Be Aware of Potential Oral Health Problems

While wearing braces, some patients may struggle with various problems in their dental care. It can be difficult to adjust to the braces and continue to take care of one's teeth. The good news is that many of these problems are entirely avoidable. If you live in the local area, we invite you to call (206) 525-7000 and schedule a consultation to discuss each of these items in detail. In the meantime here is what you need to know :

Gum Disease
While wearing braces, patients throughout Washington and elsewhere, are at a greater risk for developing gum disease. This condition typically occurs as a result of bacteria building up along the gum line. Patients may experience inflammation, bleeding and irritation as the bacteria becomes trapped in the gums. If left untreated, the condition may worsen to the point that the gums start to recede and pockets form in the gum tissue. This can lead to further irritation, bone loss and decay. People wearing braces are at a particular risk for this condition because of how difficult it is to clean around the gums. Dr. Lovrovich can show you how to properly clean your teeth in order to prevent gum disease.

Cavities
Since it is difficult to clean teeth while wearing braces, there is an increased risk for getting a cavity. We understand the increased risk may frighten people away from braces, but we have the tools to help you keep clean teeth during this process. The metal brackets and wires placed onto your teeth create spaces where food, bacteria and plaque can easily become trapped. At Lovrovich Orthodontics, we will recommend that patients use special tools to brush around their brackets and take extra time to make sure that teeth get as clean as possible. Getting your teeth cleaned on a regular basis is another way to prevent cavities.

Staining
Staining is one of the common problems that can occur with braces. Food can gather around the brackets, staining the teeth when a patient does not remove it quickly. Since it can be difficult to clean teeth with braces, many people will end up with a white spot where the bracket was. Thus, the rest of the tooth will look yellow in comparison. This problem is even more common with children since it is harder for them to take care of their teeth and braces. We recommend that adults have a teeth whitening procedure after getting braces taken off in order to remove any stains that have developed during the course of the treatment.

Bad Breath
Bad breath is a common problem that people throughout Washington struggle with. Typical causes include the food that you eat, along with an infection or poor oral hygiene. In addition to staying away from too much garlic, we recommend that patients have their teeth cleaned several times a year in order to remove plaque and bacteria that could be causing the smell. People wearing braces or an oral appliance need to be careful to brush thoroughly because things like a retainer can easily hold onto smells.

Demineralization
Dr. Lovrovich helps patients to avoid common problems with braces and demineralization is a problem near the top of the list. This condition can occur due to acid attacking the teeth. People that suffer from acid reflux or eat foods that are high in acid content are at the greatest risk for this occurring. Demineralization results in white, scar-like marks forming on the teeth near where the bracket once was. This can also create extreme sensitivity since the enamel is broken down, leaving both dentin and nerve endings exposed.

Loose Bracket
As an orthodontist, we find that many of our patients will get a loose bracket at some point during their treatment. The brackets are secured to the teeth using a resin composite. When eating hard foods like nuts, the bracket can become loose or even pop off. This can lead to severe discomfort for the surrounding cheeks. We suggest using a special wax that can be placed around and on top of the bracket until you can get to our office. This will help you to remain comfortable. We can explain more about the wax product when you visit our office.

Broken Wire
A broken wire tops the chart of common problems with braces. By eating something hard, you can cause your wire to become loose. When it does, it may poke you in the cheek or other areas of your mouth, causing severe discomfort. While it may be tempting to, Dr. Lovrovich recommends that you do not cut the wire on your own; wait until you come into our office to deal with the loose wire. That way there is no risk of it accidentally getting swallowed.

Broken Rubber Bands
This is a simple one and if the rubber bands surrounding your brackets become loose, schedule an appointment to have them replaced. While it is quick and easy to do so, a professional must complete the process quickly before the wire or brackets become impacted.

Loose Bands or Spacers
Bands and spacers help make the necessary room for teeth to move into the right position. From time to time, they can get loose due to what a person eats. Only an orthodontist can secure them in place or replace them entirely. Some patients may try to take care of this on their own and only create more problems in the process.