What is decalcification and how do I prevent it?

Avoiding white spots with braces

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"I've heard that you can get white spots with braces. How can I avoid this?"

During orthodontic treatment, white spots can develop if plaque is allowed to remain around the brackets and along the gum line. Good oral hygiene is critical to avoid this condition! Once the damage occurs, expensive repairs like bonding and veneers will be the only option!

Your food and drink choices are important as well. Sugar and acid are BIG contributors in the process of decalcification. 

Avoid or limit:

  • Juices and sodas - including diet drinks
  • Sports and energy drinks
  • Sticky foods that cling to brackets
  • Sugary foods like desserts, candy, and even breakfast cereals
  • Starchy food such as potato chips

Continuous sipping or snacking on these items is even worse for your dental health!

Don’t forget, the best drink alternative is water. 

 

How do white spots even happen? 

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Great question! Brackets and bands create “hiding places” for sugar, acid and bacteria to get trapped. If not brushed away, these particles turn into hardened plaque around brackets. Plaque feeds on sugar and produces acid. The acid literally “eats away” at tooth enamel, creating white spots and eventually cavities on the tooth surface! That's right, these "white spots" are actually the beginning of a cavity.

 

Tips & Tricks for Effective Cleaning! 

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Waterflossers such as Waterpiks are popular for good reason. They are very effective at loosening debris and fighting plaque in hard-to-reach areas!

 
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Use the interproximal brush that we gave you! It’s specially designed to reach under the wires and around the brackets for a more thorough cleaning each time you brush.

 
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Regular dental cleanings by your dentist helps reach those hard-to-reach areas and remove plaque. We have special appointments to quickly remove and replace your wires to make your cleanings even more effective! 

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Regularly use fluoride mouthwash such as ACT to strengthen tooth enamel. 

 
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Watch for sensitive, puffy or bleeding gums. These can be warning signs of inflammation, which often means that brushing and flossing aren’t being done effectively enough. 

 
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Feel free to ask for feedback on your brushing. If you aren’t sure how you’re doing, let us know! We are happy to review instructions as many times as you need us to!

Floss - Brush - Rinse!

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Be sure to carefully check:

- Between brackets and gums

- Under top and bottom wires

- Behind upper and lower teeth

How you brush DOES matter!

Use a soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste. Brush with light pressure in a circular motion around each bracket and along the gumline for at least 10 seconds on each tooth. Brush every tooth slowly! Angle the bristles of your toothbrush between the braces and the gumline to remove food particles around each bracket. Don’t forget to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Parents, you may need to monitor children’s brushing and flossing routines and help them if needed! Encourage them to brush while looking in the mirror. This can help train them to focus on each tooth.

Don't forget, at McKinney Orthodontics, our team wants to help you achieve a straight AND healthy smile! Ask us anytime for instructions or feedback on your dental hygiene. We are here to support you!