20 Feb Can Braces Cause Cavities?
Along with regular trips to the dentist, daily brushing and flossing should be enough to prevent cavities. But if you have braces, it can be difficult to keep your teeth clean, and tooth decay may become a problem. If any food gets trapped under your braces, it could start to cause cavities.
Getting braces will eventually help prevent cavities, because straightening your teeth makes brushing and flossing more effective. However, until the time your braces come off, you’ll need to take a few extra precautions.
How to Prevent Cavities When You Have Braces
Your braces aren’t going to give you cavities, as long as you pay close attention while brushing and flossing and be careful of the foods you eat. If any food gets trapped underneath your braces, it could cause stains or even cavities.
That’s why you need to avoid things like popcorn (because the hulls could get stuck under your braces) and sticky things like dried fruit or chewing gum that can get trapped in the wires. You should also avoid eating tough or crunchy foods that damage your braces—if your braces snap, they could scratch your tooth enamel and pave the way for cavities.
If there’s anything stuck in your braces that you can’t easily remove, you should see your oral hygienist for a cleaning. They’ll be able to remove the debris without damaging your braces or your teeth. Professional cleanings also help prevent cavities by removing the plaque and tartar that cause them. Scheduling an extra cleaning or two during the course of your orthodontic treatment is always a good idea.
You Can Eat and Brush Normally with Invisalign
If you’re worried about braces giving you cavities, clear aligners might be a better fit for you. Although braces are necessary for some of the more severe cases, Invisalign can treat most orthodontic issues. With removable aligners, it’s easier to keep your teeth clean, and you can brush and floss without using any special tools. And since you take them out to eat, you don’t have to restrict your diet—you won’t have to worry about food getting caught in your braces or snapping a wire.
That being said, there are some lifestyle adjustments you’ll need to make with Invisalign as well. You’ll have to remember to take them out whenever you eat or drink anything but water. You will need to add cleaning your aligners to your daily oral care routine. And you’ll have to be strict with yourself about wearing your aligners for the recommended 20-22 hours each day. This might mean a little less snacking, or cutting back on coffee and soda for a while.
Invisalign Orthodontic Treatments in Prescott, Arizona
Braces aren’t the only option! If you’re interested in straightening your teeth, come to Prescott Dentistry for an Invisalign consultation. Clear aligners can correct all the same problems as braces, including crooked teeth, gaps, underbites, overbites, and more. Find out if Invisalign will work for you—contact us to schedule an appointment today.
Photo by Atikah Akhtar on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 2/5/25.