Braces and Beyond: Why Routine Cleanings Still Matter During Orthodontic Treatment

If your child is wearing braces, you’re probably juggling adjustment appointments, rubber bands, and maybe even the occasional broken bracket. But here’s something many parents don’t realize: orthodontic visits don’t replace routine dental cleanings and checkups.

At The Pediatric Dental Team in Philadelphia, we’re proud to offer both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics under one roof. And when it comes to keeping your child’s smile healthy during braces, both departments play a critical role.

Let’s break down why regular dental visits are essential—even when your child is seeing the orthodontist every few weeks.

Orthodontic Care Is Not Preventive Dental Care

Braces are designed to move teeth into better alignment. Your child’s orthodontist is focused on:

• Monitoring how the teeth are shifting
• Adjusting wires and brackets
• Ensuring bite alignment is progressing correctly
• Addressing appliance issues

But orthodontic care doesn’t involve professional cleanings, cavity checks, or gum evaluations. That’s where your pediatric dentist comes in.

Skipping cleanings while your child is in braces leaves them vulnerable to plaque buildup, gingivitis, decalcification, and even cavities—issues that can compromise both their oral health and the outcome of orthodontic treatment.

Braces Make Oral Hygiene More Challenging

Even the most diligent brushers and flossers struggle to keep teeth squeaky clean with brackets and wires in place. Braces create extra nooks and crannies where food particles and bacteria can hide—and over time, that can lead to serious issues.

Common oral health concerns we see in patients with braces include:

• White spot lesions (decalcification) from poor plaque control
• Swollen or bleeding gums due to gingivitis
• Cavities between or around brackets
• Bad breath caused by trapped debris
• Tartar buildup that only a professional cleaning can remove

Routine cleanings every 3–6 months allow our dental team to remove plaque and tartar from these hard-to-reach places, reducing the risk of complications.

Early Detection Saves Smiles

One of the most important aspects of routine checkups is early detection. If a cavity or infection is spotted early, we can address it before it becomes a bigger—and more expensive—problem.

Untreated dental issues can delay orthodontic progress, and in some cases, even require removing the braces to resolve the problem. Maintaining regular dental checkups ensures your child stays on track with their treatment plan and finishes with both a straighter and healthier smile.

The Benefits of Coordinated Care Under One Roof

At The Pediatric Dental Team, we’re uniquely equipped to provide both pediatric dental care and orthodontics in one convenient location. That means:

• Your child can see their pediatric dentist and orthodontist on the same day
• Both teams communicate directly about your child’s progress and needs
• We can create a custom preventive care plan tailored to their orthodontic treatment
• You save time, avoid extra trips, and ensure your child gets truly comprehensive care

This integrated model is ideal for busy families in our community—and we’re proud to offer it right here in Philadelphia.

How Often Should Kids in Braces See the Dentist?

For most patients in braces, we recommend:

• Cleanings and checkups every 3–4 months instead of the standard six
• Extra fluoride treatments to help prevent enamel weakening
• Sealants on molars to protect chewing surfaces from decay
• More frequent hygiene evaluations if we see signs of inflammation or poor brushing

These visits are short, comfortable, and absolutely worth it. And our friendly team makes them as fun and stress-free as possible—braces and all.

What Parents Can Do at Home

While professional care is essential, good daily habits make a huge difference. Encourage your child to:

• Brush twice a day for 2 minutes with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste
• Floss daily using floss threaders or orthodontic flossers
• Use interdental brushes or a water flosser to clean around brackets
• Rinse with an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash after brushing
• Avoid sticky, sugary snacks that feed bacteria and damage brackets

If your child needs a refresher on how to brush around their braces, our dental hygienists are always happy to demonstrate.

A Word About White Spots

White spot lesions are one of the most common post-braces complaints we hear—and they’re entirely preventable. These chalky, opaque areas on the teeth are caused by enamel demineralization, often due to plaque sitting around the brackets too long.

Routine cleanings, proper hygiene, and professional fluoride applications can significantly reduce the risk of white spots—so your child finishes treatment with a smile they’re proud to show off.

What If My Child Is Wearing Invisalign or Clear Aligners?

Great question! Even though Invisalign is removable, it doesn’t eliminate the need for checkups. In fact, aligners can trap bacteria against the teeth if they’re not kept clean. We still recommend regular cleanings and exams for kids in clear aligners—just as we do for traditional braces.

Keeping It All in Perspective

Orthodontics is an investment—of time, energy, and finances. But straight teeth alone don’t guarantee a healthy smile. Regular cleanings and checkups ensure that when the braces come off, your child’s smile is not only beautifully aligned but also cavity-free and strong for years to come.

Book Your Child’s Next Cleaning Today

If your child is in braces and hasn’t had a cleaning in a while, don’t wait. Let our team at The Pediatric Dental Team help keep their teeth healthy throughout every phase of their orthodontic journey.

We proudly serve families throughout Philly, offering a full range of pediatric and orthodontic care in one friendly, convenient location.

Call today to schedule your child’s next cleaning—or ask about same-day dental and ortho appointments! A straighter smile should also be a healthier one.