavities and offers treatment beyond "drilling and filling".

Limit your intake of sugar/carbohydrates within your diet, but also consider non-sugar containing acidic beverages such as diet and sports drinks, juices, coffee, tea, sparkling water, alcohol, etc.

Consider the acidity, the pH, of the dental products you are using.
Do they neutralize your mouth or drive your pH down?
Not all products are the same!
Don't just brush and floss......neutralize your mouth from harmful acids!

Understand that fluoride can be important, but is used to primarily remineralize the enamel and make it stronger. Fluoride can help treat the symptoms, but fluoride's effectiveness at stopping the bacterial infection has limits.

Xylitol is a very effective agent for limiting the acids produced by bacteria and is available in a variety of chewing gums, mints, oral rinses and toothpastes. Xylitol has been shown to make fluoride more effective.

For more information on caring for your teeth while in braces see the recommendations from Australian Society of Orthodontists.