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4 Things Braces Wearers Need To Know About Enamel Demineralization

Dentist Blog

Braces are a great way to straighten your teeth and get the smile you've always wanted, but they're not without risks. If you have braces, you may be at risk of developing enamel demineralization, also known as white spot lesions. Here are four things you need to know about this complication. 

What are the signs of enamel demineralization?

If you develop enamel demineralization, you'll notice a milky-white discoloration on some or all of your teeth. This discoloration tends to develop around your brackets, so when your braces come off, you may see a white outline around the area where the brackets were. 

How do braces cause it?

It's not your braces that cause enamel demineralization; it's your oral hygiene habits while you're wearing braces. Enamel demineralization is caused by the plaque that accumulates on your teeth after you eat. If you don't carefully clean around your brackets and wires after you eat, your plaque will remain in these hard-to-reach areas.

The bacteria in your plaque produces acids as they feed, and these acids are big trouble for your teeth. The acids start to break down the surface of your enamel, leading to white discoloration. If this white discoloration isn't treated, cavities will eventually form in those areas. 

Can it be prevented?

To prevent enamel demineralization, you need to take your oral hygiene routine very seriously. Keeping your teeth clean is harder when you have braces, but it can be done. While brushing, you need to carefully brush around all edges of the brackets in addition to all of your tooth surfaces. After you're done brushing, you should be able to clearly see the edges of all of your brackets and the brackets should look shiny.

Flossing is challenging due to the wires, but that doesn't mean that you can skip it. Your orthodontist may recommend using a floss threader to maneuver the floss beneath your wires. You can also use an interdental brush instead of traditional floss to clean between your teeth. Water flossers are also available and may be easier for you; these devices use high-pressured water to clean between your teeth.

How is it treated?

If you develop enamel demineralization, your orthodontist will refer you to a cosmetic dentist for treatment. Many treatments are available to repair the damage, including remineralizing the teeth with fluoride therapy or whitening the teeth to camouflage the white spots.

If you have braces and are worried about enamel demineralization, talk to a local orthodontist (such as Family Dentistry Of Woodstock) about how to prevent it. 

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4 December 2015