Should You Still Go to the Dentist When You Have Braces?

Regular dental visits don't take a back seat just because you're in orthodontic treatment. You still need to visit your dentist every six months, or more frequently if cleaning around brackets has proven difficult. Your orthodontist tracks alignment; your dentist keeps an eye on everything treatment doesn't cover.

If you had your braces in Culver City, this distinction matters more than most people realize. Both providers play different roles — and skipping either one puts your results at risk in ways the other simply can't catch.

Dentist vs. Orthodontist With Braces: Do You Need Both?

If you've ever wondered exactly how a dentist and orthodontist differ, the short answer is: entirely — and you need both while in braces.

The orthodontist's job stays within a narrow lane: adjusting wires, watching how teeth shift, and confirming your bite is progressing as planned.

Your dentist, on the other hand, handles the health of your mouth as a whole — checking for cavities, monitoring gum tissue, taking X-rays, and performing professional cleanings.

Braces don't transfer those responsibilities. One provider straightens; the other protects. Assuming your orthodontist covers everything is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes patients make.

Why Dental Visits Don’t Stop

Orthodontic checkups are not a substitute for dental checkups. Your orthodontist is watching your tooth movement, not scanning for decay or measuring gum pocket depth.

Here's what only your dentist is trained and equipped to do during your braces treatment:

• Detect and treat cavities that form around brackets and under wires
• Monitor early gum disease, which braces accelerate if plaque isn't controlled
• Perform professional cleanings that reach areas your toothbrush and floss simply can't
• Take diagnostic X-rays to catch problems developing beneath the surface

Those aren't overlapping services — they're entirely separate ones. At United Dental Care in Culver City, we coordinate directly with your orthodontist so nothing slips through the cracks during your treatment.

What Happens If You Skip the Dentist While in Braces?

Missed dental appointments during orthodontic treatment carry consequences that go beyond your gums — they can chip away at the very results you're putting time and money into.

Here's what's actually at stake when routine care gets skipped:

• White spot lesions and decalcification — permanent dull patches that appear on enamel once brackets are removed
• Hidden cavities that form under plaque buildup around brackets, often painless until they worsen
• Gum inflammation and swelling that makes treatment uncomfortable and harder to manage
• Prolonged treatment time when dental issues force your orthodontist to pause progress
• Staining and discoloration that surface once braces come off, leaving uneven tone across teeth

Every one of these outcomes is preventable. Routine dental visits during treatment are the simplest way to protect both your oral health and your orthodontic investment.

How Often Should You See the Dentist With Braces?

Most people in braces should see their dentist every six months — but every three to four months is smarter if you're finding it hard to keep plaque under control or if you've had cavities in the past.

That's two to four appointments a year. Over the course of treatment, the time commitment is minimal — the protection it offers is not. If you're coming in from Culver City, coordinating dental cleanings with your orthodontic schedule is more straightforward than most people expect. One quick call can align both calendars without much back and forth.

Does Insurance Cover Dental Visits While You Have Braces?

In most cases, yes — dental and orthodontic benefits are separate, meaning your routine cleanings and exams are often still covered even while you're actively in braces treatment.

Many patients assume that because orthodontics is being billed, their dental plan is somehow paused or limited. That's rarely how it works. Your preventive dental benefits typically run independently, and cleanings during braces are exactly the kind of care those benefits are designed to cover.

That said, every plan is different. Before assuming you can't afford both, verify what your specific dental insurance coverage includes. Our Culver City team at United Dental Care can help you check your benefits before you book — no guesswork needed.

How to Clean Your Teeth Properly With Braces

Caring for your teeth in braces requires a bit more effort than usual — but with the right tools in your corner, it becomes second nature quickly.
Work these into your daily habits:

• Interdental or orthodontic brushes — get into the tight spaces around brackets and along the gumline that a regular brush misses
• Water flosser — drives water between teeth and beneath wires to clear out what floss alone leaves behind
• Floss threaders or orthodontic floss — thread beneath the wire to clean every contact point without skipping
• Fluoride mouth rinse — builds enamel resistance and lowers the chance of white spot lesions forming
• Brush after meals, not just at night — especially after anything starchy or sweet that lingers around brackets
• Cut back on sugary and sticky foods — they grip brackets and feed the plaque you're already working hard to manage

The better your home care, the faster your professional cleanings go — and the smoother your overall treatment stays from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my dentist remove my braces?
No — only your orthodontist removes braces. Dentists and orthodontists operate in separate lanes — bracket removal belongs entirely to your orthodontist, not your dental team.

Should I get a cleaning before starting braces?
Yes — it's a step most orthodontists actively encourage. A thorough cleaning beforehand means your brackets go on over a clean surface, rather than sealing existing buildup against your enamel from the start.

What if I get a cavity while in braces?
It's more manageable than most people fear. In the majority of cases, decay can be treated without taking your braces off completely. Depending on where it develops, your orthodontist may need a quick heads-up — but finding it early is what keeps it a minor fix rather than a major disruption to your treatment.

Can I switch to a new dentist while I have braces?
Absolutely — you're not locked in anywhere. If you're on the Westside and looking for a new dental home during your treatment, you're always welcome to come in as a new patient in Culver City.

Do braces cause tooth decay?
Braces themselves don't cause decay — plaque does. Braces simply make it harder to clean every surface thoroughly, which is why consistent home care and professional cleanings are non-negotiable during treatment.

One Step Worth Taking — During Braces

Routine dental care during braces doesn't have to be complicated — it just has to happen. Whether you're about to start orthodontic treatment or already mid-way through, a professional cleaning is a smart next step.

Book your cleaning with United Dental Care in Culver City and keep your treatment moving in the right direction.