What are the chances I have tooth decay under my braces?!
Question:
What are the chances I have tooth decay under my braces?
I have had braces for about 2 years now and I will probably be getting them off within the next half year or so. I'm 15 and I admit that probably about 70% of the days I've had them I havn't brushed more than once a day, which was in the mornings. Now however I am brushing in the morning, when I get home from school, and when I go to bed. I was curious about what the chances are that I might have some tooth decay under my braces? My mother works at a school and one of the students there got his braces off the other day and he had tooth decay because he only brushed once a day, this is what really made me face reality that i could have tooth decay and not know it. Also, if I keep brushing right is there a way to fix whatever damage might have been done by simply brushing?
Answers:
I think at this point in your life you don't have tooth decay but brushing once a day, whether or not you have braces, is a good way to get tooth decay. Right now, I think your teeth might be a little stained and your teeth might be a little whiter where the brackets are when you get them off but nothing to extreme. I 've had braces on for about 20 months and I had the same concern. I have an electric toothbrush (oral-b triumph) and I've found that it gets my teeth & braces cleaner than a manual toothbrush, the only thing is that it's pricey ($90-$120). I also get my teeth cleaned once every 3 months. Continue brushing your teeth often especially after you eat, avoid soda, and floss EVERY night and I think you should be ok!