Anyone who has had braces knows that orthodontics requires discipline from the patient as well as tolerance for pain when the doctor tightens the wire. This discipline includes going to the dentist for scheduled appointments and always cleaning your teeth, braces and mouth after every meal, whether they are metal, ceramic or plastic.
However, many patients still have problems with tooth decay, gingivitis, or white spots on their teeth. What causes these problems and how can they be prevented? This article has the answers.
- Why are teeth more likely to decay when wearing braces?
- Can gingivitis be an obstacle to orthodontics?
- What causes teeth to become discolored after braces are removed?
“Why are teeth more likely to decay when wearing braces?”
Even people who do not wear braces and brush their teeth every morning and evening can still have tooth decay. Since our mouths have various types of appliances stuck like a net to catch food particles, it is not strange that patients with braces have a higher chance of tooth decay.
Of course, good oral hygiene plays a key role in preventing tooth decay, but it’s even better if we understand the four main components of the tooth decay process.
- Oral bacteria are living things that will live with our mouths from birth until death. Therefore, we need to clean our mouths regularly to control the number of bacteria so that it does not become excessive. Because if bacteria in the mouth. Are left for a long time. It will develop into tartar, the cause of gum disease and periodontitis.
- Food: Preventing tooth decay starts simply by controlling starchy and sugary foods. In our mouths, there is an enzyme call amylase. That breaks down starch into sugar. Which is food for bacteria. When bacteria eat it, it breaks it down into acid that destroys teeth, which is the cause of tooth decay.
- Time: The above process of tooth decay depends on time, so if we clearly limit the time of meals, do not snack or sip on sweet drinks all the time, it will help eliminate the time variable and the risk of tooth decay will decrease.
- Teeth: Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste will help strengthen your teeth and make them less likely to decay. Even though your teeth are the strongest bone in your body, fluoride helps strengthen your teeth, making them less likely to decay.