Cavities While Using Braces: Is It Possible?

If you’re considering braces or have already started treatment, you may have one big question on your mind: “Can I still get cavities while wearing braces?”

It’s a common concern among patients of all ages. This orthodontic treatment is meant to improve your smile, so it’s natural to wonder if it could cause problems like cavities.

Yes, you can get cavities with braces, but it’s something that you can manage with regular care and choosing the right habits.

At Woolaver Orthodontics, we help our patients maintain their dental health who are considering braces in Ahwatukee Phoenix and surrounding areas. In this article, we’ll explain how you can get cavities while using braces and what you can do to keep your smile healthy.

How Braces Can Cause Cavities

Braces don’t cause cavities directly, but they make it easier for food and plaque to build up around your teeth, creating the perfect environment for cavities to form.

1. Plaque Accumulation

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that naturally forms on your teeth. Braces have brackets and wires that create nooks and crannies where plaque can hide. If not cleaned properly, plaque turns into acid, which can break down tooth enamel, leading to cavities.

With braces, plaque tends to build up around the brackets and under the wires, which makes brushing and flossing a little trickier than usual.

2. Food Trapping

Braces make it easier for food particles to get stuck between your teeth and around your brackets. The longer it stays there, the more time bacteria have to break down the food into acids that can damage your enamel.

3. Enamel Demineralization

When plaque sits on your teeth, it not only causes cavities but can also lead to demineralization, a process where your tooth enamel loses essential minerals like calcium and phosphate.

This can create visible white spots on your teeth around the braces, which is an early sign of decay. If you don’t catch this early, it can lead to cavities down the road.

Signs You Might Have a Cavity While Wearing Braces

It can be tricky to spot cavities while you have braces, since they often hide behind wires and brackets. Overtime, you will realize discomfort in your teeth, such as:

Tooth Sensitivity: If you feel pain or discomfort when eating hot, cold, or sweet foods, it might indicate a cavity is forming.

Pain When Biting or Chewing: If a tooth is hurting while chewing, especially when pressure is applied, there could be decay present.

White or Dark Spots: Notice any white or brown spots around your brackets? These are signs of early enamel damage or cavities starting to form.

Bad Breath: Persistent bad breath that doesn’t go away after brushing may be a sign of bacteria buildup, which could lead to cavities.

Bleeding or Swollen Gums: Gums that bleed when brushing or look inflamed can be a sign that plaque is building up around your braces, increasing your risk of cavities.

Do I Need to Get My Cavities Filled Before Continuing Braces?

When you get braces, it’s important to start with healthy teeth. If a cavity is detected before or during treatment, it’s best to get it filled as soon as possible.

Filling a cavity early on helps prevent further decay and damage to your tooth. If left untreated, the cavity can worsen, potentially affecting the success of your orthodontic treatment.

What Happens After You Get a Filling?

Once your cavity is filled, there’s usually no need to delay your braces treatment. In most cases, fillings can be done without affecting your orthodontic plan. If necessary, your orthodontist may temporarily remove a bracket or adjust your wires to give your dentist access to the tooth. Once the filling is done, they’ll reattach it and you’ll be good to go.

If the cavity is large or if there are multiple areas of concern, your orthodontist may advise a short delay, but this is rare.

Tips for Managing Cavities While Using Braces

Keeping your teeth clean while wearing braces requires a bit more effort, but it’s worth it for your long-term dental health. Here are some simple but effective tips to prevent cavities:

1. Brush After Every Meal

Brushing is always important, but it’s even more crucial when you have braces. Food can get stuck in the brackets and wires, so brushing after every meal removes plaque and food particles before they can turn into cavities.

Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Spend about 2 minutes brushing your teeth, paying extra attention to the spaces around your brackets and gumline.

2. Floss Every Day

Flossing may seem like a hassle with braces, but it helps in removing the food articles stuck between teeth gaps. Traditional floss can be tricky to use, but floss threaders, super floss, or water flossers make it much easier to clean between your teeth.

3. Use Fluoride Mouthwash

Fluoride mouthwash is a great addition to your oral care routine. It helps to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities by replenishing minerals that might have been lost. Make sure to use a mouthwash that’s alcohol-free and designed for braces wearers.

4. Avoid Sugary Snacks and Drinks

Sugar is the primary food source for the bacteria that cause cavities. Limiting sugary snacks and beverages will reduce the chances of cavities forming. If you can’t brush right after a snack, try rinsing your mouth with water.

5. Keep Up with Regular Dental Visits

Even if you’re seeing your orthodontist regularly, don’t forget about your regular dental check-ups. Your dentist can spot early signs of decay, tartar buildup, or other issues that could affect your oral health during treatment.

Should I Stop My Orthodontic Treatment If I Get a Cavity?

In most cases, you don’t need to stop your orthodontic treatment if you get a cavity. In fact, getting cavities treated is part of ensuring your treatment goes smoothly. Your orthodontist and dentist will work together to make sure everything stays on track.

If a cavity is found during your orthodontic treatment, your dentist may need to temporarily remove a bracket or wire to get to the tooth. Once the filling is in place, your orthodontist will reattach the bracket, and you’ll continue with your braces.

Only in rare cases, such as when the cavity is extensive or there’s an infection, would your orthodontist recommend pausing treatment. Otherwise, most cavities are treated without interrupting your progress.

Start Your Orthodontic Treatment at Woolaver Orthodontics!

A beautiful, healthy smile is within reach. With a little extra care and good habits, you can keep your teeth cavity-free throughout your braces journey. Whether you’re just starting or already wearing braces, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

At Woolaver Orthodontics, we’ve been helping families in Ahwatukee Phoenix achieve their best smiles with personalized, expert care. Contact our orthodontist by scheduling a consultation online today!