Most patients who are having orthodontic treatment are understandably focused on their orthodontic appointments – watching their teeth move and looking forward to the result. Hygiene visits can feel like something to pick up again once treatment is finished. In fact, orthodontic treatment is precisely the time when professional cleaning matters most.
A More Demanding Environment for Your Teeth
Braces and aligners introduce new structures into the mouth that make thorough cleaning more challenging. Fixed braces create areas around brackets and wires that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush alone. With lingual braces, the brackets sit on the inside surface of the teeth – an area that requires a little more care to clean even without braces.
Aligner treatment brings its own considerations. Attachments – small tooth-coloured buttons bonded to the teeth to help the aligners grip and move them more effectively – add further surfaces where plaque can gather and are easy to miss during brushing.
The Risks of Falling Behind
When plaque isn’t removed consistently, it hardens into calculus, which can only be removed by a professional. Over time, this can lead to gum inflammation, bleeding, and the early stages of gum disease. Decalcification – the white spots that can form on the surface of the teeth where plaque has been sitting – is another concern, and one that can affect the appearance of your final result as well as your long-term dental health. Some of these changes can be difficult to reverse, which is why staying on top of hygiene throughout treatment is so important.
What a Hygienist Can Do That Home Cleaning Can’t
A hygienist can reach areas and remove deposits that even a thorough home routine will miss. Professional cleaning removes hardened calculus, clears plaque from around brackets and attachments, and keeps a close eye on how your gums are responding as treatment progresses. Any areas of concern can be picked up early, before they develop into something more significant.
Regular dental check-ups are equally important during this period. Your dentist can identify early signs of decay or other issues that need attention – and keeping up with these appointments ensures your teeth and gums are healthy throughout treatment.
Looking After Your Teeth at Home
A good home routine is the foundation of healthy teeth during treatment. Interdental brushes are particularly effective for cleaning around brackets and between teeth, and a water flosser can help flush out debris from around fixed appliances and attachments. Fluoride mouthwash offers an additional layer of protection, particularly for patients who are prone to white spot lesions. If you have aligners, you’ll need to clean these daily, to prevent bacteria building up against the teeth.
Professional Hygiene with Yana
Yana Mooney is our hygienist at The London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic – known for her gentle approach and her ability to put patients at ease. She sees patients throughout their treatment, offering professional cleaning alongside practical advice on the right tools and techniques for your specific appliance, and keeping a close eye on your gum health along the way.
For patients wearing fixed braces, appointments can be timed so that Dr Chatoo removes your wires beforehand, giving Yana the opportunity to carry out a more thorough clean than would otherwise be possible.
You don’t need to be a patient of ours to book an appointment with Yana – you’re welcome to come and see her even if your orthodontic treatment is being carried out elsewhere.
Get in Touch
If you’d like to book a hygiene appointment with Yana, or find out more about the services available at the clinic, get in touch – we’d be delighted to help.
