Risks of Dental Braces

Applying dental braces is generally considered to be a safe procedure but there are some risks associated with their use, which are discussed in more detail below.

Decalcification and Cavities

Over the short-term, dental braces can interfere with the way that patients masticate food. In particular, the small spaces around the teeth created by the braces provide a place for food particles to become trapped and thus lead to a deposit of plaque and bacteria.

This can cause damage to the enamel surface of the teeth, causing discoloration of the teeth or the appearance of white marks known as decalcification. Additionally, it may also lead to tooth decay and gum disease in some cases.

Open mouth showing stainless steel braces. Image Credit: Anatoliy_gleb / Shutterstock
Open mouth showing stainless steel braces. Image Credit: Anatoliy_gleb / Shutterstock

Soft Tissue Injuries

It is relatively common for patients with braces to notice some sensitivity on the inner cheeks, lips and gums where they come into contact with the metal bracket and wires of the braces. This may cause soft tissue injuries in the area. It is possible to reduce pain and irritation in these areas while helping the sensitive spots to heal with proper care and treatment.

Allergic Reaction

Rarely, patients may experience an allergic reaction to the materials used in the dental braces, such as the latex rubber in the elastics or the nickel of the metal braces.

If there is a known allergy, these materials can be avoided; however, if the patient experiences a reaction after the braces have been placed, the braces (or elastics) may need to be removed and replaced with a more appropriate material for the patient.

Mulgrew Orthondontics - Brace Risk

Shorter Root Lengths

As the teeth move through the dental braces treatment procedure, some of the bone in the path of the way the tooth moves dissolves and is replaced with new bone. This can, however, this can result in a permanent loss of length of the root of the tooth, which can reduce the stability of the tooth over the long-term.

Loss of Correction

Some patients may experience a loss of correction of the teeth positioning after the braces have been removed. This is most common for patients who do not closely follow the orthodontist’s instructions for the aftercare of dental braces, particularly wearing the retainer device that helps to maintain the position of the teeth.

Risk Reduction Techniques

There are several things that patients can do to help reduce the risks associated with dental braces.

Good oral care while the dental braces are placed is essential. Patients should be advised to brush their teeth after every meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothbrush whenever possible.

It is also important to rinse the mouth thoroughly to make sure that any pieces of food that may be lodged in the braces are removed.

Many patients find it useful to check their teeth are clean with a mirror. Flossing with a floss threader is also recommended to clean between the braces and under the dental wires.

Diet can also play a considerable role in reducing the risks of dental braces. It can help to reduce the intake of sugary and starchy foods, as these can contribute to the formation of plaque and, consequently, tooth decay. Sticky and hard foods that can adhere to or break the braces should also be avoided.

Finally, regular checkups with the orthodontist help to make sure that the teeth and gums remain healthy and allow timely interventions to be made when necessary.

References

Further Reading

Last Updated: Dec 29, 2022

Yolanda Smith

Written by

Yolanda Smith

Yolanda graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia and has experience working in both Australia and Italy. She is passionate about how medicine, diet and lifestyle affect our health and enjoys helping people understand this. In her spare time she loves to explore the world and learn about new cultures and languages.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Smith, Yolanda. (2022, December 29). Risks of Dental Braces. News-Medical. Retrieved on October 10, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Risks-of-Dental-Braces.aspx.

  • MLA

    Smith, Yolanda. "Risks of Dental Braces". News-Medical. 10 October 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Risks-of-Dental-Braces.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Smith, Yolanda. "Risks of Dental Braces". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Risks-of-Dental-Braces.aspx. (accessed October 10, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Smith, Yolanda. 2022. Risks of Dental Braces. News-Medical, viewed 10 October 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Risks-of-Dental-Braces.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.