Do Metal Braces Damage Teeth?
When people learn that they need braces, or their children do, they often have a lot of questions. Many patients have concerns about the expected time of treatment with braces, and people also often want to know whether metal braces will damage their teeth. The good news is that braces on their own won’t damage your teeth or the enamel that protects them. It’s very important to follow a few important guidelines during orthodontic treatment, no matter what kind of braces or corrective device you’re using. When these guidelines are observed, patients can expect to complete their orthodontic treatment with teeth that are undamaged and better than they were before.
If people don’t practice good oral hygiene while wearing braces, however, the enamel on the teeth can become damaged. No matter what kind of braces you have, it’s still imperative that you brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after every meal, and you must floss properly once a day. When people don’t take good enough care of their teeth when wearing braces, they can succumb to tooth decay and discoloration, though this is a result of the lack of care more than the braces. An unhealthy diet can damage the teeth whether braces are present or not. When the diet is high in sugars, it promotes bacteria that destroy the dental enamel, and when the diet is high in acids, the enamel on the teeth can erode. Additionally, some foods are more prone to sticking to the braces and damaging the enamel on the teeth. Your orthodontist will give you specific recommendations of foods to avoid in order to maintain your tooth enamel while you wear braces.
Routine professional cleanings are important for patients with braces and without. Because the teeth are harder to clean at home when wearing braces, they are more susceptible to decay, and the overall oral health faces a greater risk. Your dentist may recommend that you have more frequent checkups and cleanings while you’re wearing braces, and it’s important to adhere to these recommendations to protect the health of the teeth. While some people assume that the teeth could sustain damage while the braces are being removed, this is actually very rare.
The short answer to the question of whether metal braces, or any braces, can damage your teeth, is no. Braces themselves won’t damage your teeth, but you need to take responsibility for protecting your teeth to prevent damage from occurring. Your orthodontist will show you how to effectively clean your teeth with specialized tools if you have braces so you can make sure to keep them clean and keep the mouth healthy, and your dentist will play an important role in maintaining the hygiene and health of the mouth as well. Sometimes people like to get their teeth professionally whitened following orthodontic treatment, and, following a thorough cleaning, this can be an effective way to even out any discoloration that does occur, but preventing this discoloration, and preventing other decay and disease, is the ideal scenario.